Mazda demonstrates that small lightweight cars be safe too

The doors stay intact and functional

When Mazda introduced their new B-class car, the Mazda2, earlier this year one of the most interesting technical aspects of the car was that the company bucked the seemingly irreversible trend of making new models bigger and heavier. The new car is more than 200 lbs lighter than its predecessor. While many people (particularly SUV owners) seem to think that lighter cars are inherently less safe this doesn't necessarily have to be the case. The new Mazda2 has just completed its EuoNCAP crash testing and received the maximum five stars for adult crash protection and four stars for child protection. It's not clear why smaller children would fair worse than adults but the ratings are still very good such a small car.

[Source: Mazda]


New Mazda2 earns 5-Star Ranking
from Euro NCAP

Leverkusen, 19th December 2007. The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has awarded the all-new Mazda2 five stars for adult occupant protection.

Thanks to a lightweight, but strong body using high and ultra high tensile steels, the new Mazda2 proved itself amongst the bests in the segment on Euro NCAP crash tests. It scored an impressive total of 34 points for adult protection and the highest possible ranking of five stars.

Not only are adults given optimal protection in the new Mazda2, children are as well. With a four-star ranking for child occupant protection with 37 points, Mazda's new sub-compact becomes one of the few cars in its segment to achieve this level of child protection. And for pedestrian safety, Mazda2 achieved an admirable 18 points and two-star ranking.

The new Mazda2 is not only one of the lightest, most fuel-efficient, best-looking, and fun to drive sub-compacts in Europe – it is also officially one of the safest.