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Mazda2 to cost from £11,995 and offer emissions as low as 89g/km of CO2
26th January 2015 11.50
The most efficient version of the new Mazda2 will emit just 89g/km whilst returning up to 69.0mpg when it goes on sale. It will cost from £11,995, meaning that it will carry a £2,000 and £3,000 premium over its arch rivals, the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa, respectively.
The new Mazda2 will come with a clutch of 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engines in both petrol & diesel formats. The petrol equivalents range in size from 74bhp through to 113bhp and emit between 105 and 115g/km of CO2. The most fuel-efficient petrol model will return as much as 48.0mpg. The most powerful engine, however, will be a 1.5-litre diesel that will produce 103bhp and 162lb ft of pulling power. It will also be amongst the most efficient, emitting just 89g/km of CO2 and offering up to 69.0mpg.
Irrespective of which engine you choose, power will be transmitted to the front wheels via either a five or 6-speed manual gearbox. A 6-speed automatic will be available in the mid-range 89bhp petrol engine, which in mid-range SE-L Nav spec, is likely to be the most popular model in the range. It will come with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB digital radio, a range of Mazda-specific apps to link your smartphone to the car, and satellite navigation fitted as standard. It also benefits from larger alloy wheels, keyless entry and full climate control.
Efficiency improvements have been achieved by combining new engine technology with weight saving measures. The lightest Mazda2 model weighs just 970kg – 65kg less than the car it replaces. This has been achieved despite a significant growth spurt and more equipment. The car’s length is now 175mm longer, but the width remains at 1,695mm. In an effort to improve headroom for both front and rear occupants, the car now sits 20mm taller than before.
The Mazda2 will be the fourth member of Mazda’s completely refreshed line-up to carry forward the marque’s new Kodo design language. It is also the first Mazda2 not to share its platform with the Ford Fiesta.
It inherits many design cues from its bigger Mazda3 sibling hatchback, including a wide-mouthed front grille with chrome trim that neatly feeds into the headlights, above which sits a swooping bonnet. At the rear, there is an angled rear tailgate.
Open the door, and the family resemblance continues into the cabin. The dashboard has a lot more clarity and looks a lot more cleaner in design than the outgoing model – again taking its styling cues from the Ford Focus-rivalling Mazda 3 small family hatch. New dials with chrome surrounds provides a premium feel and a pop-up display sits next to them.
The Mazda2 features big-car technology, including MZD in-car connectivity.
Safety features large in the new Mazda2. There is ABS with electronic brakeforce assist and distribution, traction and stability control, emergency stop assist, hill hold assist, and tyre pressure monitoring. But in addition to these features which are already, or are increasingly becoming common, higher end models of the Mazda2 feature lane departure warning, automatic city braking, high-beam control, blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring.
To mark the arrival of the new Mazda2, there will be a Mazda2 Launch Edition that will cost £14,995. This features additional equipment including satellite navigation, 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors and the free option of a pearlescent paintjob.
The Mazda2 was once a quirky alternative to the likes of the Fiesta and Corsa. However, this new generation model should make it a far more attractive proposition to a wider audience and make it an overall a stronger contender in what is a very challenging and talented sector.
A specific date has still to be set.
VW launch Polo petrol capable of emitting just 94g/km of CO2
15th January 2015 10:25
The new VW Polo BlueMotion petrol will emit just 94g/km, the German company has announced today. It has also confirmed that order books have now opened ahead of the first deliveries starting in March. It will be priced from £14,730 - £1,065 less than the diesel BlueMotion model.
The engine produces 94bhp and is based on the 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that returns 68.9mpg on the combined cycle. Maximum power is delivered at 5,000 and 5,500rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and is capable of developing 87lb ft from between 1,500 and 3,500rpm. This is enough to get the Polo BlueMotion petrol to 62mph from a standing start in 10.5 seconds before going on to top out at 119mph.
The diesel is powered by a new 1.4-litre turbocharged unit that returns 91.1mpg and emits just 82g/km of CO2.
Like the diesel Polo BlueMotion, and mirroring the larger Golf BlueMotion, the petrol version will be based on the entry-level S trim. It will be readily identified from that car by the addition of an aerodynamic body kit that comprises of re-worked bumpers at both ends, side skirts and a rear roof spoiler. There are also coloured door handles, body coloured door mirrors with integrated indicated, front fog lights with static cornering function, BlueMotion badging and 15-inch ‘Buenos Aires’ alloy wheels that are wrapped in low-rolling resistance tyres.
Inside, over and above the S-trimmed car, it gets a multifunction leather steering wheel, alarm with remote central locking, air conditioning, a front centre armrest, a higher grade Composition Media and infotainment system which includes Volkswagen’s Driver Alert System and cruise control. You also get the Think Blue efficiency training software which tells you how to drive more efficiently, whether you like that or not.
In common with all other Polo models, buyers also benefit from a colour touchscreen interface, SD card reader, DAB radio tuner plus USB and AUX-in connections.
The three door petrol model starts from £14,730 whilst the same body with the diesel engine kicks off at £15,795. Five door models start at £15,360 and £16,425 respectively.
