THE new Mazda2 follows much the same formula as the last, except that Mazda has moved away from a ‘tall-boy’ body and replaced it with a lower-riding, sleeker hatchback form. It has the same wheelbase of 2490mm, is wider, but is not as tall or as long. Surprisingly, the new 1.5-litre engine has less power than the previous model, while torque is down slightly. These changes can be attributed to Euro IV emission adjustments. Fuel consumption is down by between 0.2 and 0.4L/100km, with manual models using a combined average of 6.4L/100km and autos consuming 6.8L/100km. Efficiency is helped by the fact that the new Mazda2 is 60kg lighter than the previous model. It all adds up to a car which is better in a lot of ways but still feels like an affordable light car.

DY-series Mazda2
Released: Dec 2002
Ended: Aug 2007
Family Tree: Mazda2The Mazda2 represented the beginning of the re-invention of the Japanese brand. Replacing the bland 121 Metro, the Mazda2 was a fun-to-drive light car with perky performance. It was based on the Japanese ‘tall-boy’ formula, which opened up a lot of interior space and looked a lot fresher. It was powered by an 82kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine - up 28 per cent over the model it replaced. Available only as a five-door hatch, the Mazda2 kicked off at $17,790 with the Neo and rose to $20,570 for the Maxx and $22,195 for the Genki, with air-conditioning standard on all models. A four-speed auto cost an extra $1750. Prices were sharpened as competition in the class hotted up.
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