Mazda pursued a concentrated, taut form for the body as a virtue in itself, not to simply reduce the car’s body size. This creative background was advantageous in efforts to achieve maximum dynamic performance within the new Mazda2’s compact body. In other words, the Mazda2 possesses the essence of Mazda’s spirit of compact, sporty dynamic performance – “Zoom-Zoom Concentrated.”
In pursuit of a solid form and a richly expressive exterior design, Mazda established an exterior design theme of “coordinated movement”. In line with this theme, the design team combined the visual movements created by the car’s silhouette, its body lines, and the way in which patterns of light played on the body to create dynamic, multifaceted expressions not typically seen on a subcompact car. These expressions exude a powerful energy that makes the new Mazda2 look as though it is moving while standing still. Key exterior design elements include: a sporty wedge shape that conveys a strong sense of forward motion; a deeply sculpted form in which the body is drawn inward fore and aft of the A-pillars; and distinctive character lines that extend from the front fender arches to the body shoulders.
Mazda focused on realizing driver-oriented manoeuvrability and confidence-inspiring driving dynamics ｆor a Zoom-Zoom driving experience that is unique in this segment. At the same time, Mazda maintained a development focus on delivering high cost-effectiveness in situations ranging from day-to-day driving to long excursions on a weekend. Specifically, Mazda worked to make the new Mazda2 economical to own in terms of fuel costs through its excellent fuel economy and improved durability.
The Zoom-Zoom driving experience that Mazda strives for has two key attributes: 1) a sense of linear acceleration and deceleration that responds crisply to how far the accelerator pedal is depressed, allowing the driver to control car speed as desired; and 2) a sense of liveliness through immediate response to the accelerator for quick off-the-line acceleration and overtaking. The development team targeted a performance feel reflecting enhancement of both of these key attributes without adversely impacting on the Mazda2’s superior fuel economy as a subcompact car.
The new Mazda2 inherits a highly regarded suspension system, which has MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam axle at the rear. With improved steering and braking systems, the resulting dynamic performance yields consistently responsive handling and a smooth, stable ride that draws much from the legendary MX-5.
In order to create more comfortable day-to-day driving, Mazda took various measures to achieve a quiet cabin environment. Mazda also improved the coefficient of drag values to achieve better aerodynamics, contributing not only to the Mazda2’s quietness, but also to a more sporty ride and fuel efficiency.
In order to form the best balance between lower fuel consumption, outstanding driving dynamics and top-level safety performance, the new Mazda2 reflects the close attention paid to minimizing weight through its smaller body shell, optimization of the structure, extensive use of high-tensile steel in its body and many other weight-saving measures implemented throughout the car. Under this approach, Mazda made the best use of weight-saving know-how, similar to the “gram” strategy employed during the development of the MX-5 sports car. As a result, the Mazda2 has achieved world-leading crash safety ratings (five stars in the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the highest possible result) without compromising driving performance and fuel economy.
In line with the way subcompact cars are mainly used as day-to-day commuters, with a driver-oriented development philosophy, the Mazda2 has achieved a level of drivability and nimbleness that enables easy manoeuvrability, even in small car-parking areas and other tight spaces.
Additional information on the 2011 Mazda2’s features, specifications and pricing will be available at a later date.
The Mazda Active2 Snow concept takes the Mazda2 a step further thanks to a more aggressive front bumper and side sill package. Handling performance is enhanced with 17" alloy wheels, 215/45/17 Yokahama Advan Neova 008 maximum performance tires and an H&R coil over suspension. The sheet metal is finished in Frozen White and detailed with Active2 graphics subtly displayed on the hood and driver-side fender finished in graphite and Spirited Green, with matching wheels and mirrors. The Mazda Active2 Snow has also been set up with a Thule roof rack system and matching snowboards.
photo:Mazda
In pursuit of a solid form and a richly expressive exterior design, Mazda established an exterior design theme of “coordinated movement”. In line with this theme, the design team combined the visual movements created by the car’s silhouette, its body lines, and the way in which patterns of light played on the body to create dynamic, multifaceted expressions not typically seen on a subcompact car. These expressions exude a powerful energy that makes the new Mazda2 look as though it is moving while standing still. Key exterior design elements include: a sporty wedge shape that conveys a strong sense of forward motion; a deeply sculpted form in which the body is drawn inward fore and aft of the A-pillars; and distinctive character lines that extend from the front fender arches to the body shoulders.
Mazda focused on realizing driver-oriented manoeuvrability and confidence-inspiring driving dynamics ｆor a Zoom-Zoom driving experience that is unique in this segment. At the same time, Mazda maintained a development focus on delivering high cost-effectiveness in situations ranging from day-to-day driving to long excursions on a weekend. Specifically, Mazda worked to make the new Mazda2 economical to own in terms of fuel costs through its excellent fuel economy and improved durability.
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The Zoom-Zoom driving experience that Mazda strives for has two key attributes: 1) a sense of linear acceleration and deceleration that responds crisply to how far the accelerator pedal is depressed, allowing the driver to control car speed as desired; and 2) a sense of liveliness through immediate response to the accelerator for quick off-the-line acceleration and overtaking. The development team targeted a performance feel reflecting enhancement of both of these key attributes without adversely impacting on the Mazda2’s superior fuel economy as a subcompact car.
The new Mazda2 inherits a highly regarded suspension system, which has MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam axle at the rear. With improved steering and braking systems, the resulting dynamic performance yields consistently responsive handling and a smooth, stable ride that draws much from the legendary MX-5.
In order to create more comfortable day-to-day driving, Mazda took various measures to achieve a quiet cabin environment. Mazda also improved the coefficient of drag values to achieve better aerodynamics, contributing not only to the Mazda2’s quietness, but also to a more sporty ride and fuel efficiency.
In order to form the best balance between lower fuel consumption, outstanding driving dynamics and top-level safety performance, the new Mazda2 reflects the close attention paid to minimizing weight through its smaller body shell, optimization of the structure, extensive use of high-tensile steel in its body and many other weight-saving measures implemented throughout the car. Under this approach, Mazda made the best use of weight-saving know-how, similar to the “gram” strategy employed during the development of the MX-5 sports car. As a result, the Mazda2 has achieved world-leading crash safety ratings (five stars in the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the highest possible result) without compromising driving performance and fuel economy.
In line with the way subcompact cars are mainly used as day-to-day commuters, with a driver-oriented development philosophy, the Mazda2 has achieved a level of drivability and nimbleness that enables easy manoeuvrability, even in small car-parking areas and other tight spaces.
Additional information on the 2011 Mazda2’s features, specifications and pricing will be available at a later date.
The Mazda Active2 Snow concept takes the Mazda2 a step further thanks to a more aggressive front bumper and side sill package. Handling performance is enhanced with 17" alloy wheels, 215/45/17 Yokahama Advan Neova 008 maximum performance tires and an H&R coil over suspension. The sheet metal is finished in Frozen White and detailed with Active2 graphics subtly displayed on the hood and driver-side fender finished in graphite and Spirited Green, with matching wheels and mirrors. The Mazda Active2 Snow has also been set up with a Thule roof rack system and matching snowboards.
photo:Mazda