Test Drive Mazda 2 since 2011 Hatchback
Gorozhan
The Mazda Demio model debuted in Europe at the end of last year, in Japan, it is sold since 1996. The body of the car can be called Hatchback, and a small control, and compact mini-ven, i.e. Micro-Wen - who like. Compact cars in Japan are enjoyed in high demand, and Mazda Demio confidently comes in the number of favorites. Last year, the most popular model - thirtieth (!) Year in a row - turned out to be Toyota Corolla (sold 187.771 Ex.). In second place - Nissan Cube (107.857 Ex.), And on the third - Mazda Demio (102.377 Ex.), The most-selling model of the company.
Similar - small, but roomy - machines are gaining popularity in Europe. The amazing success of Renault Megane Scenic is not in the expense - this car is bigger and higher than the class. But not bad for sale and immediate classmates Demio - Volkswagen Polo, Suzuki Wagon R +, Daihatsu Gran Move and them like (if not cost, this group could be attributed to the Mercedes A-class. A whole market niche appeared, and Mazda hopes that there is enough space in it and for Demio ...
However, the expression machine is from the inside more than outside, when describing DEMIO has to use it. The car seems small, no more than Daewoo Tico (in fact, the DEMIO is half the meter longer), but it is worth falling on the seat, how do you begin to perplex: where does so much place? The knees do not rest in the steering switches, semi-bent in the elbows hands comfortably fall on the ram, switching the transfer or taking care of the handbrake, do not think about the passenger sitting nearby. Even above the head - despite the vertical landing of the driver - ten spaces remain centimeters. After inspection, the car becomes clear what methods were struggled for the volume. First, the smooth floor of the body is noticeably omitted (the clearance of the car, set by the lower point of the power unit, is withstanding the bottom side meters). Secondly, the doors and sidebar of the body are extremely thin and almost vertical (this has increased the living space and allowed to achieve almost the same width of the salon at the floor level and under the ceiling). Thirdly, the thin backrests of the seats, asking for more than a vertical landing (the distance for the feet of the rear passengers and, in addition, in the folded state of the back takes up less space).
The steering column of the adjustment does not have, but you can easily get on the ram - changing the height of the driver's seat cushion. A harsh seat with an exempted backrest seemed not too comfortable. (Running forward, let's say that, trading, you get used to it. And the side support is not needed here, Demio is not for the speed passing of turns.) But what circular review opens with it! The large area of \u200b\u200bglazing and look from heights allow you to perfectly feel the dimensions of the car and confidently park in close places without risk to hook something. Useful vertical windows in the rear racks. It can be seen through them not so much, but it helps help. From the rear seats, the review is even better - the overall sofa is raised relative to the front seats by 60 mm, however, due to the expanses over the heads of passengers. The sofa is shifted by 60 mm forward, increasing the volume and so quite an impressive luggage compartment (679 liters with folded backs), however, at the same time only small passengers can be settled.
The slope of separate sofa backs is adjustable: ahead - to the complete touch of the seat, back to the horizontal position, so that the sitting rear have the ability and lie down. And throwing back the backs of the front seats, you can build - if you suddenly need a whole two-bed bed. (Cargo compartment due to protruding inside wheeled arches, more narrow, rather than passenger, so before you completely leake the back, it will have to sweep out the outer sidewall.)
Side doors swing wide - in open state, they are fixed almost perpendicular to the body, which, in combination with close-mounted chairs, facilitates landing and disembarking. But the back door is unsuccessful. In order to open it, you have to press the larva button at the same time and raise the door - either unthinkable to spread your fingers to reach the postponement, or the other hand. The door rises not very high, hangs over the opening, so to approach the car close, you have to bendered.
Even one glance inside the cargo compartment (with a folded back seat) is enough to forgive everyone. The resulting platform is absolutely even, impressive in the area and has a low loading height. Safety belts, fixed on the floor, can be hidden into special niches - so that they do not interfere with the placement of the bag or did not scratch it. Hide from extraneous eyes The contents of the trunk is designed to be twisted into the roll-shelf, made of thick plastic - if necessary, you can put nonsense objects. When loading the car is higher than the belt, the curtain will have to be removed from the clamps.
Facing torpedo and interior elements is made of a good-quality, but cold and rigid gray plastic. The interior design is rather functionally, which is stylish - a typical inexpensive Japanese car. The dashboard is not overloaded - four easy-to-read scales with good backlight. All control of wipers and washers (front and rear) is unusual - in Japanese - focused on one submissive lever. And to use all this was constantly - the road was wet.
Exported Demio with 1.3 l 16-valve engine with a capacity of 72 hp (For some markets - 63 hp. A more powerful 1.5 liter 99-strong Motor Japanese left for internal consumption). The engine is sufficiently dynamic and tracked, up to a hundred, the machine is accelerated less than in 14 seconds - a completely acceptable indicator. There are no claims to steering claims, but it does not cause admiration - the assessment is normal. Pedals are highly located - the driver will be tired on long trips. Switching gears - no problem, but if you keep your hand on the lever, noticeably, as it presses, the gas pedal is decently fed forward - explicitly along with the power unit. It is likely that this is due to the too elastic fastening of the engine to the body. Maybe it is good to quench the vibration, but why not apply to control the cable drive to control the box?
Rolls in turns are minimal, the suspension is quite rigid and elastic - it is obvious that it lates a certain potential for freight.
At high speed, not only the engine is distinctly heard, but also the noise of the airborne air - high landing Demio and the loading of the ducts are not improving aerodynamics. But in the city the car is transformed - he is at home. Complete transmission ratios easily allow you to keep the motor at the potential of power, and the 1000-kilogram machine confidently feels in the conditions of urban flow - with sharp accelerations, overtaking and rebuilding. There were four passengers in the cabin - we fastened the car about 300 kg. The car lost a little in the dynamics, but remained still light and obedient in management. On the brake qualities, the extension did not affect at least subjectively.
In the city modes of movement in the car quietly, nothing creaks, does not buzz and do not rattle. The engine is listening only after 3500 rpm. It is best to hear how to knock on the arches and the bottom of the wheels and sand raised by the wheels. It seems that the car is not covered in the bottom. Obviously, the Japanese, Using on Galvanized Body, did not take care of additional measures of its protection. Mazda cars for some reason have always come to our hands in winter. This time it was at the end of March, but in the courtyards with an excess of ice bumps, and the lowered loose snow. Despite the typical urban destination, Demio is pretty large (160 mm) ground clearance, which, in combination with short skes, allowed the car to successfully overcoming deep ice rhesis. True, in the snow - on summer tires - the car is stuck, but it did not lie on the belly, and on their own, the goat, got into a solid coating ...
Promoting Demio in the UK, Mazda gave a promise for each car sold to plant five trees - to compensate for the damage caused by the environment. We do not suggest to plant even bushes. And it is unlikely that such a gesture would attract buyers, they are more important than the other - the seductive price of the car. It also defines the disadvantages of DEMIO - modest internal design and not very bright high-speed qualities. Among the obvious advantages are a spacious lounge, a bulk luggage compartment, excellent visibility and high efficiency. What else do you need an inexpensive city car? Evgeny Romantsky
Source: Magog Motor [№4 / 1999]
