Mazda Carol

Mazda Carol
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	1962–1970 1989–present
Body and chassis
Class	Kei car
Body style	2-door coupé

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.

First generation (1962–1970)

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)[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

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.^[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 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.

Rear view of a two-door Carol 360

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,^[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 the Chantez.

Carol 600 (1962–1964)

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)[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]

The Carol 600 appeared in the fall of 1962 with a larger 586 cc RA OHV 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 spacious Mazda Familia 800 sedan version. Around 8,800 Carol 600s were built.^[7]

Second generation (1989–1994)

With the revival of the Kei class in the late eighties, Mazda revived the Carol name for its 1989 Autozam 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 by Suzuki, and while it used the Suzuki 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's Be-1 and Pao. It was either front (AA5PA) or all-wheel drive (AA5RA) and its SOHC 547 cc 3-cylinder Suzuki 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 were e, f (also 4WD), and the top g 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 five months. New Kei 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.

Facelift (1990–1994)

Autozam Carol AA6XA
Overview
Production	1990–1994
Powertrain
Engine	657 cc F6A I3

New regulations brought about the replacement of the 1989 Carol within 4 months. The new car was 6 cm longer and used a larger 657 cc Suzuki 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 lengthened to 329 cm in 1992.

Mazda Carol "Me Lady" special edition (AA6PA)

Third generation (1995–1998)

Autozam Carol Mk III
Overview
Production	1995–1998
Body and chassis
Related	Suzuki Alto
Powertrain
Engine	657 cc F6A I3

Autozam Carol rear

An updated Autozam Carol came out in October 1995 as a 1996 model. Again, it was front or all-wheel drive and still riding on the same platform.

Fourth generation (1999–2003)

Mazda Carol Mk III
Overview
Production	1999–2000
Body and chassis
Related	Mazda AZ-Offroad Mazda AZ-Wagon Suzuki Alto
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc I3

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 the Suzuki Alto. This Carol was available with either front or all-wheel drive and used the old 657 cc F6A engine or a new 658 cc DOHC unit. It was closely related to the AZ-Offroad and AZ-Wagon introduced at the same time.

Mazda Carol rear

Facelift (2001–2003)

Mazda Carol Mk IV
Overview
Production	2001–2003
Body and chassis
Related	Suzuki Alto
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc I3

The Carol was updated with a new look for 2001. Emissions (with a new VVT engine) and safety were also improved.

Fifth generation (2004–2009)

Mazda Carol Mk V
Overview
Production	2004–2009
Body and chassis
Related	Nissan Pino Suzuki Alto

As Suzuki released a replacement for the Suzuki Alto, the rebadged Mazda Carol was also replaced.

Sixth generation (2010–2014)

Mazda Carol Mk VI
Overview
Production	2010–2014
Body and chassis
Related	Suzuki Alto
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc K6A I3[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, as 2010 model,^[13] which was first revealed at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The Carol has been updated alongside its sister, the Suzuki Alto. Like the Alto, the Carol is available with AWD and CVT.

Mazda Carol rear

Seventh generation (2014–present)

Mazda Carol Mk VII
Overview
Production	2014–present
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Suzuki Alto
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc RO6A I3 VVT
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	710 kg (1,565.3 lb)[12]

As Suzuki released a replacement for the Suzuki Alto, the rebadged Mazda Carol was also replaced.

Mazda Carol rear

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mazda Carol.