Car Test
|
R0325 | |
|
March 2003 |
||
| First Drive | Mazda 2 | |
| Printer Friendly Page | ||
|
Rivalry on the surface, collaboration underneath – that’s the name of the game in today’s international motor industry.
Take the Mazda 2, for example – it’s the product of a Japanese manufacturer, but it draws heavily on the (Anglo-American) Ford Fiesta, uses a French (Peugeot) diesel engine and is built in Spain. However, this approach has produced a very competitive alternative to the Fiesta and Fusion; its length and width match the Fiesta’s, but (like the Fusion) it’s taller. This results in easier entry and egress, as well as more rear passenger room than in Fiesta, although luggage space behind the back seat is actually less, with the load cover in place. Remove it, though, and Mazda 2’s load aperture is better than even Fusion’s, with a vestigial load sill to ease in heavy objects. It’s easy to handle long items because (like Fusion’s) the front passenger seat backrest hinges forward, but (unlike Fusion) seat folding can’t be achieved without (temporarily) sliding the front cushions forward, as well, which is a pain. The Demio had the same problem. The driving seat and stance provide a supportive, in-command feel, although (fixed) lower-spinal support isn’t as good on the 1.6 Sport's seat and drivers attracted to this version, especially, may find the fixed-reach steering wheel too close for comfort, if they’re shorter. The TS lacks electric door mirrors and rear windows, air-con and alloy wheels, so budget-conscious buyers will do well to consider the basic, 1.25-litre S version; its engine is the previous Fiesta mainstay that’s no longer available in the Ford. OK, so it’s no fireball, but it’s very smooth and flexible, and willing to rev with no fuss. Alternatively, more hearty low-speed pulling is served up by the diesel, which is noisier at tickover, but has a lovely relaxed and remarkably subdued cruising gait. At the other end of the range is the 1.6; unfortunately offered only in top (most expensive) Sport trim. It’s enthusiast-overtones don’t extend to suspension tweaks – only lower-profile tyres, which seems to have no repercussions in terms of ride comfort. It grips and corners well, although all versions reveal a tendency to hobble and wobble over uneven lumpy roads, with signs of directional vagueness. This 1.6, like its smaller counterparts, is pleasingly flexible, handling 30mph pullaways in top gear, and is less raucous and thrummy than the 1.6 Fusion when going faster. |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
