Used Mazda AZ-1 for sale

Launched in Japan in 1992, the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 (known as the framecode PG6SA), is noted for gullwing doors, is an awesome mini sports car, designed and produced by Suzuki but sold by Autozam, a sub-brand of Mazda. The competitors of the AZ-1 are Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappucino and both of them are K-car too. Unfortunately, just only 4,392 units were sold from 1992 to 1994.

The reasons behind the short life of the AZ-1 was its high-price while being launched in Japanese recession. Nowadays, AZ-1 becomes a collector’s favour.

The History Of Autozam AZ-1

Well, it is a Japanese 'Kei-class' compact sports car manufactured by the famous Japanese automaker - Mazda. When it comes to Kei cars, JDM enthusiasts will know about Kei trucks or Kei vans, but little is known about the existence of Kei sports cars and the Autozam AZ-1 is one of them. 

Launched in October 1992, the AZ-1 was the brainchild of Mazda's Autozam division, however, Suzuki provided the engine as well as the inspiration for the design. Manufactured from 1992 to 1994, the Autozam AZ-1 was available with two color options: Siberia blue and classic red and each model was sold through the Autozam dealer network in Japan.  

Unfortunately, due to being debuted during the recession in Japan and was claimed to have higher prices than its competitors such as Honda Beat or Suzuki Cappuccino, the AZ-1 had a short life of just 2 years, and its production ended in October 1994. Only 4392 units were sold from 1992 to 1994. Although the production of the Mazda AZ-1 stopped, Mazda had plenty of stock to sell off. At that time, the AZ-1 was also sold by Suzuki as the Cara with only minor detail changes including the addition of fog lamps. 

Although the AZ-1 was discontinued in 1994, its impact on the automotive industry continues to be felt and lives in the hearts of car enthusiasts. 

Mazda Autozam AZ-1 - The Teeny Tiny King Of Kei Cars

Designed to fit inside the regulations of the Kei category, the AZ1 is as small as a smart car but has a spec like a supercar - gull-wing doors, mid-engined, and a novel construction. So whether it deserves the tiny King of the Kei car, let's find your answer below: 

1. Specification

2. Special design 

One of the striking features of the design of the Autozam AZ-1 is its gull-wing doors and plastic body panels. The pair of gullwing doors swung upwards, revealing a surprisingly spacious cabin for a car barely 3 meters long. 

Another thing to catch your attention when looking at an AZ-1 is its super small size. The dimensions of the Autozam AZ-1 are just 1.4 meters wide and 3.4 meters long. Its height is only 1150 mm; it is lower than a Lamborghini Gallardo. But you won’t feel that until you get into the cabin, which is too tight for anybody taller than 1.80 meters. However, its cabin is a place every driver wants to get in as it brings to you the sensation only the weird supercars can deliver.

The compact  design of this Kei sports car makes it ideal for driving crowded city streets, while its lightweight construction contributed to its agile handling.

3. Interior 

Stepping inside the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 is like entering a miniature sports car cockpit. Sitting on the high door sill, moving your bottom into the small bucket seat and swinging your legs into the footwell, raising your arm to close the gulling door like a gymnastic player, then you will see the glasshouse right above your head. The glasshouse gives you an air of freedom and excellent all-around visibility. As the AZ-1 is too small you have to use your opposite arm to operate the manual winding window, and the seats are placed very close together. However, there is still some room for the luggage and spare tire behind the seats. 

4. Autozam AZ-1 engine: Mid-engine magic 

Under the hood lay a surprisingly sophisticated powertrain. Talking about the engine of the Mazda AZ-1, it was a joint-venture with Suzuki. While Suzuki manufactured its 5-speed gearbox, 657cc engine and many other components from its K-car parts pool, Mazda was responsible for its overall engineering, design and assembly. As Mazda has always been outsourcing its K-cars from Suzuki so the make of AZ-1 engine is not much of a surprise. The joint-venture also manufactured Suzuki Cara, a sister of AZ-1, which is identical to AZ-1, except the added fog lights.

The steel chassis of the AZ-1 is clothed in body panels made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic for saving weight purpose. Like any mid-engined small cars, for example, Toyota MR2 and FIAT X1/9, the powertrain of the AZ-1 was put transversely between the rear wheels, therefore the AZ-1 is not exactly mid-engined car. However, the front to rear weight distribution of the AZ-1 is good at 44: 56, thanks to its small powertrain. The 660cc turbocharged and inter-coolered three-cylinder 12-valve engine of the AZ-1 is exactly similar to that of the Suzuki Cappucino. It produces 64 HP, the maximum enabled by the K-car regulations, but creates notably more mid-range and peak torque compared to the naturally aspirated engine of Honda Beat.

Overall, the Mazda AZ-1 is a small car that is pretty quick.

5. Driving experience 

When driving a Mazda AZ-1, you will be interested in the very quick steering and the whoosh of the wastegate. With little weight at the nose to deal with and just 2.2 turns from lock to lock, the steering of the AZ-1 is too sensitive to the point of being nervous. Though the heavier tail offers good traction and grip, once its limit is exceeded, catching the tail with opposite lock is what you have to do immediately. It is not a car manufactured for power slides. So like its mini-supercar looks recommended, it has to be respected.

6. Autozam AZ 1 price

If you are looking for a Mazda AZ1 for sale, you can refer to buying one from the Japanese export platforms to get a good deal. Currently, the prices of the Autozam AZ-1 on our website range from US$ 19,115 to US$ 32,708 depending on each model and year. It's quite affordable to have a sports car like this.

We, Car From Japan is one of the biggest platforms selling used cars in the world. In our stock, we have a lot of used Mazda Autozam Az-1 cars for sale. We are sure that every used Mazda AZ-1 we collected from car owners throughout Japan is good-quality used car.

We do have a sales expert team supporting customers 24/7. So if you are considering about one of the Mazda Autozam Az-1 for sale on our website, please feel free to contact us by clicking the button “Inquire now” to get further advice and information.