Performance Review: Mazda 2 1.5 Sport - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda 2 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda 2 1.5 Sport is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular Mazda 2 has a 1498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 2 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 2's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 960 kgs (2116 lbs) this makes the Mazda 2 1.5 Sport in the same weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda 2 shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1498cc 16V St4 engine produces 102 bhp (76 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 101 lb-ft (136.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mazda 2 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v (131.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda 2.

The Mazda 2 has a Power to weight ratio of 106.2 bhp per ton and 105.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 2 competing with the 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v (131.2 bhp per ton) or the 1998 BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 (131.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mazda 2 generating around 105.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1989 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 (130.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1970 Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 (130.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.7 secs, this made the Mazda 2 1.5 Sport as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (10.40 secs) the 1977 Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 (10.40 secs) the 1965 BMW 2000 CS (10.40 secs) the or the 1964 Jaguar Mark X 4.2L Overdrive (10.40 secs). This Mazda 2 1.5 Sport is also faster than the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam (10.50 secs) the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed (10.50 secs) the and the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 (10.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 2 and the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD

When talking about the performance of the Mazda 2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.08 secs @ 80.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD (17.03 secs), the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Supercharged (17.04 secs), and the 1978 Maserati Merak SS 3.0 V6 (17.04 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Mazda 2 1.5 Sport has a maximum speed of 117mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 2 equals the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (128 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport then how about the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (128 mph), the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (128 mph), or the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (128 mph).

Related Links:

2007 2 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison