Road TestCar reviews - Mazda - 121 - Metro 5-dr hatchMazda modelsThe Car23 Feb 2001 By TERRY MARTIN Mazda has given its Metro a new, corporate look with a new front end bearing the latest Mazda symbol The instrument panel has also been updated to give a classier look Front and rear bumper profiles are also new The 121 Metro is available with a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine The 1.5-litre, 16-valve, single camshaft engine develops 64kW at 5500rpm and 128Nm of torque at 3500rpm Metro is available with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission Entry level versions of the car get a 1.3-litre engine that develops 53kW and 107Nm of torque Both the 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines have been improved to boost torque at low to middle speeds The MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion bar rear suspension have been carried over from the previous car The suspension has been revised to improve handling and stability Power-assisted rack and pinion steering is standard on both Metros Ventilated disc brakes are used at the front, drums at the rear The 1.5-litre Metro comes with 14-inch wheels and full wheel covers The Metro's unusual "mini people" shape allows four adults to be seated in comfort All seats can slide back and forth The rear seat is split and can be folded forward to maximise load space The car's large doors and high seating position make it easier to get in and out A driver's side airbag is standard Three cupholders are built into the centre console Mazda claims the spacious cabin allows full-size, large-car seats to be used in the front The Metro shares its chassis with the "bubble" 121. It rides on the same wheelbase and is the same length as the older model Did you know?The 121 Metro's co-efficient of drag is 0.36CdAll car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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