Try and envision the old Mazda2. No? Unaccountably tall of physical height, but short on importance or curiosity, it was an automobile to overlook. The brand new one's considerably more convincing. It seems better, also it drives better. It also - I expect - marks an engineering landmark and turning point for superminis generally.

Mazda has managed to decrease 100kg - around 10 percent - from the vehicle in contrast to the old one, therefore it goes quicker and uses much less gas.

Particularly in a supermini, where aluminum is so pricey - meeting crash requirements is difficult enough anyhow, but harder nonetheless with dimension and decreased weight. However they reveal the Mazda2 is established for a fivestar Euro NCAP rating. The key is a fresh body structure, using lots of newly developed steel that is four times as powerful as the normal things.

You do not just have the effect in functionality, although under 10secs to 60miles per hour from the 1.5 is more than commendable. It is the entire way the car feels. It is agile, dynamic to the turns as well as on the brakes, sharp for the accelerator, a machine which dances in which a fatboy Clio plods.

Admittedly, on this early brief test-run (it in September), it sale goes on was difficult to be certain about all this, and there was a feeling of little imprecision for the moves. Additionally, it appears Mazda has managed to go a way to addressing its running refinement, street noise and outdated bogeys. It does not feel miniature or tinny.

Inside, the environment is ethereal and clean, and also the fashion of the dashboard is good in the eyes, but affordable for the touch of the finger-tips. Is low cost or low fat the explanation for all these tough, filthy plastics?

The tailgate opening is smaller, to create the rear end stronger. To save weight, the mechanism is very simple.

You likely will not detect. However the same system will get into next year's Fiesta, also. Every little helps...

2012 Mazda Mazda2 Test Drive & Car Review