Mazda turns on the magic with latest supermini

There is no doubting that Mazda produce some of the best looking cars and from a technological point of view the Japanese company is doing things which are frightening the bejaysus out of its’ mainstream competitors.

And yet sadly, Mazda products appear to fall beneath the radar of so many motorists for whom the brand is simply non-existent on the presumption it does not have the right sort of engine/chassis mix that people here demand. As we all know though, presumptions can be dangerous.

When people look at engines such as the 1.5 litre petrol unit fitted to the Mazda2 we test here, they immediately think it is too big for a supermini contender and that its’ size will make it extremely tax inefficient and a gas-guzzler as well. Neither conclusion is anywhere near the truth of the matter.