#autozam

Amazing! The first kei car with gull-wing doors and a midship layout!

Intimidate everyone else!!

AUTOZAM AZ-1

Shut up and follow me!!

Following the Beat and Cappuccino, Autozam has released its 3rd light car! The AZ-1 (Autozam's top pick!) is an evolved version of the AZ-550 that appeared at the Autozam show three years ago. What's more, the AZ-1's top pick is that it's the first gull-wing light car in the history of the car. The drive system is also midship, just like the Beat, so you can expect great driving performance! This is the kind of car it is.

This is what the AZ-1 is like!!!

The AZ-1 was born from the idea of play.

It all began three years ago when Mazda's development staff created the AZ 550 (there were three types, A, B, and C), which they had been playing around with in their spare time from their regular work, and exhibited it as a concept car at a motor show.

The reactions of visitors to the motor show were surveyed. Many people said they "definitely want to buy it," "want it," and "want to drive it," so the upper echelons of the manufacturer began to think seriously about the matter. They then had automotive critics test drive the car and sought a wide range of opinions.

As a result, the "go" was given and full-scale development for commercialization began.

Naturally, the overall body length and engine displacement were also revised.

The distinctive gull-wing doors (named for the way they open, resembling the movement of a seagull's wings) are the second to be adopted by a Japanese car, following the Toyota Sera. However, this car is more authentic.

The engine is a 3-cylinder twin-cam turbo purchased from Suzuki, the same as the Cappuccino. This is the birth of a mid-ship car, following the first in the kei car series. The plastic body is bolted together, so the frame of the chassis is not visible from the outside, allowing for a large number of welds and ensuring considerable body rigidity. The body is available in two colors: red and blue.

PIC CAPTIONS

AZ-1 5MT 1,498,000 yen

◆The authentic bucket-type seat provides firm support for the driver's body.

★The small 35cm diameter handlebars are one feature that will inspire your sporty spirit.

This is what it looks like from the outside!!!

The Gullwings and Midship layout are lightweight and futuristic in shape.

Although it is basically the same as the model exhibited at the motor show, you will notice that some small changes have been made for the market. The first thing that catches your eye are the headlights. The retractable lamps have been changed to two exposed round lamps. However, they are angled to blend in as much as possible with the steeply sloping hood, and are a modified oval type.

Because of the gull-wing design, the outer door handles and door locks are positioned low, which is a bit of a concern as they get muddy easily on rainy days or after driving through muddy roads. The side air intakes behind the doors are a sign of a midship design and look cool. Air is introduced through the intake duct to cool the engine.

The single wiper type gives a sporty impression, but since it does not have any mechanism to expand the operating area like Mercedes Benz's, it may be slightly less practical than the dual wiper type.

There is also an air intake on the hood, but please be aware that this is not for the turbo intercooler. It is actually just an air intake for the interior. The door mirrors are also taken from the Carol.

The interior looks like this!!!!!!

The mysterious living space created by the gullwing!!!

The threshold is twice as high as that of the Cappuccino, so getting in and out of the car is not smooth. The threshold is higher than the seat, so it is impossible (not physically, but psychologically) for a woman wearing a skirt to get in. That being said, this is an exception to the rule for women who want to please men.

The interior has a narrow center tunnel that separates the driver and passenger, like the Cappuccino and Beat, and the driver and passenger seats are very close to each other. The inside door handles are the same as those of the Eunos Roadster.

The steering wheel is sporty with a small diameter of 35cm. The controls for the standard air conditioner are located on the center console due to space limitations, but the dial-type main switch (which also serves as the fan switch) has the numbers indicating the air volume facing downwards, making it difficult to see.

The seats are bucket type. The driver's seat slides but has no reclining (angle adjustment).

There are no adjustment mechanisms in the passenger seat.

The seats are fixed, with no room for movement. A heavy spare tire is placed behind the driver's seat to improve cornering performance. There is plenty of headroom.

The gear shift lever is less appealing than that of the Beat and Cappuccino, as it feels more tacky. Also, there are no power windows to keep the vehicle weight down.

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★The AZ-550 was released three years ago. The only changes from the AZ-1 are the retractable headlamps and aluminum.

★The AZ-1's side air intakes are proof that it is a mid-engine car.

★A gorgeous figure!

AZ-1when opened. This is the gullwing.

◆The most distinctive feature of the AZ-1 is its gull-wing doors that look as if they could pop out at any moment.

↑Seen from the front, the gull-wing doors look somewhat threatening...

→Is it just me or does it look like a goldfish? →AZ-1 seen from directly above looks like

◆The rear view has four round lamps. The engine is mounted behind the seats.

◆The short, easy-to-operate gear lever is very sporty.

◆The seats are also full-fledged bucket type, designed with sporty driving in mind.

★It is the smallest and sportiest steering wheel on a commercially available vehicle.

★This air conditioning control switch is vertical and has an unusual shape that has never been seen before.

Introducing the Autozam AZ-1, the first gull-wing light car!

Here's the mechanism of AZ-1!!

It's a sporty mechanism that goes beyond being a lightweight car.

Both the front and rear use strut suspension, and the brakes are four-wheel discs, exactly the same as the Beat. The AZ-1 is 25mm lower than the Beat, and its wheelbase is 45mm shorter, so its cornering performance has reached a considerable level.

The tires are the same size on both the front and rear, and are specially designed TOYO Trampio 155/65R13 inch. Aluminum wheels, which can reduce the weight by 2 kg per wheel, are available as custom-made equipment.

The body is a skeleton monocoque.

The structure is called a "shell," and the plastic outer panels are bolted together, which has the advantage that the welds are not visible from the outside, and the number of spot welds has been increased to increase rigidity.

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▶AZ-1's rivals

▼SUZUKI cappuccino

▲HONDA beat

If you were to compare it simply in terms of power performance, the Cappuccino would be its rival (which can't be helped, since they have the same engine), but if you were to compare it in terms of drive system, the Beat would be its rival. It is the only one that is not an open-top car compared to the other two, but it can be said to have both the acceleration of the Cappuccino and the midship of the Beat. In other words, since all three cars are different, it is difficult to compare them as equal rivals. The only choice you can make is based on these three factors - gullwing, midship, FR - and your budget.

■This is the AZ-1 chassis (framework) and suspension!!!

◆The suspension is equipped with disc brakes and strut suspension.

Kei Sports SilhouetteHistory

Silhouettes of Kei sports cars, including Suzuki Cappuccino, Honda Beat, Mazda Autozam AZ-1 and Daihatsu Copen.

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