New Mazda2 gets auto box 13 | 11 | 2010
MAZDA HAS added an automatic model to its all-new Mazda2 range which is now on sale across its award-winning Scottish dealership network. The nine-strong line-up of three-door and five-door hatchbacks offers buyers a choice of three petrol and one diesel powertrains, plus four equipment levels. Prices start at £9995.
Never one to rest on its laurels, Mazda has taken onboard the feedback it received from the public and not only added the automatic model (with a 1.5-litre engine and four-speed transmission) to the ragne, but there's also a new ‘Tamura‘ which delivers sporty looks at a high-value price.
The new Mazda2 differentiates itself from the previous model by blending the brand’s ‘family face’ with a larger five-point grille and larger Mazda badge; this move harmonises the Mazda2 with the whole product line-up. The Mazda2 also gets newly-designed front fog lamp bezels and wheels, both aimed at creating a stronger sense of quality and sportiness.
Inside the cabin there's a newly-designed instrument panel, new seat patterns and seat fabric colours, blackout finish dials and chrome rings, while the centre stack is finished in piano black.
On the road, a stiffer bodyshell, changes to the front suspension geometry, softer mountings for the rear trailing arms and re-tuned rear dampers all combine to give the new Mazda2 improved road holding and ride comfort.
For the upgraded Mazda2’s powertrain line-up, the three petrol engines have been re-tuned to Euro Stage 5 whilst the five-speed manual transmission’s gearing has been revised. These changes improve fuel economy (by up to 2%) and reduced CO2 emissions (by up to 4.8%).
For both the low and high power 1.3 engines, the CO2 output has been cut from 125 to 119g/km, meaning five petrol Mazda2 cars now have a rating under 120g/km and move to the lower tax ‘C’ band, while the diesel model moves down to band ‘B’, so six models qualify for £0 Road Tax first-year rate and reduced Benefit in Kind costs, offering users significant savings.
In their latest forms, the 1.3-litre engine is available in two power outputs (75ps and 84ps) and the 1.5-litre generates 102ps, while the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel now produces 95ps – a 5.5% increase. The Mazda2 TS2 Activematic, which is priced at £12,060, combines the powerful 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Sport version with the Mazda four-speed automatic transmission.
Top speeds range from 104-115mph and acceleration times from 0-62mph are between 10.7 and 14.9secs, depending on model. Fuel economy varies between 44.8 and 67.3mpg (combined cycle), while CO2 ratings spread from 110 to 146g/km.
Prices for the regular Mazda2 range start at £9,995, with TS2 models beginning at £10,820, the new Tamura at £11,520 and Sport models from £12,630.
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Jim McGill