Mazda2 named World_Car of the Year!

[TinmanMS6]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/mazda2_wcoty_winner.jpg

The fireworks are cold, the confetti cartridges are spent, and the 2008 World Car of the Year Awards have come to an end. Based on standards of merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, significance, and emotional appeal, the three finalists were the Volvo Ford Mondeo, Mazda2/Demio and Mercedes C-Class. Don't read any further if, for some reason, you don't want to know what the 2008 World Car of the Year is and you haven't seen the photo above: the Mazda 2/Demio. What we earlier called the squat hatch with the aggressive wedge shape and swooping beltline showed its well-proportioned rump (also our term, and Mazda, feel free to quote us) to worthy competition.

[SuperStretch18]

And yet we'll never see it in the US?

[TinmanMS6]

That's not certain yet. I do know that it shouldn't be called a "world car" if it's not sold in the biggest market in the world.

[coolmazda5]

That's not certain yet. I do know that it shouldn't be called a "world car" if it's not sold in the biggest market in the world.

hey, its already sold in China ;)

[mikeyb]

hey, its already sold in China ;)

I was just going to say that.

[TinmanMS6]

Has China passed the US yet? I know there are a lot more people, but I don't think they buy more cars yet.

[major error]

I keep telling my friend to go to the local dealerships and complain. This is the sort of car he wants.
I've been badgering him to get a 3; he likes mine but the doesn't want a 4-door. (something about doors creaking due to non-use?) :rolleyes:

[coolmazda5]

What about this one?

Oh my, Mazda2 is hitting like a mule kick. It better be brought to this side of the pond. Zoom-Zoom to you South Africans (2thumbs)... plus, talking about Mazda, the Mazda5 made it as one of the eight finalists :D

The South African Car of the Year (Coty) for 2008, announced last night, is the Mazda2 1.5 Individual.

The choice by a jury of 32 members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists was a popular one, journalist Gerry Gericke said.

“It’s a most impressive car, and was well supported by most journalists.”

The eight other finalists for the prestigious title were: Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet Sport; Honda CR-V 2.2 I-CTDI; Land Rover Freelander 2.2 TD4 HSE; Lexus LS 460; Mazda5 2.0 Active; Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI; Nissan Qashqai 2.0 Acenta; and Toyota Corolla 1.8 Exclusive.

The cars were assessed at a two-day test session at the Gerotek facility.

The evaluation included high speed dynamic assessment; an autokhana test to mark manoeuvrability, parking prowess and general ease of control and driving tests under various conditions, all the while taking fuel economy into account.

A static evaluation of each finalist also contributed to the car’s score in terms of aesthetics, build quality and ergonomics, while considerations based on perceptions of value for money, cost of a spares’ basket, safety features and environmental friendliness contributed to overall points.

Coty is unique in the world in that the victor is determined not by popular vote, but by actual testing to determine by what margins they meet the criteria for honours.

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=184266

[coolmazda5]

he likes mine but the doesn't want a 4-door. (something about doors creaking due to non-use?) :rolleyes:

Yeah, happened to my old Honda but applying some lithium white grease does the job and to be honest, if that is the only issue, Mazda3 > Mazda2, come on, no brainer...

[BlackCherry06]

I keep telling my friend to go to the local dealerships and complain. This is the sort of car he wants.
I've been badgering him to get a 3; he likes mine but the doesn't want a 4-door. (something about doors creaking due to non-use?) :rolleyes:

LOL....are you kidding? Ha....tell him all he has to do is open the doors and clean the seals occasionally and they won't creak. LOL that's hilarious. Mine creak if I go through several storms before it gets washed again. Something about dirty rain water makes them noisy.

[TinmanMS6]

Yeah, happened to my old Honda but applying some lithium white grease does the job and to be honest, if that is the only issue, Mazda3 > Mazda2, come on, no brainer...

Depends on your priorities. The 2 will definitely get better fuel economy, and I think it looks better. It's a lot lighter, so it may very well handle better also.
(dunno)

[TheMAN]

LOL....are you kidding? Ha....tell him all he has to do is open the doors and clean the seals occasionally and they won't creak. LOL that's hilarious. Mine creak if I go through several storms before it gets washed again. Something about dirty rain water makes them noisy.
just a shitty door checker design in the new mazdas (yay ford)... the CX-7 had this problem so much that mazda released a TSB for it, but the design is still the same on the other new mazdas (different part though)

[Antoine]

Bottom line...Mazda has done a really good job with the 2/Demio and they deserve such an award...I really believe that Mazda is one of the few car companies out there these days...that is actually passionate about creating cars that people can be excited about owning and driving!

(drive)(rockon)

[Dimitrios]

I'd rock a Mazda2; love it.

[clicknext]

They should bring it over here, if they did I might make it my next car. And how awesome would a Mazdaspeed2 hot hatch be??

[clos561]

im telling my sister to get it, so i can drive it

[rishi CX-7]

Oh gosh, ever since Mazda started talking about this car I've been staying tuned with news all about it!

If the Mazda2 comes out in the U.S, I'm buying one! Yes, a Mazda2 hot hatch would be incredible. screw the yaris and fit! mazda2 had better be on its way

[Matt22]

Hopefully it will get here in time to me Turbo Charged. Hell even 4WD.

[7mileshome]

I like it, and would buy it.

[fkmp5]

Oh gosh, ever since Mazda started talking about this car I've been staying tuned with news all about it!

If the Mazda2 comes out in the U.S, I'm buying one! Yes, a Mazda2 hot hatch would be incredible. screw the yaris and fit! mazda2 had better be on its way

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/04/29/mazda2-coming-to-america-as-ford-fiesta-in-2009/

[zoomzoomnavarro]

i looked at the atuoblog, and i hate the way it looks, it looks like a kia rio! the mazda 2 is so much more appealing. if the ford is coming i think we can probably expect the 2 in 2010??

[Rockin03mp5]

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/04/29/mazda2-coming-to-america-as-ford-fiesta-in-2009/

Ya beat me to it.

The 2 looks sooooooo much better than the Fiesta.

People are talking about the Fiesta like crazy around here. (Detroit area)

They don't believe me when I say it's just a Mazda2. (they don't like foreign cars around here)

Check this out.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/hatchbacks/ford-reveals-2009-fiesta-hatch/

Gee... just like the Focus. They redesign it to make it look great, and sell it only in Europe. Man Ford is stupid. So we are only going to get the hand-me-down Fiesta just like the focus.

They say by 2010 it will be on sale in North America, but that probably just means Canada. They had the Smart car way before it was sold here.

[techspeak]

i love that giant CV boot style Shifter boot on the Fiesta.. lol

Mazda2 FTW

[mountdor13]

Dear All,

I am new to this user forum and a new Mazda Demio (2002) owner/driver. I recently purchased a used Demio 2002 model. The user manual is in all Japanese, so I don't understand anything. The former owner used premium unleaded fuel in the vehicle; but I am desirous of switching to super unleaded. Does anyone out there have a Mazda 2002 owner manual that says what is the recommended fuel. I really need to know so that I can know for sure if I can make the switch? I think super unleaded is a 92 octane fuel. Many thanks in advance for your advice.

Marvin

[techspeak]

Try it out. Super shouldnt be a problem but if you hear pinging and knocking from the engine then you can go back to Premium, but you shouldnt have a problem.

Anyone wondering, "Super" that this guy is talking about is like our Regular And "Premium" is like our Premium or Super here.... their 92 octane Super is RON which is about equal to our 87 RON+MON/2..