Mazda launches Three-Door and Diesel Mazda2 models
(05/06/2008)

One of the keys to Mazda’s growth in Europe has been a strategy of expanding the line-up with exciting vehicles that appeal to an ever-wider group of customers. In less than two years, Mazda has introduced several vehicles, like the high-performance Mazda3 MPS, the power retractable hardtop MX-5 Roadster Coupe and the sports crossover SUV Mazda CX-7. This strategy is now set to continue with the European launch of the first three-door Mazda2.

Launched in October 2007 as Mazda’s first new-generation vehicle to be evolved to a new level, the all-new Mazda2 was an immediate hit with European customers, finding almost 40,000 owners to the end of April 2008. In December last year, Mazda2 five-door was awarded a 5-Star rating for adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP crash testing.

The new three-door Mazda2 builds on the five-door’s exterior design – that evokes movement and athleticism using unique body panel articulation and compact dimensions – for even more sporty appeal. Its larger front doors and rear side window have a unique shape that, when combined with the rising belt line and wedge shape of the Mazda2, communicates an even more fun-to-drive character.

Fresh and dynamic-looking, its overall design communicates a calm strength achieved through formal beauty and the highest levels of build quality yet seen on a Mazda B-car. Its eye-catching design is also four percent more aerodynamic than the old Mazda2. A coefficient of drag (Cd) of only 0.31 and a coefficient of lift (CLF) of just 0.02 help reduce fuel consumption and operating costs, which is important to young, first-time buyers.

For more sporty-minded customers, a Sports Appearance Package is available with a special front bumper design and side sills that visually lower the car’s centre of gravity, and a rear roof spoiler. On the inside, a dark keynote colour contrasts nicely with white instruments, silver accents, a three-spoke steering wheel similar to the Mazda MX-5 roadster, a silver ringed driver cluster and centre-console mounted shift lever for an ambiance that is both sporty and high quality.

One of the highlights at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show was the Mazda Sassou concept car. Designed and built by Mazda Motor Europe’s Design Team under the direction of Peter Birtwhistle, it gave a good indication of where Mazda was heading with its next B-segment car. The name ‘Sassou’ is Japanese for having a positive state of mind, for looking to the future with optimism. This was chosen wisely, as many exterior features of the Sassou were incorporated into the new three-door Mazda2: its sporty wedge shape, for instance, and its body articulation at the doors and wings.

In the three-door, these are just as eye-catching as the concept’s, but combined with smooth transitions for a dynamic yet exquisite look of sportiness and strength. Three-door Mazda2 also inherited the unique rising belt line of the Sassou. This not only makes the car look like it is cutting through the wind even when standing still, it is also 40mm lower at the front windows than the outgoing model.

This is combined with an optimal front seat hip point height and a lower positioning of the door mirrors, for a major improvement in visibility diagonally to the front and downwards – a real safety plus in city driving. And the pointed shape of three-door’s rear side window – a characteristic feature of its sporty appeal – can be traced back to Sassou as well.

As with the five-door version, the new three-door Mazda2 has a roomy interior, despite its compact and dynamic exterior design. For optimum access to the rear seats, the front door is 220 mm longer and the door opening is 163 mm wider than the front door opening of the five-door.

The three-door version includes handy walk-in functionality, which folds the seatback of the front passenger seat and slides it forward to produce one of the segment’s widest access widths for easy entry. Once inside, passengers find themselves in a roomy and comfortable interior. A relatively long wheelbase (2,490 mm), an innovative roof header shape, reduced roof-lining thickness and a lower rear hip point height, all combine to deliver plenty of head, shoulder and leg room both front and back. The driver’s seat can slide fore/aft through a 250 mm range and be height adjusted up to 55 mm. This is combined with adjustable steering wheel height and a centre console-mounted manual shift lever for a sporty, wrap‑around cockpit with room for people of nearly all shapes and sizes.

The higher shift lever placement makes room between the front seats for a floor console with a drink holder in the front and a storage tray in the rear large enough for a woman’s handbag, along with an AUX jack for plugging in an MP3 player to use with the car’s audio system (depending on grade) and a 12-volt power socket that can be used to power or charge electrical accessories.

Other handy storage compartments include a unique magazine rack in the glove compartment, front door pockets with space for a half-litre bottle and an A4 atlas, and three compartments in the dashboard for smaller items. The luggage capacities are unchanged compared to the five-door version. Behind the rear seats is a 250 litre luggage compartment that can hold two suitcases or a baby buggy, and can be extended to 787 litres when the rear seats are folded (60/40 functionality for all grades except base) to take larger items.

Exactly like the five-door, the three-door Mazda2 will be offered in three grades (depending on market) with a full slate of equipment for young, fun-minded drivers. Remote central locking, electric adjustable side mirrors, electric power assist steering and ABS are standard on every Mazda2 sold in Europe. Also onboard – depending on grade and market – are six airbags, heated and retractable door mirrors, 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, manual or automatic air-conditioning, power front windows, power rear windows (five-door only), rain and light sensor system, adjustable speed warning system, cruise control (1.5-litre petrol with board computer only), dynamic stability control DSC (depending on engine), keyless entry and start system, and numerous other features.

Three-door Mazda2 comes with exactly the same petrol powertrain line-up as the five-door with engines that are lively and responsive, yet use low amounts of fuel and produce markedly less CO2 than the engines of the outgoing model. The base MZR 1.3-litre unit has variable valve timing and comes in two power derivatives (depending on market): a Standard Power version producing 55 kW/75 PS and a High Power version producing 63 kW/86 PS. Both use just 5.4 litres of petrol per 100 km and produce a low 129 g/km of CO2 emissions. The largest petrol engine is an MZR 1.5-litre unit that produces 76 kW/103 PS of power, while using just 5.9 litres of fuel per 100 km and producing 140 g/km of CO2.

An MZ-CD 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel is available now with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. This engine is special for the European market where low operating costs are vital criteria for B-segment car customers. It produces 50 kW/68 PS of maximum power at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at a low 2,000 rpm for lively acceleration and driving fun. At the same time, it uses just 4.3 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined) and produces only 114 g/km of CO2, the lowest CO2 value ever achieved by a Mazda production car sold in Europe. All engines come with Mazda’s five-speed manual transmission with gear ratios that are between 3-to-10 percent higher than the previous five-speed.