2011 Mazda 2 Features

A 1.6-liter 4-cylinder is the likely engine choice for the 2011 Mazda 2. In August 2009, Consumer Guide Automotive spotted this Mazda 2 in the Los Angeles area.

As for options, the 2011 Mazda 2 should list air conditioning, power windows, remote power locks, and other expected conveniences, but don't look for weighty items like motorized seats or a power sunroof that would detract from performance and fuel economy. Because the 2 will undoubtedly be pitched to younger first-time buyers, many options will be geared to that audience. That probably means things like alloy wheels, cloth upholstery mimicking sportswear fabrics, a thumping audio system, and connections for cell phones and MP3 players.

With all this, the 2011 Mazda 2 promises to be one of the more entertaining mini-misers on the U.S. scene, yet no less practical than most rivals. Assuming Mazda can deliver it at the right price and in sufficient numbers, it's hard to see how it can miss.

A Notable Feature of the 2011 Mazda 2

Automakers everywhere are being pressured to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions; lightening up is one of the best ways to do both. It's the same with people. Losing pounds helps you look and feel better. But "adding lightness" to a car is no easier than dieting or working out. Not only does it cost money, it's at odds with crash safety requirements. That's one reason so many vehicles get larger and heavier with each redesign, a vicious cycle that certainly won't go on much longer.

The redesigned Mazda 2 has already changed course by weighing a substantial 220 lb less than the car it replaces, this despite little change in overall size. What's the secret? Call it a case of one thing leading to another. It starts with a unibody that uses 40-percent more high-strength steel than before. That allows structural members to be thinner and thus lighter versus regular steel without compromising rigidity or crash performance. Aiding the cause is a steel brace linking the front strut towers, an item usually reserved for pricey high-performance cars. Less mass, in turn, allows using lighter brakes, suspension components, and other underbody hardware. The new model's electric power steering, for instance, weighs less than a conventional hydraulic system. Analyzing the rest of the car enabled engineers to shave more pounds and in surprising places. For example, the redesign trimmed 6.4 lb via a shorter wiring loom and another 2.2 lb by substituting neodymium for ferrite in the stereo speakers.

Of course, there's a point of diminishing returns with any weight-watching regimen, but the new Mazda 2 doesn't go overboard, judging by European road tests. Indeed, it has earned high marks for quietness, ride comfort, and handling versus many competitors. It's also worth noting that Mazda's slimming program doesn't resort to expensive measures like aluminum body panels or carbon-fiber seat shells. After all, affordability is a must in the entry-level class, which is why small cars are typically so straightforward in materials and engineering.