The History Of Mazda Carol

The Carol is a name used by Mazda for its kei cars since 1961.

The R360 was replaced in 1961 with the Mazda P360 Carol, the company's first 4-passenger car. It was larger than the Mazda R360 it replaced, running on a 193cm wheelbase for a total length of 298cm. It used a rear-mounted water-cooled 358cc 4-cylinder OHV engine, which is one of the smallest 4-cylinder automobile engines in history (only Honda's 356cc DOHC alloy 4-cylinder unit, used in the T360 truck, was smaller).

The Carol 600 appeared in the fall of 1962 with a larger 586 cc OHV engine and a longer 320 cm length. It was available as a 4-door sedan in late 1963. The car was called the 'Carol' in Japan, and the '600', 'P600', and 'N600' in other markets.

The Chantez (or Chante) had a longer wheelbase at 220 cm than most of its competitors and boasted the powerful 2-stroke engine from the Porter. Sales halted in 1977, and Mazda did not produce another kei car until 1989.

The Carol name appeared again in 1989 on the Autozam Carol. The Carol was produced for Mazda by Suzuki, and while it used the Suzuki Alto's platform, its interior and exterior were completely unique to Mazda. It was a front or all-wheel drive kei car with a SOHC 547 cc 3-cylinder F5B engine and a 233 cm wheelbase.

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 F6A engine. In 1991, Mazda offered a turbocharged engine, and the car was lengthened to 329 cm in 1992.

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.

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 a straight rebadged 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.

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

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