Archives

Hi All:

___The Mazda2 reviews in Australia are being reveled and the numbers are not as promising as some of us had hoped :(

New Mazda2 in the flesh.

The Zoom-Zoom philosophy continues at Mazda with the release of the new lighter, stronger, safer and cuter Mazda2. (http://www.caradvice.com.au/5290/new-2008-mazda2/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Mazda2_Side.jpgAustralian CarAdvice – Sep. 5, 2007

The Mazda2 is available in three model variants - Neo, Maxx and Genki, all of which share the same 76 kW 1.5L engine.

The “super little” Mazda2 is surprisingly even smaller than the superseded model, with 41mm cut from its length (now 3885mm), 65mm from its height, although the wheelbase stays the same (2490mm) and width has increased a little (15mm). However, interior space for people and cargo remains very competitive.

This downsizing helped Mazda cut 100kg from the first generation Mazda2. As a result, Mazda has improved the standard feature list on the Australian Neo models which are now about 60kg lighter than before … Powered by a 1.5-litre MZR engine that features Sequential Valve Timing (S-VT) equating to fuel consumption of just 6.4L/100km on the ADR 81/01 cycle …
___6.4L/100 km equates to 36.75 mpg US. on the ADR cycle whatever that is? The Prius-II/HCH-II are rated at 4.4L/100 km (53.45 mpg US) and 4.6L/100 km (51.1 mpg US) respectively on this/these same cycle(s) if that helps?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Cripes. I'm getting really tired of the "Attack of the Tiny Cars with Silly Bad FE"

It's the gearing. They put great engines in these things, then they gear them to "zoom-zoom." Makes you run at 70 MPH at high RPMs.

Mazda caters to a sporty/economy market, so they have to fulfill that image. Too bad they can't have different models for different buyers (sporty vs. economical).

The 5 door hatch ruins it for me... Bummer :(

psy

John, I hear you but it seems every small car on the market regardless of manufacturer is disappointing in the FE department? I expect something that size to hit solid 45s on the highway with no extra effort, and not even Toyota's Yaris is doing that! I'm even less inclined to cut them some slack when the Corolla hangs right up there with the Yaris!!

Gah. :(

Jeff, what don't you like about the 5 door configuration? Is it the configuration or the appearance of this model with that configuration? I kinda like it...

While the focus of this site is solely on fuel economy and emissions and often overlooks other considerations, comparing the Mazda2 to a Prius is sort of an apples to oranges comparision.

To put things in a different perspective, the base price of the (outgoing) Mazda 2 in the Australian market is $AUS 16,335-20,290, and the Prius ranges from $AUS 37,400-46,900.

In Australia you could literally buy 2 Mazda2's for the price of one Prius.

Agreed aca. RLC, while it's unfortunate that all of these smaller economy cars are getting low(er) gas mileage, at least *all* of them are that way. What I mean is that it's due to government regulations in safety, emissions etc. The economy car of 20 years ago got 50+ MPG off the showroom floor, but it was a tin can and a CO2 spewer. Can't have it all, eh? ;)

Agreed aca. RLC, while it's unfortunate that all of these smaller economy cars are getting low(er) gas mileage, at least *all* of them are that way. What I mean is that it's due to government regulations in safety, emissions etc. The economy car of 20 years ago got 50+ MPG off the showroom floor, but it was a tin can and a CO2 spewer. Can't have it all, eh? ;)

I would tend to agree BUT, why does the Corolla get the same numbers?? If I paired a Corolla down to match a Yaris in size/weight, I would have something performing in the range of 45mpg on the highway, right? So what gives?? Smaller car gets the same rating as the bigger car???

Same problem with the Accent and the Elantra. One mpg difference on the highway makes no sense for that kind of difference in size.

Here's an interesting tidbit - the Yaris is only 250lbs lighter than the Corolla. Similarly, the Accent is only 350lbs lighter than the Elantra. Hence your 1-2 MPG difference. While the cars look/act smaller, their mass is quite similar.

I compared base models with 5MT.

Here's an interesting tidbit - the Yaris is only 250lbs lighter than the Corolla. Similarly, the Accent is only 350lbs lighter than the Elantra. Hence your 1-2 MPG difference. While the cars look/act smaller, their mass is quite similar.

I compared base models with 5MT.

Well, color me confused. I'm probably just stuck on this topic but it sure seems to me that something that much smaller ought to weigh substantially less. The difference in displacement should also make a difference, but apparently doesn't??

Alright. I'm done fuming here. I'll go back to quietly dreaming of the 45+mpg cars of that size that I WISH were on the market.

I wish it did, my friend. I'm with you - why can't the market build a 45+ MPG non-hybrid? Answer? Because (not enough) consumers want it yet. :(

John, I hear you but it seems every small car on the market regardless of manufacturer is disappointing in the FE department? I expect something that size to hit solid 45s on the highway with no extra effort, and not even Toyota's Yaris is doing that! I'm even less inclined to cut them some slack when the Corolla hangs right up there with the Yaris!!

Gah. :(

Jeff, what don't you like about the 5 door configuration? Is it the configuration or the appearance of this model with that configuration? I kinda like it...

Just dont like mini 5 door hatchs. If I want a station wagon. I want it useable and much larger.

why can't the market build a 45+ MPG non-hybrid?. :(

You're not thinking high enough. The question is "Why can't the market build a 70+ MPG non-hybrid?" Why did I have to modify a 16 year old, 45+ MPG non-hybrid to get the 70+ MPG non-hybrid that I am driving today. Why can't I buy such a wonder straight off the dealer's lot? I keep getting sorely disappointed by the simply atrocious FE of these modern small cars which the advertisers then whoop up as if they were cutting edge performance.

Good point basjoos. I only meant a 45+ MPG non-hybrid, as I want the average US driver to achieve 45 MPG. That means I can get 60+ no problem. As it stands now, cars rated at 30/40 city highway might see 22/28 because their driver is uneducated about how to drive appropriately.

Basjoos -- I could only dare to dream!! I think you should get into the business of creating extreme aerodynamic mods for particular cars to eek out higher mileage -- and then maybe transition into a company that preinstalls such kits for customers and even on new cars with professional finishes!

You'd have a customer here! ;)

I do wonder what my car would manage at highway speeds with mods like yours, though my routes are usually not a majority of highway work anymore.

I'm still waiting for that little car with great FE, too. VW diesels are coming this spring, but they ain't cheap. I think the manufacturers have been selling the majority of their "b-segment" cares to city dwellers, and assume that those of us who have a 60 or more minute commute wouldn't be interested.

Ok ...I'm disappointed . Rated at less than 40 mpg,no option for a 3 door *and* $16-21,000. They missed a marketing opportunity.

makes me happy I didn't sit around and wait for it to come instead of buying my yaris (although i do prefer the 5 door to the 3 door)

I'm still waiting for that little car with great FE, too. VW diesels are coming this spring, but they ain't cheap.

VW already had one great small car with awsome FE: the old Lupo 3L (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Lupo) which got 78 MPG! Why they stopped making them I have no clue.

Hi Psic:

___It was a hybrid nightmare with its start-stop acting like it was on drugs, it was uncomfortable as all get out, it had 0 - 60 performance in the 15 + second range and IIRC, they sold like 500 per year because it was a POS irregardless of the FE :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Psic:

___It was a hybrid nightmare with its start-stop acting like it was on drugs, it was uncomfortable as all get out, it had 0 - 60 performance in the 15 + second range and IIRC, they sold like 500 per year because it was a POS irregardless of the FE :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne,

So basically they had a potentially great city car but figured that it was cheaper for them to make something new, regardless of FE. Good mileage is for the time being still not importaint enough for most consumers...

Hi Psic:

___When reading end user comments on the Lupo, it was really that bad and a vehicle you would not drive unless their was no fuel available.

___About this Mazda2. Although the 1.5L’s FE is somewhat disappointing, if the Ford/Peugeot 1.6L TDCi were installed, this thing would be an amazing little fuel miser. Although a bit short on the get up and go quotient, the 1.6 is rated at 44 mpgUS/63.6 mpg urban/extra urban in the European Fiesta. The Civic iCDTi at 35.6 mpgUS/54.7 mpgUS urban/extra urban allowed over 85 and I think most here know what that 1.6 in the Mazda2 would really be capable of :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

if the Ford/Peugeot 1.6L TDCi were installed, this thing would be an amazing little fuel miser. Although a bit short on the get up and go quotient, the 1.6 is rated at 44 mpgUS/63.6 mpg urban/extra urban in the European Fiesta. The Civic iCDTi at 35.6 mpgUS/54.7 mpgUS urban/extra urban allowed over 85 and I think most here know what that 1.6 in the Mazda2 would really be capable of :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Thats a big If ! Ford really seems to not listen when it comes to suggestive reasoning - No disrespect meant (ok a little) . They've always had the options available -just not Here- and have refused to really market a potential gold mine . I may be very biased in my opinion though .

Hi MnFocus:

___You are definitely on the right track with the if. Ford will not bring over the TDCi unfortunately and it will be there loss all the while Honda will release their iCDTi and small hybrid here in the US no matter what the CI-ICE and hybrid system is shoved into. 45 mpg in the Mazda2/Fiesta will mean nothing when Honda lets loose its own salvo of 60 – 70 mpg (08 EPA) in either of their vehicles?

___Oh well, Ford, nice try :ccry:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'm not gonna give up being vocal about it though ! The more talk about the possibility is what brings public awareness ...hopefully that equals demand . Sadly it would take time - that marketshare *will* get lost unless what they bring to the table is truly astounding . I am hoping. That Honda iCTDi is too well planned and executed to have much competition right from the start and is going to leave em choking on the dust.