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| 2015 Mazda 2 |
The all-new Mazda2 offers more of everything: It's longer with a bigger wheelbase, a more spacious interior, and an array of i-ACTIVSENSE active safety systems to go with the generous level of equipment for a supermini. This includes the Active Driving Display, the segment's first headup display, as well as the MZD Connect smartphone connectivity system.
And it does so without gaining weight, either, thanks to Mazda's relentless pursuit of unneeded grams. In doing so, the carmaker actually improved collision safety with a stiffer body and chassis. More is less in other ways, too, like with fuel economy and emissions or cabin noise.
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| 2015 Mazda 2 |
But none of this comes at the expense of performance. In a segment dominated by downsized engines, Mazda's rightsized powertrains are a breath of fresh air - and perfectly suited to the carmaker's patented driver-and-car-as-one handling. Drivers will notice a confidence-inspiring degree of poise and usability: This car has truly grown up.
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| 2015 Mazda 2 |
The Mazda2 is a global model. Besides looking good, it needs to satisfy a diversity of needs, particularly in the cabin. So Mazda grew the all-new model by 140mm in length relative to the outgoing generation and added 80mm to the wheelbase - both now among the class leaders.
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| 2015 Mazda 2 |
The SKYACTIV-D 1.5 shares the low compression, quiet low-knock operation, and superior ignition and cold-start capabilities of its larger sibling, the SKYACTIV-D 2.2. However, since a smaller engine suffers from greater cylinder wall cooling losses, Mazda went with a new combustion chamber and fuel injection system, and slightly higher compression of 14.8:1 - still remarkably low for a diesel.
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| 2015 Mazda 2 |
Rather than the SKYACTIV-D 2.2's sequential twin-turbo setup, the engineers gave the SKYACTIV-D 1.5 a lighter, smaller single turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, which delivers ample boost for day-to-day speeds and features a special sensor to maintain output at higher speeds. i-stop, Mazda's idle-stop system delivering the world's fastest diesel restarts, is standard equipment on the all-new Mazda2.
These and other measures to save space while optimising performance makes the SKYACTIV-D 1.5 a true lightweight. Output is 77kW/105PS at 4,000rpm with ample maximum torque of 220Nm at 1,400-3,200rpm. Coupled on the all-new Mazda2 with a special compact version of the six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual, it's good for a 0-100km/h time of 10.1 seconds and a 178km/h top speed. Fuel economy, meanwhile, is a mere 3.4l/100km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of only 89g/km. And like all SKYACTIV-D engines, it saves customers additional money since costly NOx aftertreatment is not required to meet the stringent Euro 6 emissions standard.
