Comparison Test:2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2011 Mazda2

Consider the 2011 Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 as fraternal twins. While they share a platform and were conceived on the same drawing board in 2007, something happened on the way to the showroom.

Basically, their parents split up. Apparently Mr. Ford came home late one night with 10W40 on his collar and Ms. Mazda went at him with a tire iron. Or something like that.

Nonetheless, as the corporate winds blew Ford and Mazda apart, their B-sector front-drive offspring took divergent gestational paths.
This was illustrated to great effect while having both a Fiesta and Mazda2 in my driveway for a week.

Initially I was hoping to get similarly equipped cars – at least ones with the same type of transmission – but as it turned out the Mazda2, which is the lighter and sportier of the two, came in its most athletic guise as the limited Yozora Edition with a five-speed manual transmission. The more comfort oriented Fiesta SE hatchback bore its trick six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission (PowerShift in Ford lingo), a first for this segment.

2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2011 Mazda2. Click image to enlarge

These cars represented the two extremes of this platform, but price-wise they were very close: the Mazda2 at $19,280 and the Ford Fiesta at $19,529. (For an in-depth analysis of Fiesta/Mazda2 pricing, click here).

The Yozora Edition (Yozora is Japanese for “night sky”) starts as the entry-level Mazda2 GX trim with either 5-speed manual ($13,995) or 4-speed auto ($15,095). Added to this is air conditioning ($1,195), Convenience Package ($895; heated door mirrors, 4-speaker audio, remote keyless entry, steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls, exterior temp gauge, some interior brightwork, body coloured door mirrors and handles) and the $3,195 Yozora Edition Package which includes 16-inch alloys shod with 195/45R16 Toyo Proxes T1R performance tires (you also get a set of 15-inch steel rims with winter rubber), boy-racer rear spoiler, Yozora floor mats, chrome exhaust tip, stubby antenna, and a 2+2 decal package that from a distance makes the car look like you’ve grazed a concrete wall.

You can get the Yozora in any colour you like as long as it’s black. (That’s a Ford line, isn’t it?)

My Fiesta was the $16,799 SE model riding on 185/60R15 all-season tires. Optional equipment included the PowerShift tranny ($1,250), SYNC voice-activated infotainment with 6-speaker audio ($650), Sport Appearance Package ($450; cruise control, 15-inch aluminum wheels, front LED marker lamp), and Winter Package ($350; heated front seats and mirrors).

2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2011 Mazda2. Click image to enlarge

The obvious difference in these subcompacts lies underhood. The Ford is motivated by a 1.6-litre Ti-VCT Duratec four-cylinder making 120 hp at 6,350 rpm and 112 lb.-ft. at 5,000 rpm. The Mazda’s engine is a 1.5-litre four putting out 100 hp at 6000 rpm and 98 lb.-ft. at 4000 rpm.

It’s here you might cry “No contest!”

Not so, at least as these two were equipped. Working in the Mazda’s favour is less weight – around 93 kg (216 lb) in this case (1,075 kg vs 1,168 kg). Not an inconsiderable sum in a car of this size and power output. Additionally, the Ford’s engine is a coarser unit. The Mazda four seems smoother and more eager to rev.

The six-speed twin-clutch auto in the Ford is tuned for maximum fuel economy. Under normal operation, it short shifts at low rpm and is reluctant to kick down. It has no manual override. The Fiesta can be frustratingly lethargic if you’re looking for right-now acceleration when on the move, but with tall gearing it’s a relaxed tourer, showing only 2,300 rpm at 100 km/h.

Conversely, the Mazda’s five-speed box is a hoot to operate. The stubby shifter sprouting from the centre console offers short, snickety shifts that speak of Miata/MX-5 DNA. The clutch has a quick and satisfying take up. All controls come together in a playful mechanical harmony. With shorter gearing, the Mazda2 is busier on the highway showing 2,800 rpm at 100 km/h.

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2013 Mazda MX-5

With a history that began in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 is one of the best sold convertibles on the market. In its 21 years of history, the MX-5 saw three different generations, numerous design updates, and even more engine changes. However, the most impressive update has been announced for the fourth generation that is set to be launched in 2012.

The Mazda MX-5 will remain a rear-wheel drive compact sports coupe with exterior design inspired by the Shinari Concept unveiled earlier this year. With the new generation, Mazda will focus on reducing the total weight to less than 1,000 kilos.

At the launch of the Shinari concept, Ikuo Maeda, general manager of Mazda Motor Corp.’s design division said: "this design will lead to the next generation of Mazda design and will lead to other elements." Guess the MX-5 will be among the first to adopt Mazda’s new "Kodo - Soul of Motion" design language.

Updated 06/09/2011: Inside Line has released today new details on the next generation Mazda MX-5 roadster. It seems that one of their insiders confirmed them the next model will loose no less than 720 pounds from the 2,480-pound curb weight of today’s Miata. In order to obtain this impressive weight reduction the company will use high-strength steels for the body, a smaller, lighter engine and a more minimalist specification. The model will be offered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine equipped with direct injection and variable cam phasing as part of Mazda’s SkyActiv engineering efficiency program.

Updated 07/04/2011: The British company Autocar has revealed new details about the next generation MX-5’s turbocharged four cylinder engine. According to the magazine the new engine, a 1.5 liter one, and not 1.4, will feature variable cam phasing, lighter, low-friction reciprocating parts, and possibly a new exhaust manifold design, all of them as part of Mazda’s SkyActiv engineering campaign. The body will be made in steel, but it will feature high-strength panels, and some ingenious structural solutions, such as a twin-backbone frame, to solve the problem of open-top rigidity.

Hit the jump to read more about the fourth generation Mazda MX-5.

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Is Mazda Planning On A Revolutionary New Engine System?

40 years after Mazda first introduced its then innovative new rotary engine power source, the Japanese automaker is looking into breaking new ground with their latest powertrain system.

According to Autocar, the next-generation engine, codenamed the ‘16X Renesis’, has been in development since 2007, but it was only recently that a new wrinkle was divulged about this new powertrain. Instead of the long-held practice of using traditional spark plugs to ignite the engine, Mazda is looking into using laser beams to serve the purpose of igniting the fuel and air mixture inside the engine.

With the increasing advancements being made in the country on the controlled use of high-powered lasers, Mazda is looking into tapping into this new breakthrough by using these ceramic-made lasers. These lasers measure only 9 mm in diameter and 11 mm in length, measurements that can easily fit into a car engine and take up less space than the space-mongering spark plug.

While full-scale testing on this new system is still far from finished, the belief is that by using lasers instead of spark plugs, the engine would be able to run leaner and control the timing of the engine’s ignition. This, in turn, could dramatically cut down on emissions and, thus, improve the car’s fuel economy.

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MAZDA 3 2012

                      

Mazda’s little compact car showed up to the 2011 New York Auto Show with a midcycle refresh that not only provides a refined exterior and interior, but also dishes out a new engine that utilizes Mazda’s innovative SKYACTIV fuel-saving and performance-oriented technologies.

The new engine is the first application in North America of the SKYACTIV technology and improves the Mazda3’s fuel economy by 17%, allowing it to go up to an impressive 40 mpg on the highway.

"SKYACTIV is not just an engine; it is the next generation of advanced vehicle performance and efficiency," said Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "SKYACTIV embodies Mazda’s philosophy of engineering only vehicles that are fun to drive, satisfying to own and environmentally responsible; and there is no better vehicle to start with than the Mazda3, one of the most exciting sport compact cars on the road."

The 2012 Mazda3 also features improved sporty driving dynamics, responsive handling, and comfortable cabin space.

UPDATE 04/27/2011: Mazda has revealed four videos of the new 2012 Mazda3 - both sedan and hatchback - that shares details of the car’s design elements and shows them off in action! Check it out by clicking on the image above and remember to hit the arrow to see the rest!

Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Mazda3.

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