If you think that 68hp for the Mazda 2 1.4-liter diesel isn’t enough power, here’s good news: Mazda has announced that the 2 will get the 1.6-liter 90hp diesel that you can find in the Fiesta, the European Fusion, and several PSA models. Torque on the 1.6L is rated at 205 Nm (151 lb-ft), so the little subcompact will improve its acceleration figures, which are currently a sluggish 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds. What remains at a good level is fuel consumption, rated at 4.2 l/100km (56mpg U.S.) while CO₂ emissions are kept at 112 g/km. Not bad. Prices for the revamped 2 have not yet been announced. Continued

Popularity: 1% [?]

The new Mazda2 has been a sport success for Mazda, selling almost 40,000 copies as of April since hitting the showrooms last October. A three-door version (above) was announced back in January and is now available to European customers. A 1.4 litre diesel engine is now also an option across the Mazda2 range and is cleaner and more efficient than the MZR gas engines. According to Mazda’s own numbers (read them after the break), the breakdown goes like this:

• The gas-powered MZR 1.3 gets 43.5 mpg (U.S.) while emitting 129 g/km of CO₂.
• The gas-powered MZR 1.5 gets 40 mpg (U.S.) while emitting 140 g/km of CO₂.
• The diesel-powered MZ-CD 1.4 gets 54.7 mpg (U.S.) while emitting 114 g/km of CO₂.

All of these engines are mated to a five-speed manual tranny with higher gear rations that also reduce fuel use. One thing to note: those 114 grams make the Mazda2 with the MZ-CD 1.4 the Mazda production car with the lowest CO₂ emissions ever sold in Europe. The diesel will still generate 50 kW/68 PS at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at a low 2,000 rpm for, in Mazda’s words, “lively driving fun.

Popularity: 1% [?]