Mean and clean

THE NEW MAZDA2 IS FASTER AND MORE FRUGAL THANKS TO A HYBRID ENGINE, WRITES EDWARD STEPHENS

MAZDA’S popular supermini range has just become larger with the reintroduction of a new, more powerful flagship model.

And it’s guaranteed to appeal to drivers who want all the bells and whistles of a premium model car in a small package.

The newcomer is the Mazda2 GT

Sport Tech which has been boosted to 115bhp and now comes as a mild hybrid so CO2 emissions have dropped, improving tax benefits.

And while you couldn’t really call it a hot hatch that extra power means a nice, smooth responsive engine which is never lacking in pace.

If you really want to liven things up dramatically you have to wind up the revs but on this car that never really seems fitting.

And while all Mazda2 models have always been good when it comes to miles per gallon the addition of mild hybrid technology - it’s self charging so no worries about range anxiety – means this Mazda2 is particularly frugal.

Officially averaging more than 56 miles per gallon – over a week’s motoring I managed to easily achieve more than 53 mpg – and with a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 9.1 seconds it’s a nice all round package.

And when it comes to creature comforts it’s up there with the mega expensive luxury saloons.

With two-tone leather upholstery the cabin has a real upmarket feel to it and keyless entry and keyless start means no messing about looking for the keys in your pocket.

And with the winter now casting its shadow over driving it’s a real treat to have a car which not only has heated seats – with three different settings – but a heated steering wheel too.

Add to that a colour head-up display projecting your speed and navigation directions into the windscreen a reversing camera giving both a bird’s eye view of the car and a view of what’s behind you and you really feel cosseted by this little Mazda. There’s even a front facing camera to ensure you can park perfectly between any set of parking bay lines.

Unlike the majority of cars, which have dashboard-mounted touchscreens, the monitor on the Mazda2 is controlled by a rotary knob near the gearshift and is all the better for it.

It’s easier to activate any onboard features and – unlike with touch

And when it comes to creature comforts it’s up there with the mega expensive luxury saloons.

screens – there is less tendency to take your eyes off the road ahead.

There’s an impressive range of safety features too, including blind spot monitoring, cross city alert and rear smart city braking.

And while there is a lane departure warning system it’s sensibly purely audible and – unlike on many cars – does not alarm you by trying to physically return you to between the white lines.

The ride quality on this supermini is top notch, as is the handling at speed. And like all Mazdas I have ever driven the six-speed manual gearbox is spot on.

There is some element of road noise at times on the car but it’s not too obtrusive and in the main the Mazda2 is a refined little mover which really grows on you.