Mazda Mazda 2 test drive since 2007 hatchback

Mazda 2

It seems that Mazda experts once again managed to surprise the world well, and in Europe until the very last moment, no one could believe that after a series of bright and interesting innovations 6, 3 and RX-8 in the company would again prefer to turn to the philosophy of healthy conservatism. Having taken the new Mazda 2 for the test, we sought to fully understand the reasons for this extraordinary marketing solution.
 
More recently, the Mazda program was attended by the De-Mio model. Since its debut in the Japanese market in 1996, it has remained a real gray mouse, the existence of which the clients almost did not know and tried to forget the dealers. It was a compact car with an easily transformed salon and a modest appearance, which even the most pragmatic Europeans made me yawn from boredom. However, a good level of equipment and several traditional anti -aging procedures for their price allowed Demio to attract customers. This period of the period was successful for the model ended a couple of years ago, when brand new compactwaines and just hatchbacks of class B began to appear on the market. They had most of Demio's advantages, but at the same time they were much more attractive outwardly.
 
They could not not understand this in Mazda, where the heir to Demio was developed operationally. It was the novelty with the speaking index 2 that was the first product of close cooperation between Mazda and Ford Motor Co., because Mazda 2 was actually built on the latest generation Ford Fiesta platform. But in the Japanese company, they slightly delayed the start of sales of this model in Europe, preferring to first hit the Europeans with their model Mazda 3. And only now, with a lag from the original plans for almost two years, Mazda 2 appeared in the show rooms of European dealers.
Familiar principles
Knowing about the kinship of Mazda 2 and Ford Fiesta, you begin to relate to the appearance of the novelty somewhat differently. Indeed, at first, the new Fiesta surprised many with the laconicism and simplicity of its design. But it will be unfair to consider Mazda 2 just a slightly redone Fiesta to compare the main dimensions of these models. The cars are very close in length and width, but in the height of Mazda 2, Fiesta outgrowed as much as 13 cm and turned out to be 1 cm higher even Ford Fusion. This alone suggests that Mazda designers again decided to bet on creating a unique car, which combines the qualities of both compactwane and the usual hatchback of the segment B.
 
However, it surprises something else: Mazda designers managed to hide it so successfully in the appearance of the novelty this is the advantage in height that the car can be accepted for a classic hatchback. And besides, with Demio, the company seems to have gained valuable experience, and now it is not going to scare away customers with an overly primitive appearance of its cars. Mazda 2 can be praised for balanced proportions and interesting details of the exterior. Its front part received corporate design in the spirit of other Mazda models. A hood with an aggressive V-shaped translating, a characteristic grille of a radiator with an upper chrome strip and a large emblem, headlight blocks with chopped forms are those elements that are designed to demonstrate belonging to the Mazda clan.
 
But the vertical rectangle of the last side glass, already at the very trunk door, can be considered both as a reminder of Demio, and as a kind of hint of kinship with Fiesta. Ironically, this pair of glasses has become a connecting link for all three models. It would seem that it is difficult to come up with a new design of the back of the body of the segment B. But here Mazda designers were able to show their potential, using just a few parts refreshing the appearance of the car. Firstly, the glass of the rear door is unusually wide, it is stretched across the entire width of the car with spectacular bends on the sides. And secondly, the stylish rear lights in the form of a pair of wide red stripes remind of the sensational elements of the rear lighting of Alfa Romeo 156. There is only one mystery: why did not prefer transparent caps of lamps in Mazda, because in this way it would be possible to achieve more appropriate associations with Mazda 6?
Attention to detail
Judging by the decoration and elaboration of the cabin, Mazda 2 can be safely ranked by not even one, but two classes higher. Everything is done at a very high level. The front panel of the deuce can be represented on some mass European sedan of the D. Again, like Mazda 6, first the stylish silver central console attracts attention. She received a laconic design with an extremely clear separation into air conditioning and audio system control units. It will not have to be extremely difficult to look into the operating manual to look in the buttons. And the main commands of the audio system can also be given using buttons on the steering wheel. And the appearance of this option on Mazda 2 in the most democratic version of Core+ can also be considered indicative.
 
Unified corporate standards for interior design are also manifested in other details. Large dials of tachometer and speedometer with thin silver rims are already familiar from other Mazda models. Like the original air duct caps along the edges of the front panel. Interestingly, on the central console, these elements chose to leave in a classic rectangular design. And to those to whom this salon Mazda 2 still did not seem to be respectable enough, we recommend that you look at this model in more expensive versions. In the top modification of Sport, the car flaunts a two -tone decoration of doors and seats, as well as the steering wheel and handle of the gearbox lever with leather inserts and under metal. And in Mazda, they prepared for their model many branded accessories, more characteristic of tuning companies. An additional wing on the back door, thresholds with logo, sparkling with polishing the lining on the mirror housing and the rear door, the steering wheel of a sports shape and other parts should taste young owners of Mazda 2.
 
Probably, the potential buyers of Mazda 2 will also pay no less attention to evaluating the internal space of the car and the convenience of landing. There will be no problems with this. It is here that the advantage over the hatchback of 1015 cm in height begins to fully affect the fullest. And although the landing in front or behind does not impress a completely straight line, it seems that the Mazda specialists managed to achieve superiority in the reserve of the place not only above their heads, but also in the zone of the rear passengers. Actually, the second side doors of the car look frankly short and, even swinging away at right angles, provide not the most convenient access to the rear seat. But it is worth getting there as irritation is replaced by sincere surprise. Indeed, the legs for the legs are quite enough. Of course, the rear seats in Mazda 2 can be folded both together and separately. The result is a practically even and significantly increased platform of the luggage compartment. You can add the front passenger seat, which will transport long -sized cargo.
 
There are also almost no complaints about landing the driver. Quite tough front seats with developed lateral support are good. Unfortunately, Mazda preferred to save money and provided for the possibility of adjusting the steering wheel only in height. But you can set in height in a rather large range and driver’s seat, so it is convenient to feel at the wheel of any complexion. The only truly annoying omission of the designers of the car is the absence of the left leg as such. All three pedals are quite close to each other in a kind of niche, and on trips along the highway you have to just put it closer to the seat.
A quick baby
The owner of the Mazda 2 will be able to make fun of his friends, offering to determine the approximate working volume of the car engine on the pace of acceleration. And, probably, only the most experienced European drivers who spent more than one year while driving the models of segment B will answer correctly. Because in fact, a 1.25 liter motor when traveling around the city is able to mislead anyone with its temperament. The gear shift mechanism pleases with the clarity of the work, and this also allows you to maintain a high acceleration rate from a place up to 100 km/h. Of course, 15.1 s for which Mazda should do this exercise, in our time it is difficult to call impressive, however, the driver and even passengers will be able to get a certain pleasure when typing speed: the engine does not sound too intrusive, but at the same time its timbre is slightly hot blood. If you hold the tachometer arrow in the second half of the scale, then there will be no particular reason for discontent with this modest engine. To regret the acquisition of a 1.25-liter modification of Mazda 2, the driver will only be at speeds of more than 120 km/h or at good loading with two adult passengers.
Of course, the genuine habitat of Mazda 2 should be considered megacities. Small size, light steering wheel, good visibility will delight the driver with advantages over the neighbors in the transport flow. On Mazda 2, you can and even need to actively move around the city, causing envy among owners of larger cars. But the deuce will not let you down on a suburban road. The reactions to any driver’s commands are quick and adequate, you can go through the traction control, enjoying the natural behavior of the machine. As befits a compact car, Mazda 2 will transmit information about the quality of the road, but not too intrusive. And separately, we note the magnificent sound insulation for the car: even at high speeds, aerodynamic noises almost do not penetrate the salon.
Model outside the market
There are no particular doubts that Mazda 2 may interest Europeans. They will attract them and a spacious salon with high -quality finishes, and appearance with elements of corporate identity, and a well -tuned chassis. It is unlikely that Mazda 2 will be able to become a real opponent for Fiesta for absolute European sales, but some customers will definitely select. The fate of the model in Russia seems more difficult. In Finland, on terms of Tax-Free Mazda, almost 11 thousand euros costs in the simplest configuration with a 1.25 liter engine. It seems that we have the largest chances of success in us only the top versions of the model with a 100-horsepower engine of 1.6 liters in the Sport configuration. Such cars under the same conditions will cost 1500 euros more. And this proposal can already be considered quite attractive. However, it is quite clear that in the coming years, Mazda dealers in Russia will prefer to sell in thousands of the model rows 3 and 6. The time of Mazda 2 has not yet arrived.
Some technical characteristics Mazda 2
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm 3925x1680x1545
Base, mm 2490
Equipped mass, kg 1125
Trunk volume, l 268/542
Front/behind, mm 1470/1445
The type of engine is gasoline
4-cylinder
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 1242
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 75/6000
Max. moment, nm/rpm 110/4000
Front drive
Mechanical transmission 5-speed
Tires 175/65 R14
Max. Speed, km/h 163
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 15.1
Fuel consumption (city/highway), l/100 km 8.6/5.0
Tank volume, l 45
Fedor Oldin
Photo by Alexander Vasiliev
 

 
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine