2011 Mazda 2 Hatchback

The 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback with the Zoom Zoom experience slogan use by Mazda Indonesia is the third generation of Mazda 2 and the slickest yet coming out of the production line. With the bold contours and body line the 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback gives a sporty and athletic impression.

The 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback provides another option for Indonesian hatchback users and with a pretty reasonable price of just Rp 179 million for the Mazda 2 HB S entry level with manual transmission and Rp 211 million for the Mazda 2 HB R AT top of the line automatic transmission, 2011 Mazda is an option worth considering.

The 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback dimension is 3,913 mm long, 1,695 mm wide and 1,487 mm tall which is more than enough for a standard Indonesian hatchback with ground clearance of 150 mm. The car is powered 1.5 litter MZR In-line 4 cylinder, DOHC 16 valve with S-VT (Sequential Valve Timing) and ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) gasoline engine and available in manual and automatic transmission mode.

The fuel consumption estimated by EPA is 12.3 km/l for city driving and 14.88 for highway driving while the fuel tank can hold 43 liter of unleaded gasoline. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder’s 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque is strong enough to pull the total car curb weight of 1,088 kg with speed from 0 to 100 km/h of just under 10 seconds. But the most beautiful thing about Mazda 2 hatchback is the sound of the engine which gives a modded impression even in its standard form.

If you think that the 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback looks very much like the Ford Fiesta then you are correct. The two vehicles share the same platform which also a testament to the versatility of the design.

In spite of its light weight and compact size, The 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback boasts some of the highest safety ratings in its class. Active safety measures include high-speed stability tuned on highways for assured control, along with a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to enhance stopping power. Passive safety is built around the evolved Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System that delivers outstanding protection in front, side and rear impacts by dispersing collision energy around the body and fiercely resisting cabin deformation as well as dual front airbags to add another layer of protection.

The 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback interior has a good all round visibility due to the design of it’s A beam. The interior is made from tough material made to last rather than looks with tightly fitting panel gaps. The fuss-free dash layout mixes chunky rotary heater dials and clearly labeled stereo buttons. The steering wheel and pedals are perfectly positioned and the high-mounted gearlever means it won’t rub abrasively against your left knee.

Mazda Minagi Compact SUV Concept Officially Revealed

While it has been reported by several sources as a “leak”, we eventually found the official release and photos of the new Mazda Minagi Concept. Planned teaser or not, it’s certain that the design study will make its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, providing us a preview of the firm's upcoming compact SUV model, rumored to carry the CX-5 moniker.

The Minagi Concept will also showcase Mazda's next-generation of fuel-efficient powertrain and chassis technologies, branded under the [new] SKYACTIV name.

The Japanese firm didn’t reveal any details on the concept's specifications, simply stating that the Minagi "is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with the assurance of ample safety features."

Aside from the Minagi, the Japanese automaker’s stand will also feature separate technology exhibits as well as the Mazda Shinari sports saloon study.

By Csaba Daradics

Main Exhibits at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Reference exhibits

Mazda MINAGI (world premiere)

Mazda SHINARI (European premiere)

Technology exhibits

New Mazda SKYACTIV-G direct injection gasoline engine

New Mazda SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine

New Mazda SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission

New Mazda SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission

Vehicles currently on sale

Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, Mazda MX-5, Mazda CX-7, Mazda BT-50

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Mazda5 MPV gets New 115HP 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel in Europe, Returns 5.2lt/100km - 45 MPG

Targeting better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, Mazda has announced that the European market Mazda5 minivan is now available with a new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine, which replaces the previous 2.0-liter unit.

“For the engine line-up of the new Mazda5, we placed emphasis on environmental performance and fuel economy. This aim led us to use Mazda’s 2.0-liter direct-injection petrol engine with i-stop, and to replace the 2.0-liter diesel engine with a newly developed 1.6-liter turbo diesel unit that leads the class in low CO2 emission levels”, said Hideki Matsuoka, Program Manager Mazda5.

Thanks to its smaller displacement and aluminum alloy block, the new powerplant is a whopping 120 kg (265 lbs) lighter than the 2.0-liter diesel it replaces, without sacrificing performance. In fact, with 115HP and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque, the turbocharged four-pot produces +5HP, while using 14.8% less fuel in the combined cycle (5.2 lt/100 km or 45 US mpg) and emitting 13.2 percent less CO2 (138 g/km).

The new engine is also Euro5 compliant. It does this by using a low compression ratio (16:1) and an efficient exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler and bypass system. Other features of the MZ-CD 1.6 unit are the piezo injectors, variable-geometry turbocharger and maintenance-free diesel particulate filter (DPF) system.

The Mazda5 MZ-CD 1.6 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 13.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).

All Mazda5s come as standard with power-adjustable side mirrors, manual air conditioning, driver seat height adjustment, power windows, power door locks and four-speaker radio. The safety equipment list includes six airbags, ABS, dynamic stability control (DSC), electric brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist and traction control (TCS).

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Kawasaki ZX10 takes on Mazda RX-7 with Corvette V8 in Drift Challenge

Now here's something you don't see every day. Sent in by Carscoop reader Łukasz Ż, this enjoyable time-waster of the day pits a motorcycle against a rear-wheel drive sports car in an out of the ordinary drift challenge. In one corner we have Nick "Apex" Brocha of Icon Motorsports piloting a 2005 Kawasaki ZX10 with 175HP and an extended swingarm. In the other corner is professional racecar driver Jim Guthrie in a 1993 Mazda RX-7 powered by a 375HP Corvette V8 engine. The result? Follow the jump to find out.

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Mazda RX-8 Club Malaysia Organizes Mega Gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Creates Awesome Video Trailers

Our friend Shawnz, who you may remember from the Mazda RX-8 Coupe project we showed you last February, sent us these teaser trailers from a video that is currently being prepared to showcase a very large gathering of the rotary-powered sports cars that was held on the streets of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

In Shawnz's own words: "The event took place on 27th Nov 2010 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The total registered cars were 99! Damn, one more member and we would of reached the magic number of 100... The full video clip will be out pretty soon, possibly in mid-February... (fingers crossed)."

As you can see in the trailers after the jump, the convoy of Mazda RX-8s was so large that police escort was needed. We'll bring you the full video as soon as it comes out.

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Top Gear's Christmas Special Cars go on Display at the World of Top Gear Exhibition in the UK

This year’s Top Gear Christmas Special saw Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May embark on their most dangerous challenge yet: following the path of the three wise men, which took them on a 1,200 mile (1,932 km) journey, from Iraq to Bethlehem. In classic Top Gear fashion, the TV show hosts completed the trip in a trio of specially modified cars. These vehicles are now on display in the World of Top Gear exhibition at Beaulieu, UK.

Jeremy Clarkson bet his money on a Mazda MX5 that featured a unique “car of many colors” paintjob, an “axle of evil” and body full of holes, as a testimony to a “bulletproofing” plan gone wrong. An oversized bullbar and hookah pipe were also installed, but the latter fell off at some point in the journey.

James May went for an Afrika Korps and Luftwaffe themed BMW Z3, complete with a shovel and pickaxe mounted on the bonnet, plus a gas canister on the left fender.

Richard Hammond used a Fiat Barchetta, which, surprisingly, proved to be quite reliable. Special touches applied included actual “bits” of desert glued to the front of the car and parts of a Bedouin tent strapped to the rear.

World of Top Gear features a collection of cars used over the years in different challenges by the cast of the TV show and it also includes the “Enormodrome”, a recreation of the actual studio where the show is filmed.

“We like to keep the exhibition as up to date as we possibly can and what could be better than for fans to see the show on TV and then the cars just a few days later”, said Stephen Munn, Commercial Director at the National Motor Museum.

For more information visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.

By Csaba Daradics

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