The Mazda Autozam AZ-1 remains one of the most unconventional production cars to emerge from Japan’s early-1990s automotive landscape, a period marked by bold engineering ideas and abrupt economic reality. Designed within Japan’s restrictive Kei car regulations, the AZ-1 attempted to compress supercar-inspired design and layout into one of the smallest production sports cars of its era.
Introduced in 1992 under Mazda’s Autozam sub-brand, the AZ-1 featured styling and engineering that sharply contrasted with most Kei-class vehicles. Its defining elements included gullwing doors, a mid-mounted turbocharged engine, rear-wheel drive, and seating for two. At just 720 kilograms, or approximately 1,587 pounds, the AZ-1 delivered a power-to-weight balance that prioritized agility over outright speed.
The project traced its origins to a series of Suzuki prototypes developed during the 1980s, beginning with the RS/1 and later the RS/3. While Suzuki ultimately chose not to proceed with production, Mazda assumed control of the concept through Autozam. Development was led by Toshihiko Hirai, best known for his work on the MX-5, who refined the car into a production-ready design.
The final AZ-1 used a steel unibody chassis paired with lightweight composite exterior panels, with significant development work carried out in England. Power came from a turbocharged 657cc Suzuki F6A inline-three engine, producing between 63 and 66 horsepower depending on specification. A five-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels, reinforcing the car’s driver-focused intent.
Early interest suggested strong demand, but Japan’s early-1990s economic downturn quickly dampened sales expectations. Mazda introduced multiple special editions in an effort to stimulate interest, though production volumes never reached original projections.
Today, the Autozam AZ-1 has gained renewed attention among collectors, particularly within global Japanese domestic market circles. A 1993 example recently offered in Hong Kong illustrates the model’s lasting appeal, retaining its signature gullwing doors, mid-engine layout, and compact proportions. Once overlooked, the AZ-1 is now widely regarded as one of the most daring interpretations of the Kei car formula ever brought to market.
Via Collecting Cars