Mazda 2 Review

“efforts to slash our output of CO2 by eye-watering amounts will bankrupt our economies in the west, doom the third world to be forever mired in poverty, and make exactly zilch difference to the world’s climate”

As the European Union prepares to ratchet up fuel economy standards until the pips squeak, cars of the future are certainly going to have to be smaller and lighter, and will have to wring out more power from lower capacity engines.

Despite the fact that car manufacturers have made dramatic strides in recent years in raising fuel consumption, (despite a mountain of demands from our European masters to improve safety, which also made cars heavier and less fuel efficient), the E.U is determined to save us from ourselves by raising the price of fuel to levels which make it more of a luxury than a necessity.

They’ve convinced themselves that unless we forego the independence that car, not to mention air, travel gives us, the earth will die. Only a few corrupt, leftie scientists actually believe there is any evidence for this. Most sensible and informed people, and that excludes most politicians in Westminster and Brussels/Strasbourg, not to mention Berlin and Paris, can see that fossil fuels are a disappearing source of energy, that its use should be treated with respect and economy, while research continues to find renewable methods of fuelling our energy needs.

Meanwhile, efforts to slash our output of CO2 by eye-watering amounts will bankrupt our economies in the west, doom the third world to be forever mired in poverty, and make exactly zilch difference to the world’s climate, which may be dramatically colder in 50 years anyway.

Golf carts for the rich
It can’t be long before these fools force the rich into golf-cart like cars, while the rest of us are forced on to public transport which never comes, but which will bankrupt us when and if it ever does arrive.

But there is some hope. If Mazda of Japan’s new Supermini is anything to go by, these frugal and climate-saving machines might be quite exciting to drive as well, for the time being.

The new Mazda2 looks dramatically different from the previous model, and because of its lightweight body and efficient engines is also more environmentally friendly.

The old Mazda2 looked boxy and boring, and was produced in Valencia, Spain, alongside the Ford Fiesta. (Ford of the U.S. owns about 33 per cent of Mazda).

The stylish, wedge-shaped new Mazda 2 small car is much easier on the eye and will be made in Hiroshima, Japan. The new car retains its link with the Ford Fiesta; the basic components of the new Mazda2 - engine, computers, suspension and many body parts, will also be used in the new Fiesta, which will be launched later next year.

More value
Mazda said that a combination of younger people demanding more from their cars, and older buyers trading down, has led to small cars becoming much more competent and providing more value for money. Some higher specification Mazda2s will offer standard features which used to be associated only with upmarket vehicles, including cruise control, lights and windscreen wipers which switch themselves on automatically, electric folding mirrors and MP3 connectors.

The first Mazda 2s will be offered with a choice of 3 petrol engines – 1.3 litre/75 bhp, 1.3 litre/86 bhp, and 1.5 litre/103 bhp. A diesel model, which wasn’t ready for the initial launch, is coming on to the market shortly. That was a strange marketing decision when you consider that in Europe, more than 50 per cent of new cars are now diesel. The diesel is the same as the one used in the previous model, which also finds itself in the front of the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 207 and Citroen C3.

Frugal
Both of the smaller petrol engines can produce average fuel economy of 52.3 miles per gallon (5.4 litres per 100 km), while the most powerful motor can still manage 47.9 mpg (5.9 l/km). Top speeds range from 104 to 117 mph (167 km/h and 188 km/h) and acceleration times from rest to 62 mph-100 km/h from 10.4 seconds to 14.0. The 1.4 litre diesel produces 67 bhp, 65.7 mpg (4.3 l/km) and 114 g/km.

Prices start at £8,499 (€12,100) for the TS model, and equipment increments for the higher specification TS2 and Sport cost £1,500 (€2,100) and £1,800 (€2,500) respectively.

On the roads around Sienna, Italy, the Mazda2 drove well, showing sharp handling on the twisty byways and an ability to cruise quietly at high motorway speeds. Performance felt snappy, even from the base model. Inside the car, quality is good, with smart instruments reminiscent of Mazda’s more expensive MX-5 roadster and RX-8 sports car. The five-speed manual gearbox was top-notch.

Built-in dividers
The car is 4 centimetres (1-1/2 inches) shorter than its predecessor and the boot space is a mediocre 250 litres. Usability is boosted by a hidden load area under the floor of the boot, which has built-in dividers to stop things rattling about. The use of high-tensile steel has cut about a 100 kg (220 lbs) from the overall weight of the Mazda2, that’s about 10 per cent less than the previous model.

The Mazda2 is set to storm the Supermini sector with its combination of terrific looks, great handling, thoughtful design, impressive fuel economy and affordable, comprehensive pricing. There is so much choice in this sector of the market though that price is likely to be the crucial factor when buyers make up their minds.

Neil Winton – November 10, 2007