60 Days Later: HKS Catback On Mazda 2 1.3

To have a catback fitted on a hatchback these days feels like using wired earphones with a Sony handphone. Old school for sure, but for me it brings thrills - not only from a nostalgia POV but also the simple, pure joy of hearing speed.

I’ve always wanted to feel how a sub 4-second EV generates speed. Will I like it? I’ll certainly be taken aback by the shock factor, but will these feelings last? I could still remember the whiplash from a force-fed 5.5-litre CLS 63 almost more than a decade ago. That was already terrifying for me, and to know that SUVs today can achieve that so easily is something I’ve yet to comprehend.

Anyway I digress - this topic will touch on the increased sensations after installing the HKS catback on my Mazda2. No regrets so far. On a cold start, there’s 30 seconds of drone before revs dip. It’s quite loud, especially when I'm reversed to the front wall of my townhome - my dining chair’s just three metres away for context.

Softer drones continue the moment I set off, from 10 to 20km/h, in the first three gears. Once the engine warms up, after five minutes, I can start to stretch its lungs, and that’s where the fun starts. Winding down the window helps a lot, but for now it’s only relegated to slow speed carpark climbs due to the crazy heat.

Then there are the downshifts, most apparent from 3rd to 2nd gear, from 50km/h. Wow those are the types of sounds I’d hope for - rich baritone, not too loud, not intense enough to trigger my dog.

I’m not sure if the polished bits will hold up - it looks great from far and noticeably larger than the stock tin. To be fair, the OEM setup sounds decent, considering it’s an economical family-spec compact. This HKS upgrade makes me want to drive the Mazda more. I guess that’s the most important bit!