Autozam AZ-1
| Autozam AZ-1 (PG6SA) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
| Also called | Suzuki Cara (PG6SS), Mazda AZ-550 |
| Production | AZ-1: October 1992–1995 4,392 Cara: 1993–1995 531 |
| Designer |
Tatsumi Fukunaga (Suzuki RS/3) Toshiko Hirai (Design leader) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports kei car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Transverse mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | FRP body on Steel chassis |
| Doors | Gullwing doors |
| Related | Mazda Carol |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 657 cc F6A I3, DOHC 12v turbo |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,235 mm (88.0 in) |
| Length | 3,295 mm (129.7 in) |
| Width | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Height | 1,150 mm (45.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 720 kg (1,587 lb) |
The Autozam AZ-1, known as the framecode PG6SA, is a mid-engined sports kei car, designed and manufactured by Suzuki but sold by Mazda under its Autozam brand. It was produced from October 1992 to 1994, and was perhaps most noted for its gullwing doors. Power came from the same Suzuki-sourced 657 cc turbocharged engine used by the Mazda Carol that produced 64 PS (47 kW) at 6500 rpm and 85 N·m (63 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm. Suzuki produced its own badge engineered version named the Suzuki Cara (PG6SS). The car is also popular as a grey import in some markets, and has been converted to left-hand drive for the Canadian and other left hand drive markets.
The proposal for the AZ-1 goes as far back as 1985 when Suzuki created the Suzuki RS/1 as a midship sports car project for volume production. Suzuki went as far to design the car for the Tokyo Motor Show more than just a design exercise, they designed the car to be functional with a front/rear weight distribution of 45:55. powered by a 1.3 liter G13A engine from the Cultus.
This was followed up by the Tatsumi Fukunaga designed RS/3, unveiled for the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show, retaining many of its design features of the predecessor but many of its design features were worked on to meet Japanese safety regulations as well as being a practical sports car. Unfortunately, the project was abandoned in favor of the roadster project they had been working on, named later as the Cappuccino.
Mazda's design team, led by Toshiko Hirai, who was also responsible for the MX-5, took over the design project, despite having a limited budget and capacity.
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