| Mazda Carol Autozam Carol | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda (1962–1970) Suzuki (1989–present) |
| Production | 1962–1970 1989–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Kei car |
| Body style | 2/4-doorsedan (1962–1970) 3-doorhatchback (1989–1998) 5-door hatchback (1998–present) |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1962–1970) Front-engine, front-wheel-drive orfour-wheel-drive (1989–present) |
TheMazda Carol is akei car manufactured byMazda from 1962 until 1970. The Carol name was revived again with Mazda's 1989 re-entry into the kei car class with theAutozam brand. Since 1989, the Carol has been arebadged model manufactured bySuzuki for Mazda, based on the JapaneseSuzuki Alto. The first two generations of the modern era Carols received unique bodywork, but since late 1998 the nameplate has been strictly a badging exercise.
| First generation (KPDA) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mazda P360 |
| Production | February 1962–August 1970 |
| Assembly | Japan:Hiroshima (Hiroshima Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2/4-doorsedan |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | Mazda R360 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 358 ccDAOHVI4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,930 mm (76.0 in)[1] |
| Length | 2,990 mm (117.7 in)[1] |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51.0 in)[1] |
| Height | 1,320 mm (52.0 in)[1] |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mazda Chantez |
TheMazda R360 was complemented by the more grown-up 2-door sedanMazda P360 Carol in February 1962, the company's first 4-passenger car, and complemented the three-wheeledMazda Mazdago.[2] 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.[3] It used theDA, a 18 PS (13 kW), rear-mountedwater-cooled 358 cc4-cylinderOHV engine. This is one of thesmallest four-cylinder automobile engines in history, onlyHonda's 356 ccDOHC alloy inline-four unit (used in theT360 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 bytorsion bars,[4] 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.[5] A better equipped DeLuxe version was added in May 1962, along with a changed angle of the rear window to help it stay clean.[2] In September 1963, shortly after a reshaped combustion head and upgrade to 20 PS (15 kW), a four-door version appeared.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8] Mazda did not offer a Kei class passenger car for two years, until the 1972 introduction of theChantez.
| Mazda Carol 600 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mazda P600 |
| Production | November 1962–1964 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 586 ccRAOHVI4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,930 mm (76.0 in)[9] |
| Length | 3,200 mm (126.0 in)[9] |
| Width | 1,325 mm (52.2 in)[9] |
| Height | 1,340 mm (52.8 in)[9] |
| Curb weight | 585 kg (1,289.7 lb)[9] |
TheCarol 600 appeared in the fall of 1962 with a larger 586 ccRAOHV engine and longer at 3,200 mm. The extra length was due to more prominent bumpers, passenger space was as restricted as in the 360. Weight ranged from 560 to 585 kg (1,235 to 1,290 lb). It was also available as a four-door sedan, ahead of the lesser Carol 360. The car was called the "600" or "P600" in export markets. At home, there was a Standard two-door, and DeLuxe two- or four-door versions. Production ended in November 1964, after the introduction of the more spaciousMazda Familia 800 sedan version. Around 8,800 Carol 600s were built.[7]
| Second generation (AA5XA/AA6XA) | |
|---|---|
 Facelift model (1990-1994) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | October 1989–1994 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-doorhatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 580–630 kg (1,279–1,389 lb) |
With the revival of the Kei class in the late eighties, Mazda revived the Carol name in October 1989 for theAutozam Carol. The recently introduced Autozam was to be Mazda's youthful brand and was used on Mazda's kei cars for some time. The Carol was produced for Mazda bySuzuki, and while it used theSuzuki Alto's platform and mechanicals, its interior and boldly curved exterior were largely unique.[10] Its round headlights and cute appearance were very much a product of its time and followed upon the heels of similar designs such as Nissan'sBe-1 andPao. It was either front (AA5PA) or all-wheel drive (AA5RA) and itsSOHC 547 cc 3-cylinderSuzuki F5B engine produced 40 PS (29 kW) at 7,500 rpm. The Carol had a 2,335 mm (92 in) wheelbase for a total length of 3,190 mm (126 in) and was 1,295 mm (51 in) wide. Brakes were discs up front and drums in rear.[11]
Equipment levels weree,f (also 4WD), and the topg version. The g featured a Canvas Top. Four-wheel drives received a five-speed gearbox, while the front-wheel drive versions received a four- or five-speed manual or a three-speed auto. 550 cc Carols are rare, as production ended after only four months. NewKei car regulations for 1990 allowed manufacturers a bigger engine and an extra 10 cm of body length, and Mazda quickly brought out an updated Carol.
New regulations brought about the replacement of the 1989 Carol within 4 months, as the larger AA6 Carol was presented in February 1990. The new car was 6 cm longer and used a larger 657 ccSuzuki F6A engine with 52 PS (38 kW). The car is easy to tell from its predecessor by its clear headlight covers. In 1991, Mazda offered a 61 PS (45 kW)turbocharged engine, and the car was further lengthened to 329 cm in 1992.
| Third generation (AC6) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1995–1998 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
_rear.JPG)
_front.JPG)
An updated Autozam Carol came out in October 1995 as a 1996 model. Again, it was front or all-wheel drive and still sharing its platform with theSuzuki Alto. This generation also received model-specific bodywork, and was also only available as a three-door hatchback with a vestigial notchback design. A turbocharged SOHC version was available, although it was marketed without any sporting pretensions and did not even have a rev counter. Mazda also developed two retro-styled versions as a wave of such models flooded the Kei car market at the time; these were called the Carol Custom and the Carol Classic.
During 1998, the model's name was changed to "Mazda Carol" as theAutozam badge was being discontinued.
| Fourth generation (HB12/22/23) | |
|---|---|
_front.JPG) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1998–2003 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Mazda AZ-Offroad Mazda AZ-Wagon Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
An entirely new Carol appeared in October 1998 as a 1999 model, this time with the Mazda brand name. Unlike previous Carols, this model was similar to theSuzuki Alto. This Carol was available with either front or all-wheel drive and used the old 657 ccF6A engine or a new 658 ccDOHC unit. It was closely related to theAZ-Offroad andAZ-Wagon introduced at the same time.
_rear.JPG)
The Carol was updated with a new look in December 2000, featuring Mazda's new five-point grille design. Safety and emissions were also improved, thanks to new variants of the K-series family of engines with availablevariable valve timing. The earlier F6A was no longer available.
| Fifth generation (HB24) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2004–2009 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Nissan Pino Suzuki Alto |
_rear.jpg)
As Suzuki released a replacement for theSuzuki Alto, the rebadged Mazda Carol was also replaced.
| Sixth generation (HB25/35) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2009–2014 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 ccK6AI3[12] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in)[12] |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in)[12] |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in)[12] |
| Height | 1,535 mm (60.4 in)[12] |
| Curb weight | 740 kg (1,631.4 lb)[12] |
Mazda has launched a new Carol in December 2009,[13] which was first revealed at the2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The Carol has been updated alongside its brother, theSuzuki Alto. Like the Alto, the Carol is available with AWD and CVT.
| Seventh generation (HB36) | |
|---|---|
_front.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2014–2021 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 ccR06AI3VVT |
_rear.jpg)
As Suzuki released a replacement for theSuzuki Alto, the rebadged Mazda Carol was also replaced.
| Eighth generation (HB97) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2021–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Suzuki Alto |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 657 ccR06DI3 (MHEV) 658 ccR06A I3VVT |
.jpg)
The eighth-generation Carol is based on the ninth-generation Alto.[14]
