Mazda 2 Hybrid, test and real consumption of the best hybrid city car | Video

We have always known the small Mazda 2 and only recently, the Japanese manufacturer has decided to support them also there new Mazda 2 Hybrida model parallel to the already known range but equipped with the technology full-hybrid engine.

In an era characterized by the energy transition and the attention increasingly focused on the containment of emissions (and production costs), we should not be so surprised to see builders collaborate for the realization of common projects (especially in the case of segment B, of city cars, not very profitable). This is obviously a rebranding of the Toyota Yaris, but the two Japanese manufacturers are not new to this type of collaboration, holding each other’s shares.

You may not know, for example, that in the United States, the Toyota Yaris presented in 2020 was nothing more than “our” Mazda 2. Now the time is ripe for the two manufacturers to exchange the favor again, seeing in fact, Mazda’s need to include small, greener models with lower emissions in the price list: the new Mazda 2 Hybrid manages to stay below the 90 g / km CO2 threshold, precisely 87 g / km.

The choice to “fish” a full-hybrid engine from the outside lies in the Multi-Solutions strategy Mazda, aimed at offering its customers not a single mechanical technology but a wide range of possibilities, leaving its motorists the freedom to choose which motorization best meets their needs. Within the Mazda range we find endothermic cars, with engines gas, dieselboth of them too mild-hybrid oa six cylinderswithout forgetting the plug-in hybrids of the new Mazda CX-60 or the electric, with Mazda MX-30, also waiting for the range extender system.

always made starting from technology TNGA-B platform Toyota, a native electrified to be able to accommodate internal combustion engines but also a full-hybrid mechanics, as in our case. modular, light and also resistant, almost an excellence in this segment of belonging. The new Mazda 2 Hybrid therefore does not change the sizewith a length of 3.94 meters1.75 m wide and 1.50 m high, so as to be a perfect ally in the intricate urban jungle.

I have always been a fan of the Yaris, especially for this latest generation. It is among the most compact in the B segment but inside it does not discount in terms of spaceIn fact, the TNGA-B modular platform allows you to have a lot margin for legs and head for the front passengers, while in the back it is possible to accommodate two other passengers without too many impediments, it is better for them not to exceed one meter and 80 in height, so as not to touch with the legs from the front. Obviously there are no ventilation openings or USB sockets available and, perhaps more seriously, lacks even one courtesy light for the part rear.

There dashboard it appears tidy and rather sober, without aesthetic charms that particularly catch the eye. There are for lot of rooms e compartments brings objects, always useful in the city and on the road. Do not miss the induction charging for the smartphone and a standard USB socket. The materials are mostly plastic but the assemblies seem quite strong.

There is arational approachwithout necessarily having to trace everything back to the multimedia system: in fact, we find comfortable physical controls for adjusting the automatic climate and all the useful functions while driving, including the shortcuts to navigate the infotainment interface.

The Mazda2 Hybrid will also be a small B-segment city car but in trunk c enough space for a load compartment of 286 liters, which can go up to 950 liters by folding down the second row of seats according to a 60:40 pattern. The step is a little pronounced, but more than normal in this segment.

You can choose between a 8 or 9 “display diagonally, not particularly attractive in terms of graphics. Not the most modern on the market but it performs well the main mirroring functions of the phone, thanks to Apple CarPlay And Android Auto via cable, also having bluetooth or wi-fi module.

Unfortunately navigation not standard. In the area in front of the driver there is instead one digital instrumentation multicolored from approximately 4 “, small and intuitive, with the on-board computer and others less to interact with. An analog dashboard develops around it, with the indicator of hybrid mechanics and speed. Not even a convenience is missing head-up displayto never take your eyes off the road.

great for the city especially because of its full-hybrid mechanics. It never hurts to remember, a full hybrid system consists of a main petrol engine, coupled to one or more low-power electric motors, which are powered by a small lithium-ion battery. Thus, the car can run on both petrol and electric for short distances, reducing emissions and consumption.

Thus organized the mechanics of the Mazda 2 Hybrid, with an engine 1.5 3 cylinder Atkinson cyclecombined with a CVT automatic transmission continuously variable equipped with a planetary gear, and of course, we find a synchronous electric motor with permanent magnets from 59 kW. The two units thus develop a system power from 116 PS (85 kW) and 120 Nm of couple. This allows you to snap on 0-100 km / h in about 9.7 secondsfor a maximum speed of 175 km / h.

In town. Thus, the driving seat, the hybrid mechanics, the presence of an automatic gearbox and its lightness make it perfect for the city. It only weighs 1.190 kg and indeed snaps easily at traffic lights and very handy when changing direction. The absence of a clutch makes life in traffic easier for us and the power of the electric is the key to always being reactive. Frequent braking then allows us to recharge the battery, so as to always have enough energy to deactivate the heat engine and proceed with zero emissions. Speaking of consumption, we managed to keep averages of about 3.2 liters / 100 km, therefore about 31km per liter(with gentle foot and careful guidance).

In the suburban areaMoving in an extra-urban context, the Mazda 2 Hybrid does not enter into crisis, on the contrary, remaining below 90/100 km / h by managing the gas pedal properly, it is also possible to sail for a few km with zero emissions. The acoustic comfort and suspensions great, perhaps among the best in this segment, digesting any pothole or vibration of the road surface well. Since there are less frequent braking and requiring more thrust from the thermal engine, consumption rises slightly to 4.7l / 100 km, therefore 21km per liter. In the case of mountainous areas, we recommend using the mode “B”or “Brake”, where the heat engine is used to mechanically brake the car when going downhill, so as not to overload the brakes (in “B” the regenerative braking does not increase).

On the highwayThe small Mazda2 Hybrid only enters into crisis in motorway contexts, where the almost total absence of slowdowns forces us to always use the internal combustion engine. Traveling in this way above 120 km / h, the classic “scooterone” noise of the continuously variable gearbox will penetrate the passenger compartment and consumption will rise significantly, thus reaching about 6.5 itri / 100 km, therefore around 15.5 km per liter.

The new Mazda2 Hybrid is one of the most complete supermini cars from a technological point of view for safety. With the Safety Sense package, a system of second level assisted driving, with adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane keeping system, reading of road signs, emergency braking and blind spot monitoring. The cruise control is sweet in the restarts and the sensors are precise in reading the lane, almost a pleasure to make trips with the help of these systems.

TECHNIQUE

• ENGINE: Euro 6d, 1.5 petrol, 3 cylinders
• POWER: 92CV
• TORQUE: 120 Nm
• ELECTRIC MOTOR: 59 kW (80CV)
• TOTAL: 85 kW (116 hp) and 120 Nm
• Front-wheel drive
• GEARBOX: automatic CVT
• SUSPENSION: MacPherson, torsion beam

DIMENSIONS

• LENGTH: 3,940 mm
• WIDTH: 1,745 mm
• HEIGHT: 1,470 mm
• PITCH: 256 mm
• LUGGAGE: 286 liters
• RIMS: 15 or 16 inches
• WEIGHT: 1,160 Kg (in running order)
• BATTERY: 0,8kWh (178 V), weight 12 kg

PERFORMANCE

• MAXIMUM SPEED: 175 km / h
• ACCELERATION 0-100 Km / h: 9.7 seconds
• CONSUMPTION: 3.8 l / 100 km (combined WLTP)
• CO2 EMISSIONS: 87 grams per km (combined WLTP)

PRICE: from 21.150 euros;

The Mazda 2 Hybrid range starts from a base of 21,150 euros for setting up Mashed potatowith 15 wheels, it then rises to 23,200 euros for the version Agilewith automatic climate control, 8 display and DAB radio with 8 speakers, ending with our version Selectfrom 26,750 euros which adds 16 alloy wheels, interior in fabric and synthetic leather, full-LED headlights and keyless access with digital key.

Having recently been renovated the state eco-incentivesyou can get a discount of up to 4,150 euros combined with Mazda eco-bonuses, in case of scrapping a used vehicle of less than 5 euros, thus bringing the price to 17,000 euros.