The Mazda2, On a Diet and Looking Trim - July 23rd, 2007
The Mazda2, a five-door hatchback, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, is headed for the United States in 2008 where it will take up its place as the smallest vehicle in Ford’s line-up. The sub-compact will have three engine options — two 1.3 liter units producing 75 and 84 horsepower respectively and a 1.5 turning out 104. Look for both a manual and an automatic with five speeds.
One of the most intriguing things Mazda has done with this offering is to put it on a diet. For the past few years vehicles of all kinds have just been getting heavier and heavier. The Mazda2, on the other hand, drops a whopping 200 lbs. over the previous model. This lightweight strategy that does not compromise on safety and durability is going to be a must in a world demanding smaller more fuel efficient cars.
Mazda relied on high-tensile steel (in some cases ultra-high) to bring the body weight under control while actually increasing resistance to crashes and overall rigidity. The trailing arm on the rear suspension was also shortened, the hood striker assembly streamlined, and the fresh-air inlet placed on top of the radiator (meaning no resonator or baffle required.) Ideas like these show the Mazda engineers are on the ball.
Lord knows there are bells and whistles on cars today. (I used to think the Coke bottle opener in my Dad’s 1950s vintage Ford pick-up was cool.) But gadgety enticements, while fun and marketable, are increasingly playing second fiddle to creative engineering that reduces emissions and improves fuel efficiency. While hatchbacks haven’t been “in” for Americans in some time, the Mazda2 may start to reverse that trend.
Posted on July 23rd, 2007 by Shorty
Filed under: technology |
