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Saturday, January 24, 2015

CLOSE UP+Driven: Mazda 2 Skyactiv-G

In this blog entry, I'm reviewing the Newly launched Mazda 2 Skyactiv.  The 1st batch of 100 units brought in for delivery before Chinese New Year are Hatchback only.  Sedan only arrives on 2nd batch after Chinese New Year or by Early March.



The CBU from Thailand Mazda 2 Skyactiv is ALMOST Full Spec and is priced to sell at RM87,956 OTR With Insurance.  It comes with 3 years or 100,000km warranty with 3 years or 60,000km free maintenance.  Both Sedan and Hatchback Identical Price and kit counts.


KEY SPECS: 2015 Mazda 2 SkyActiv (Hatch/ Sedan)


Price: RM87,956 (OTR with insurance, both sedan and hatch identical price

Engine: 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G direct-injection petrol, high-compression in-line 4-cyl

Transmission: Six-speed SkyActiv-Drive torque converter automatic with paddle shifters and is equipped with i-Stop.
Power: 114hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 148Nm @ 4,000rpm


The interior: 
- keyless entry with push-button start,

- Single zone auto air-conditioning,

- black leather upholstery (with a red stripe running down the middle of the seats, Identical to Indonesian-market models),


- MZD Connect TOUCHSCREEN infotainment system (I-Drive like) with a seven-inch touchscreen, Commander Control knob and six speakers,


- Active Driving Display (head-up display) and Digital Speedometer. (Something omitted from Mazda 3).



- 60:40 split folding rear seatbacks.

- 220 litres and 410 litres boot space for Hatchback and Sedan respectively.

- Reverse Camera


Safety and Security: 
- Only stand out feature is Traction Control.  Mazda speaks DSC ("Dynamic Stability Control")

- Other than that similarly spec'ed like most B-segment cars.  There's only two airbags,
- ABS with EBD and brake assist available
- Isofix child seat anchors

- Burglar Alarm with Immobilizer.

What was omitted:
- LED Projector headlights with LED DRL (in place old school Halogen headlights with Bulb DRL)

- I-Eloop,
- 6 Airbags (2 airbags instead)
- Navigation system (RM1,200 cost option)

What we gained:
- REAR DISCS Brakes (Rear Drum brakes in Japan)

Only 4 Body Colours available: Soul Red Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl, Metropolitan Grey, Aluminium Metallic.

Dimensions and weight:

With a shared overall width of 1,695mm, the Mazda 2 Sedan is 260mm longer at 4320mm and 25mm taller at 1495mm than the Hatchback.

Speaking of the sedan, Here's OFFICIAL Bermaz Photos of the Sedan.




 At the kerb, the Sedan and Hatchback weigh in at 1,065kg and 1,056kg respectively.  As for the wheels, it's 16 inch alloy rims

with 185/60R16.  Dunlop Enasave ECO Tyres were fitted in Showroom display car.



Unique Selling Points (USP) among B-segments

- 6 speed SKYACTIV-Drive Automatic with torque converter and paddle shifters

- Normal or Sport mode at a flick of a switch.  Drive selection switch.  Adjusting the Throttle and gearbox response.
- HEAD UP DISPLAY (Active Driving Display) with Digital Speedometer

- Mazda MZD Connect infotainment system (I-Drive feel) with a seven-inch touchscreen, Commander Control knob and six speakers,

- SKYACTIV-G Direct Injection High Compression engine.  Fuel Consumption of 20km/l. Hence, certified EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicles)


- Retro Mercedes-like Air Vents with center Hidden Air vents.  Note the High quality Plastics and leather combo.

- tilt and telescopic, leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifter.


Above:  Looks like Mercedes A-class. No?

BRIEF DRIVE TIME:

I had a Very short 5km test driving the New Mazda 2 Skyactiv.  It's already nippy under Normal mode.  It's More than adequate in power with smooth torquey yet whisper quiet engine.  A flick to Sport mode and the "Demon" unleashed.  The gearchange was delayed, throttle response quicker, steering heavier and Engine sounds coarser.  BUT at the expense of Fuel Consumption as the "Distance to Empty" tank indicator dropped noticeably.

How's the interior space?
I let the photos do the talking:
Front adjusted as such.
Above: Poor rear legroom and decent rear headroom.  I'm 95kg, 175cm.

The impressive part is the Ride and Handling and NVH.  Very impressive for a B-segment.  It's a Driver's car.  Very Continental feel.  It ACED the following challenges: 

- Soaked up speed bumps
- tackle Hairpin Corners (U-turn) with minimal bodyroll
- cross potholes like a boss
- accelerates (0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds - Australian Spec) and braking 

I dared to say, it's the BEST RIDE and HANDLING B-segment around.  Only the Audi A3 and Ford Fiesta Ecoboost runs close. NOTE the Audi A3 PRICE more than DOUBLED.  It Puts even Honda City (previous benchmark) to shame.  Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Attrage/Mirage and Nissan Almera are leagues away.  Let's put it in English Football ranking in terms of N.V.H (Noise, Vibration and Harshness).  I call this "B-segment N.V.H League".

PREMIER LEAGUE
Mazda 2 Skyactiv, Audi A3 (included for benchmark purpose) and Ford Fiesta Ecoboost

DIVISION 1 (Championship)
 Honda City, VW Polo, Honda Jazz, Suzuki Swift and Peugeot 208

Division 2:
Chevrolet Sonic, Kia Rio, Proton IRIZ (let down by CVT)


Division 3:
Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Attrage/Mirage


Division 4:
Nissan Almera (Underpower, Noisy, Poorest N.V.H, Ugly too).  Only 2 reasons to buy is the Affordable Buying price and lowest maintenance.

CONCLUSION:

This is The Best ALL-Rounded under RM100,000 B-segment money can buy.   There's only 3 drawbacks.  El-cheapo Halogen Headlights with Bulb DRL,


 poor rear legroom (Hey, Mazda 3 Skyactiv also have this problem) and 2 airbags.  The Headlights can be upgraded in the near future, as for the 2 Airbags?

Bermaz explanation only Australian Market comes with 6 airbags.   Rest of South East Asia gets only 2 Airbags.   My Rating 8/10 for hatchback and 9/10 for sedan.  Reason hatchback lower is because of the Pathetic Boot Space and poor headroom.   Can't wait to SEE/FEEL/TOUCH the Sedan.  Shall Review this Scoreline if it fell below my expectations.  Watch this space.

If you want to buy this car, call me, Jefferson Lim.  012-6852-718. MJ SU - 012-601-8038  Or Ethen Leong at 019-7296625.  Location: Mazda Taman Megah.









 Above and below: PACKED SHOWROOM.  I need to wait 45 mins for test drive.

 Above: the test drive Car.





That's all folks, thanks for your time and patience reading this Blog entry, An Original Jefferson Lim's production. If you want to copy, please quote "SOURCE: otoreview" or give link to this page.  Copy like a man, Don't plagiarize.


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