Mazda2: First High-Tech Car With Brake Override And Affordable Price Tag

How about driving home a high-tech car without burning your pockets? Mazda has a plan of something affordable this year loaded with technology and innovation. The company has unveiled plans to bring its super-successful Mazda2 to the U.S. Initially launched in 2007 at Japan, Australia and Europe, Mazda2 has had an remarkable start with the critics, winning everything from the 2008 World Car of the Year and regional awards from Bulgaria to New Zealand. Sales worldwide made an overall amount of 400,000 in just three years. Now its planning to enter states to compete with the new Ford Fiesta, Toyota’s Yaris, the Chevy Aveo and similar mini-compacts.

The pricing has been already decided, for Mazda2 it will start at $13,995 for the GX and $18,195 for the top-class GS model. Both will be powered by Mazda’s MZR 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is also available as an option on the GS. It will also carry brake override systems(the first car in North America with such a feature.) The software lets the brakes override the accelerator by cutting power to the engine if the brake pedal is depressed. All new Mazda vehicles will be equipped with the system by the end of next year. The move comes after recent concerns sparked by Toyota’s 8.5 million-vehicle recall due to involuntary acceleration. Toyota has said it will include a brake override system in all vehicles by next year. Besides, air conditioning, a basic stereo with CD and MP3 player capability, remote keyless entry and a rear window wiper are other secondary attachments. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and Brake Assist, advanced dual front air bags, front seat side air bags and side air curtains, Dynamic Stability Control and a traction control system.

According to Critics, Mazda2 enters U.S. with just one basic motive, the coming hike in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that require a fleet average of 35 mpg. It probably also has to do with Mazda’s desire to be competitive in a slice of the market that is almost certain to grow in coming years as gas costs go up.

Tags: air curtains, car of the year, fuel economy, mazda vehicles, mazda2, rear window wiper, remote keyless entry, side air bags, traction control system, world car of the year