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With a special model and innovative fuel-saving technology, the Mazda2 keeps fit. That must So does he, because the competition comes from within the company, of all things.
As a young sweeper he goes Mazda2 now only conditionally. Although is Mazda's The smallest is still an attractive companion, but the third generation has been rolling off the assembly line in Hofu, Japan, since the beginning of 2015 and has been facelifted several times during this period. Now the 4,06 long five-door car drives to the dealers again freshly coiffed. And there, starting in March, he will meet a new family member who has the same name as him. The Hiroshima-based carmaker adopted the Yaris full hybrid from their cooperation partner Toyota without any technical changes and stuck the Mazda2 sign to the rear. Sort of like 1996 when the Ford Fiesta suddenly became the Mazda 121. And that went really badly.
Mazda2 to the power of 2?
It remains to be seen whether the decision to put a rebranded double in the sales rooms is a wise one. While the dealers rejoice because they get an additional reliable fuel-saving car, Mazda's image guardians are not at all happy about the move. He's always confusing. Because soon the Mazda2 will be available twice.
Let's talk about the original, which sold 5.200 copies last year and is now coming out of the winter break with a tailwind. The Kodo design tailors have kept feet and tin snips still this time. Visually, the two-seater remains as it was with its front grille in a honeycomb pattern and the distinctive, tapering chrome bar and is clearly identifiable as a child of the Mazda family.
Not as modern as the larger models
The Japanese looks dusty neither outside nor inside, where the stylish cockpit stands out pleasantly from some of the unimaginative plastic landscape of the competition. Mazda had already added multimedia and connectivity in 2020 and put the two on course with Apple Carplay or a new head-up display, for example. However, not on the level of the bigger brothers. Their more current systems are not only significantly faster, but also at least one generation ahead in terms of operation.
At least the new special model Homura brings a touch of facelift into play, which is now available to complement the four equipment lines. For 19.410 euros, the Homura relies on black magic: black double-spoke aluminum wheels, black mirror caps, tinted rear windows. Inside, red rings adorn the air vents and red stitching the black seats. In addition, Mazda packs all sorts of extra equipment.
Available for less than €15.000
Essentially, however, the current maintenance measures focus on the drive technology. As usual, the basis is a comparatively large-volume 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 75, 90 and, more recently, again with 115 hp. It starts at 14.540 euros for the entry-level petrol engine. The 90 hp petrol is available from around 17.200 euros, the top engine from 22.800 euros.
Mazda had meanwhile canceled the top version. The two more powerful engines are supported by a mild hybrid system that supplies additional thrust via a belt-driven 22,5 volt starter generator, and a capacitor is used to store the electricity. If the charge level is sufficient, the technology uses the energy to relieve the petrol engine. This saves fuel and improves response.
Best technology for saving fuel
OK, we already know. What is really new, however, is the innovative combustion process called “Diagonal Vortex Combustion”. With this technical trick, the intake air in the combustion chamber is set in a diagonal flow. As a result, the injected fuel mixes optimally with the intake air. At the same time, the compression increases from 13,0:1 to 15,0:1. Result: Less fuel is required for the same performance. The Mazda 2 is said to consume almost eleven percent less. In the 90 hp version, consumption according to WLTP falls from 5,3 to 4,7 liters, corresponding to CO2 emissions from 120 to 106 g/km (according to the NEDC standard). A top value for a small car that is not fully electrified. The Japanese plan to use this process as a standard for all their combustion engines.
Over 100 hp for the small car
One floor higher, the driver notices very little. It doesn't hum particularly, the power output is harmonious and uniform. With the 115 hp top model, which we grabbed for the first ride, things are progressing quickly. The 1,5-liter four-cylinder doesn't like to stroll at low speed, but if you turn the gears out, you reap a lot of thrust. Among the minis, the Mazda2, with its curb weight of 1.110 kilos, is considered a rather light playmate. It is correspondingly agile, with a fairly tight set-up that could cushion short waves more confidently. On the other hand, the direct steering with standard built-in cornering fun and the crisp circuit, which grabs its six gears over extremely short distances like a sleepwalker, are top.
How much fuel-saving talent actually lies dormant in the freshly made two can only be speculated after the first test drive. However, values between a good 5 and almost 6 liters seem realistic. And for a 115 hp car, that really doesn't sound like old-fashioned, but somehow quite modern.
Technical data
Five-door compact car; Length: 4,07 meters, width: 1,70 meters (with exterior mirrors: 2,03 meters), height: 1,52 meters, wheelbase: 2,57 meters, trunk volume: 280 - 887 liters.
1,5 liter four-cylinder, 85 kW/115 hp, maximum torque 151 Nm, 6-speed manual transmission, mild hybrid system with 22,5 volt starter generator and capacitor as power storage, curb weight 1.110 kg, 0-100 km /h: 9,8 seconds, Vmax: 183 km/h, consumption (NEDC): 4,7 l Super/100 km, CO2 emissions: 106 g/km, consumption (WLTP): 5 liters, C02 emissions: 113 g/km efficiency class: B, price: from 22.810 euros
In brief
Why: because the two is a really charming, chic small car.
Why not: because the biggest enemy is in your own bed: the more modern Mazda 2 full hybrid
What else: Ford Fiesta, Hyundai I20, VW Polo, Opel Corsa
When does he come: from now on
