The Mazda2 subcompact only offers 100 horsepower. But don’t let its engine specs fool you—it’s packed with Zoom Zoom fun.
Thanks to its lightweight chassis, its 100-horsepower 1.5-liter engine delivers. The Mazda2 comes with tons of fun-to-drive characteristics that don’t require the extra HP. On top of that, having such a small engine helps the Mazda2 perform with the pros in fuel efficiency, rated at 29 MPG City / 35 MPG Highway with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Mazda is planning to launch an all-new plant in Mexico during the 2013 fiscal year. When it opens, the plant will serve as the automaker’s export base for North America and Europe.
“The size of Mexico’s market is a mere 900,000 units, but there’s a 40 million unit market behind this,” said Mazda Motor Corp. President Takashi Yamanouchi in an interview with the Mainichi Daily News.
The only compact car to offer a big-time helping of “zoom-zoom” agility and performance—the Mazda3—set a major production mark recently, as global sales of Mazda’s best seller topped the 3 million mark. The Mazda3 reached this impressive milestone in less than 8 years, thanks in large part to its popularity in the North American market, where nearly 1.2 million customers have taken one home since 2003.
“Mazda3 embodies the three elements of Mazda’s DNA: distinctive design, exceptional functionality, and responsive handling and driving performance,” said Hirotaka Kanazawa, Mazda Motor Corporation’s senior managing executive officer in charge of R&D. “Continued global success has seen it grow into Mazda’s most popular model, comprising a third of all Mazda vehicle sales. Since the first-generation model appeared on the market, it has responded to the major changes in the automobile industry by inheriting and strengthening Mazda’s brand DNA while evolving exceptional environmental and safety performance.”
And that dedication to continuous improvement will again be in the spotlight this year, when the 2012 Mazda3 launches as the automaker’s first North American model to boast its cutting-edge SKYACTIV powertrain technologies. Leveraging Mazda innovations that allow the powerplant to run at a higher compression ratio without knocking, the new 2.0-liter engine in the updated Mazda3 will showcase a 15 percent increase in both fuel efficiency and torque. As a result, Mazda says it will deliver an EPA rating of 40 mpg highway while still providing the kind of responsive performance drivers expect from the Mazda3.
Added Kanazawa: “As the Mazda3 passes the three-million-unit mark, I would like to thank every customer for their support, and reaffirm our commitment to delivering outstanding environmental and safety performance balanced with driving pleasure that goes beyond your expectations.”
The next-generation Mazda MX-5 is expected to be losing plenty of weight to make it sporty and efficient. According to AutoCar, the next MX-5 will also gain a turbocharger to ensure plenty of power.
Mazda is reportedly aiming to cut the MX-5’s weight down to about 1,764 pounds. To do this, without sacrificing safety, the MX-5 will receive a smaller engine, lighter transmission, and even a heavily revised suspension system that reduces weight.