What they said when the Mazda 2 was new… (Feb 4 2003)
A COUPLE of years ago Mazda was teetering on the edge, with sales down a massive 50 per cent and with no apparent hope of recovery.
But all that has changed.
The Ford-owned Japanese company is well on the way to recovery, thanks to its new model line-up, the latest of which is the Mazda2.
It takes over from the Mazda 121 and Demio in the super-mini sector, which accounts for one in every three cars sold in the UK.
The competition is stiff, but I expect the little Mazda2, which is built at a Ford plant in Spain, to make a big impact over here.
Mazda is expecting to sell just under 4,000 in the UK this year with a target of 5,200 for next year. That will be no problem. It's a fantastic little motor which fits nicely in with Mazda's "Zoom Zoom" campaign slogan designed to brighten its image.
On sale at the end of next month, the four-door super-mini offers excellent accommodation with plenty of head and legroom and reasonable load space.
It looks good, too, with the five-point Mazda grille mirroring the successful new Mazda6's face.
Mazda's designers haven't gone for off-the-wall styling, but its cute looks should appeal to prospective buyers, who will be mainly female, plus fleet and even driving schools.
Initially the 2 comes with four engine options - 1.25, 1.5 and 1.6 petrol, with a 1.4 diesel. Specification levels are S, TS TS2 and Sport. The 1.4 petrol and common-rail diesel engines are also available with an automatic shift manual transmission.
On its international launch near Barcelona I drove the three petrol versions, and although the 1.25 ran out of puff on some of the steeper hills above the city, it would still have sufficient power to satisfy most buyers.
Mazda predicts that 37 per cent of buyers will opt for the 1.25 S but the 1.4 would be my choice. Although it doesn't have blistering pace - 0-62 mph in 13.9 sec - it has good mid-range pulling power and a top speed of just over the ton.
Spanish main roads are superbly smooth and the Mazda2 hummed sweetly on the motorways and A roads. But due to some abysmal route maps issued by Mazda Europe I managed - more than once - to test the super-mini on rough, boulder-strewn hill tracks which would have offered a good test for a Land Rover 4x4.
It coped admirably. So it should be okay for our pot-holed UK roads.
The 1.6 Sport, not surprisingly, with 100 bhp under the bonnet, is a swift motor, but at £11,995 could put it out of reach of many in this sector.
Fuel consumption is good on all models, with claims of 44.8 mpg, 43.5 mpg and 39.8 mpg on a combined run for the 1.25, 1.4 and 1.6. Mazda says the diesel version will return 62.8 mpg.
The cabin has a light and airy feel with a nicely laid-out dash, every control being within easy reach and without complications. Fit and finish appear to be good with few rattles, even on the unofficial off-road course we inadvertently found ourselves on.
Mazda claim it is a real five-seater, even for adults, and their claim is justified. Head and legroom are good and the driving position gives good all-round visibility.
Safety and security features include twin airbags, remote central locking, deadlocks, alarm and immobiliser on all models. The TS, TS2 and Sport have anti-lock brakes and emergency brake assist included. Air conditioning is standard on the TS2 and Sport, and steering wheel audio controls are fitted to all models.
Prices range from £8,760 for the Mazda2 1.25 S to £11,995 for the 1.6 Sport. The diesel starts at £9,695 up to £11,495. Insurance is cheap with the entry level coming in at Group 2E, and even the 1.6 Sport is rated at only 6E.
There's little doubt that this excellent newcomer to the Mazda stable should help to continue the company's recovery.
Words: Stewart Smith
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