Mazda to cut 220 pounds off vehicles starting 2011
Over the years, Mazda’s vehicles have put on some weight. Well, the Japanese automaker is now setting a target to reduce its vehicle weights by at least 220 pounds starting 2011. Mazda will use a combination of lighter materials, smaller vehicle footprints and a better engineering process.
According to Robert Davis, Mazda North America’s senior vice president of product development and quality, the typical Mazda has put on at least 80 pounds with each successive redesign. For example, the 2003 Protege weighed in at 2,634 pounds; its successor, the 2010 Mazda, weighs in at 2,868 pounds.
Davis said that cutting weight by 220 pounds will improve fuel-economy by 3 to 5 percent. However, there are obstacles that must be faced including maintaining safety regulations while keeping Mazda’s zoom-zoom feel along with the cost of engineering involved in cutting excess weight.
Check out our review of the 2010 Mazda3.
Review: 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring:
– By: Kap Shah
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Source: AutoWeek
