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2011 Mazda2 Subcompact To Launch At Los Angeles Auto Show Page 2

 
6,804 views Nov 23, 2009
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2011 Mazda2

2011 Mazda2

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Five-door only

We'll only see one model of the 2011 Mazda Mazda2, a five-door hatchback. The subcompact is offered in other markets as a three-door too, but Mazda officials don't see much of a U.S. market for that style.

When the latest Mazda2 (known as the Demio in Japan) was unveiled in 2007, its engineering team won global praise. In fact, a panel of international automotive journalists voted to award the Mazda2 the title of 2008 World Car of the Year.

Bigger, better...and lighter

Those engineers had achieved a remarkable feat: They created a car that was not only more capable, more capacious, and better equipped than its predecessor, but also--at 2,200 pounds--fully 220 pounds lighter.

For the Mazda2, they used ultra-high-tensile steel and stronger welds to take weight out of the body structure while improving rigidity. They were also able to reduce the coefficient of drag to 0.32, a very respectable number for a car less than 13 feet long.

Crowded segment

In the U.S., the 2011 Mazda Mazda2 enters a crowded field of subcompact competitors. Among others, it will face off against its platform mate, the brand-new 2011 Ford Fiesta that will also be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Other competitors include the well-received 2010 Honda Fit, as well as the Toyota Yaris, the Nissan Versa, the Kia Rio, and the now-aging Chevrolet Aveo (likely to be replaced in 2011 or 2012).

Given the available features on many of these cars, their full suite of safety equipment, and combined fuel efficiency ratings well over 30 miles per gallon, many analysts feel the subcompact segment will show slow but steady growth. Automakers, too, need these cars to sell, which will help them meet increasingly more stringent fuel efficiency standards between now and 2015.






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Comments (6)

  1. By  chip tuning MMC Posted: 12/1/2009 8:02am PST

    Mazda is my favourite car. They are japanese made perfections.
     
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  2. By  Plasztikaisebészet Posted: 2/3/2010 2:25am PST

    These are very beautiful!
    The Japans forge ahead !
     
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  3. By  Etrendkiegeszitok Posted: 2/5/2010 1:22am PST

    When is it possible to get it in Europe?
    I guess will be expensive !
     
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  4. By  Magánnyomozó Posted: 2/17/2010 2:23am PST

    Nice..I like this color..only this..
     
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  5. By  Ugyved Posted: 3/10/2010 2:46am PST

    Where is the electric engine? I like the electric power...
     
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  6. By  Takarító szolgálat Posted: 4/22/2010 1:56am PDT

    Green colours, green power..:)
     
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