Autozam Carol
| Mazda Carol | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Production | 1962–1970 1989–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Kei car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Mazda Carol (KPDA) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mazda P360 |
| Production | February 1962–August 1970 |
| Assembly | Hiroshima Assembly, Hiroshima, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 358 cc DA OHV I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,930 mm (76.0 in) |
| Length | 2,990 mm (117.7 in) |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51.0 in) |
| Height | 1,320 mm (52.0 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mazda Chantez |
| Mazda Carol 600 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mazda P600 |
| Production | November 1962–1964 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 586 cc RA OHV I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,930 mm (76.0 in) |
| Length | 3,200 mm (126.0 in) |
| Width | 1,325 mm (52.2 in) |
| Height | 1,340 mm (52.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 585 kg (1,289.7 lb) |
| Autozam Carol AA5XA | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | October 1989–February 1990 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Layout |
Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 547 cc F5B I3 |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 580–630 kg (1,279–1,389 lb) |
| Autozam Carol AA6XA | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1990–1994 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 657 cc F6A I3 |
| Autozam Carol Mk III | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1995–1998 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 657 cc F6A I3 |
| Mazda Carol Mk III | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1999–2000 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related |
Mazda AZ-Offroad Mazda AZ-Wagon Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 cc I3 |
| Mazda Carol Mk IV | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2001–2003 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 cc I3 |
| Mazda Carol Mk V | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2004–2009 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related |
Nissan Pino Suzuki Alto |
| Mazda Carol Mk VI | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2010–2014 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 cc K6A I3 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in) |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Height | 1,535 mm (60.4 in) |
| Curb weight | 740 kg (1,631.4 lb) |
The Mazda Carol is a name that was used by Mazda for its kei cars from 1962 until 1970. It was revived again with Mazda's 1989 re-entry into the kei car class with the Autozam brand. Since then, it has been related to the Japanese Suzuki Alto.
The Mazda R360 was complemented by the more grown-up 2-door sedan Mazda P360 Carol in February 1962, the company's first 4-passenger car, and complemented the three-wheeled Mazda Mazdago. It was more substantial than the R360: although its total length of 2,980 mm (117.3 in) was the same, its 1,930 mm (76.0 in) wheelbase was considerably longer. The Carol weighed in at 525 kg (1,157 lb), versus 380 kg (838 lb) for the diminutive R360. It used the DA, a 18 PS (13 kW), rear-mounted water-cooled 358 cc 4-cylinder OHV engine. This is one of the smallest four-cylinder automobile engines in history, only Honda's 356 cc DOHC alloy inline-four unit (used in the T360 truck) was smaller. The four-speed gearbox was synchronized only on the top three gears.
The Carol was perhaps overengineered: it had a very strong monocoque body, a four-cylinder four-stroke engine with a five-bearing crankshaft and four-wheel independent suspension by torsion bars, but this led to high production costs, comparably high weight, and its very comfortable ride was offset by cramped accommodation. Nonetheless, the Carol was an incredible success in the marketplace, capturing 67% of the Kei market in its first year. A better equipped DeLuxe version was added in May 1962, along with a changed angle of the rear window to help it stay clean. In September 1963, shortly after a reshaped combustion head and upgrade to 20 PS (15 kW), a four-door version appeared.
In October 1966 a minor facelift took place. The car was lightened somewhat, new bumpers were mounted, and the spare tire was moved from the front to the engine room, freeing up scarce luggage space. Also, the gearbox was now fully synchronized. The last modification took place in 1969, when in response to stricter safety standards a driver's side headrest and provisions for seatbelts were fitted. Production continued until August 1970, by which time 265,226 Carol 360s had been built. Mazda did not offer a Kei class passenger car for two years, until the 1972 introduction of the Chantez.
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