1992 Autozam AZ-1 - The Teeny Tiny King Of Kei Cars

[@goldengooch1867]

This thing is just too impossibly cool. A classic case of 'they will never build a car like this again', even with stuff like the S660 on the Japanese market.

[@IsuckAtDriving]

Great review and thanks for the history lesson! I did not know that the UK was involved in this. I have owned and daily drive the AZ-1 for 6 months and have put in 5000KM on it, and it is fantastic as a daily driver! I loved everything about it from the turbo sniffles to the sense of speed without breaking the speed limit. And of course the looks it gets, especially from kids. That's where you know you are driving something truly special.

[@xdddbx]

Do more Forza videos

[@larrypizzaguy520]

Second.

[@NeXMaX]

You misspelled Forza. It's Forga.

[@Brandon-uy1uv]

What is the fuel economy?

[@lrs3]

How could you not love the Autozam?

[@RTJ_CARS]

It looks ugly

[@bid84]

I’d be pretty embarrassed climbing out of that going into the supermarket or local garage

[@Gravengaard]

@@bid84 I do that all the time - nothing to embarrassed about when you know how to do it. You can egress much more gracefully in this than a Lambo

[@sean6992]

Its pretty cool

[@JamesGlenCarSales1982]

It’s easy when you know how 👍

[@realnutteruk1]

Absolutely the most desirable car you've ever featured.... totally wonderful!

[@jamiepeterson5646]

This is probably the most historically accurate video about the AZ-1 out there. Andy really knows these cars well, and JayEmm clearly listened and cared enough to include a lot of information that's otherwise sadly buried, such as Hawtal Whiting developing the production car, and manufacturing taking place outside of Mazda (at Kurata). My only criticism is that it's still implied that it came from a Suzuki concept, but the lead designer had already settled on the general shape before the RS/1 was even produced. The Suzuki concept myth comes from a Dutch owner's blog - one of the earliest sources in English - but the designer actually says he drew inspiration from the abandoned mid-engined MX-5 concept, plus some early Autozam Carol drawings he did which were also mid-engined. Suzuki didn't become aware of the AZ-1 until August 1988, when the powertrain supply agreement was negotated, and until then, Mazda was actually using a 550cc Daihatsu engine in the early prototypes.

[@Gravengaard]

JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! Our very own in-house AZ-1 historian

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Glad I was *mostly* correct and yes, Andy is a passionate owner and was very helpful with researching this car

[@duncanmartin2626]

I love these things. We need a triple test - this, the Capuccino and the Honda Beat. :)

[@JamesGlenCarSales1982]

I’ve just bought one and drove it home from Sweden. Was quite a trip. Loved every mile.

[@JustAnotherPoorSlob]

@7:46 "I've diverted power from life support to the thrusters" 🤣 I knew there was a reason I love your videos....

[@LarsAgerbk]

7:05 I sat in one of these at a "super"-car meeting and I remember telling the guy who owned it, that I considered it the star of the show. There was plenty of Ferraris, Porsches etc.. Since I'm 6'5", I couldn't close the door.

[@miket570]

Appreciate the levels of detail and research that must go into these videos. You've somehow manage to make history lessons very entertaining! Loving the obscure JDM car btw!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Mike, it's a journey of discovery for me too!

[@davekennedy6315]

These reviews are so bloody interesting! Jay you inform us and keep us enormously entertained about these weird and truly wonderful oddball Japanese tiny cars. You have far and away my favourite car channel, each and every review a little gem and about cars that literally couldn't be anymore different from each other.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Dave, very kind words there!

[@Gravengaard]

Hands down the best online review of the AZ-1. As an owner myself (almost 5 years) I can attest to everything being said here. I've swapped the stock suspension for coilovers though... makes for a pretty harsh ride around town, but the grip is even more incredible now on the B-roads. Love it!

[@Raatokalle]

How difficult it is to maintain? Especially engine wise. Do you have to order everything from japan or does it share some common parts with other mazdas?

[@Gravengaard]

@@Raatokalle more or less everything had to be ordered from Japan. It shares some components with the older Suzuki Alto, so some parts are possible to get in Europe. That being said availability of parts in Japan is surprisingly good

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

That sure is nuts. I WANT ONE!

[@carguygibby]

Great video, James. I just saw one yesterday at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee!

[@rasherbasher8203]

This car is 100% more interesting than all the SUV's nowadays... ❤ cool little thing..👍

[@markjagodzinski1850]

literal dream car

[@psircos]

Unlike some of the other K-cars you've been in recently, this really looks like it should have another 40 horses! Absolutely brilliant though....gotta love the Japanese and their way of thinking and attention to detail 👍

[@possibly8180]

Tuners have gotten over a hundred out of these engines. Would be proper terrifying in something that light I'd imagine

[@mrb6094]

Perfect timing. I was actually boring the wife talking about Kei cars earlier, and my example was this car!

[@Reznor_Meeks]

brings back memories of Gran Turismo 5, so many Autozam's at the Daytona circuit doing car shows, such a GEM of a car, what an era, such car would NEVER ever pass a OEM board these days, golden era of creativity, character back when being adventurous was a perk to be admired.

[@Cloxxki]

I had a Mazda 323F with floppy head lights. One of them worked every single time.

[@jeeves_uk]

Cooler than any supercar, Facts.

[@bid84]

64hp? Ehhhh no

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Sweet. I drove a Honda Beat for many years - I had a similar procedure with the aircon, always disengage on arrival at your favourite stretch of road...

[@colinmaynard2879]

Thank you for the “power from life support to thrust “ line.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Glad someone appreciated it

[@Ashfielder]

EXCITING MICRO COUPE Love that very ‘90s very Japanese graphic.

[@RossReviewsau]

this is one of the coolest Kei cars ever 100% would love to test one out someday!

[@Mtnflying]

Thanks!

[@bobstark184]

What a fabulous review of a fantastic little car! I've only ever seen pictures of one before, so brilliant to see a proper road test.

[@KeenanStyles]

Not gonna lie I clicked immediately just to see you squeeze into this thing like Mr. Incredible 🤣

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It was actually pretty easy to get in!

[@davidramsay-kerr1959]

Greetings, jolly James, Really LOVE the AZ1. In my 60-odd years of driving (and 70-odd as a car enthusiast)), there aren't so many cars that have instantly claimed my heart. (You'll laugh: incidentally, I love SMALL) Among them: Jaguar D Type, Austin A40 Farina, Mini Cooper S, Mini Moke, Jaguar Mk II, MGB GT, Ogle GT, ....and that doesn't get me past the 1960s! But you can see where I'm coming from! Current wheels? Supercharged Toyota Yaris (and an electric OAP scooter). Love your work, my boy, even though I've thrown you a few crits.

[@1_5RCBiker]

The early '90s were also a great time for Japanese bikes. The Honda FireBlade springs to mind, the Kawasaki ZZR100 and the wicked 400's from all manufacturers for the domestic market.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome car. Thank you for making videos on this fun and quirky car. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@paulking54]

Love it!!! What a cool early nineties Japanese number . This and the 80's90's supercharged toyota mr2 put a real smile on my face. Cheers Jay.

[@adogmcdizzle]

Love it love it love it - Thank you for doing this review

[@bicyclist2]

Very cool car. I think Doug Demuro did a review of one. I've never even seen one of these before. I hope to get the chance to just see one some day. Thank you.

[@jameswalker366]

You can actually get an N2 ECU, upgraded turbo and injectors kits which bolt on. Brings the power in 120bhp.

[@jeb419]

That would be fun with 120bhp.

[@Geordiebennyboy]

Watched this a few times now. Its defo a dream car weekend fun car. Imagine it parked next to a evo 6 tme. Best combo ever

[@SamFrostDigitalMarketing]

Great review - love these Kei cars. My brother lived in Japan for a few years and drove a Honda "N Box" kei car. You should look out a Suzuki Super Carry ... that's a very cool kei van and like a tardis inside.

[@jamesbuckingham77]

Great line James; "I've diverted power from life-support to the thrusters" 😂

[@JamesDOConnor1916]

Very cool 😎 thanks James I love the AZ - 1

[@3ducs]

The concept reminds me of the American Bantam cars pre-WWII. Those were based on the Austin 7, very whimsical cars, wonderfully styled. They were quite expensive for their size though. Some would've called them cartoonish and indeed a Bantam was the inspiration of a car seen in animated cartoons in the prewar era.

[@JeffLongley]

Just an incredible car - it absolutely was Japan’s gold age of car. Currently pricing up which body parts I need to sell to own one of these…

[@thetezz0001]

Well made video great job bro

[@markymarkreviews]

Easily one, if not the best review you have done on your channel. Great car, and very informative. I get the feeling it is these such cars, with the energy & cost of living crisis we will be in for a while, which the market needs although may be as an EV though. Had my Daihatsu Copen 1.3 for 6 years and 100,000 miles. Still miss it. Never seems to get the same rep as the Capucinno and Honda Beat but was a truly great car. And had the best steering feel of any car I have owned as it had hydraulic steering. MM

[@eze8970]

Needs a one make race series! Thanks J, quirky & cool car!

[@426baron]

Kinda reminds me of my Seicento Sporting. It felt crazy fast at very legal speeds, every roundabout feeling like a racetrack corner.

[@janstaes2172]

great review, mazda had a luxury brand in the '90, xedos.

[@benzinapaul7416]

Mr Pedantic here, 'head up' not 'heads up'. Great review of a great little car

[@JRGRAY-33]

Gorjus looking car...! Another cracking review

[@az5655]

Loving all the glass. Mint little car.

[@SA-zoom1]

The front of this looks exactly like one of the baby Robot Aliens from the 80's film 'Batteries Not Included'.. look it up. Can't be unseen.

[@ElTurfStuff]

I'd never fit in this car, but I love the look and idea of it too much! Nice review of something entirely unusual. As usual...

[@michaelcole3998]

I love this little car, quirky it is by definition and that's what gives it its appeal. Not sure I'd give my MX5 up for it but I'd bet it would be as much fun in a different way

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I love it. It looks like a mini MR2 !

[@ptjww9455]

Like most kei cars, its main shortcoming is it's not available in LHD. Reminds me a lot of my beloved Smart Roadster from a few years back...

[@neilmustow368]

What a cute set of wheels loving the Kei car reviews James 😎😎

[@Lot76CARS]

Like that one James, what an interesting little car that is… now off to the Bay of ar to find one….

[@leejones4768]

Cool video! This is now one of my favourite japanese cars, second only to the Mitsubishi GTO.

[@JowoHD]

definitely a dream car of mine. so cool

[@brusselssprouts560]

Love it, and I see some design that might have found its way to the Mk1 MR2? It sounds really nice too with that exhaust. A car to go somewhere and have a very big smile on your face all day!

[@tsmith7146]

Mk1 MR2 predates this by 7 or 8 years.

[@brusselssprouts560]

@@tsmith7146 The other way around then 🙄😀

[@pizzagogo6151]

Excellent feature, thanks👍. much as I am a fan of the Suzuki Cappuccino.( thanks for the recent review), ever since I first saw one, I’ve alway been obsessed with these😍, would give a lot to own one one day, but unfortunately.....pretty much unobtainable where I am😁

[@nelsonclub7722]

I mean C'mon. Just too cool for words.

[@istimamrian5300]

Idk about others, the 3 cylinder engine sounds a lot like a 6 cylinder

[@Eksistenssi]

whoa, didn't expect to find this one on your channel

[@Eragon_R.T.S.]

Hi Jayem. I love your informative reviews💙! I would love it if when you get the chance to review the Toyota Sera.

[@heem6619]

You should check out the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini too.

[@urbanmenace7705]

I always wanted to get one of these & do a nutty bike engine conversion on it. Bet it’d be an absolute riot with a ‘busa turbo or H2R engine in the back.

[@damienhowell3727]

I'd love one of thoses for christmas lol they sound fantastic for such a small thing very special indeed

[@laser-sj]

Thanks for finally making a video that doesnt have any references to porsche. 😂

[@MrNegativecreep07]

As a man, I feel no shame in saying that car is absolutely adorably cute and I love it.

[@ingopaul67]

What a wonderful little car.

[@jamesengland7461]

"I've diverted power from life support to the thrusters" BRILLIANT!

[@888johnmac]

lol , that line also made me laugh

[@chriscrossan8034]

This and the Honda Beat are on my lottery win shopping list.

[@S-Ltd1000]

Why I love Japanese cars and Mazda in particular.

[@jimmykucera8627]

Awwww that Turbo sneezing 🤓 Review a Smart ForTwo 450 and hear it’s Turbo ROAR 🥸

[@mat9516]

interesting piece. cool little car

[@naguoning]

Some Kei cars have made it into other Asian markets which also have tax bias towards small engine sizes. In most cases they are also RHD but in at least a couple of cases the cars were also made in LHD for sale here (Taiwan) eg the Daihatsu Cophen. It might not work for EU, UK, USA, AU, Africa etc but for crowded Asian countries they made sense.

[@ianmead7712]

You enjoyed that I can tell which is good 😀

[@Steven-p4j]

You are reminding me, somewhat uncannily, of what I generally describe as a go-kart. With the road holding of a large quadrangle, with wheels set firmly at each corner. On the road, I drive smoothly, with alacrity. A go-kart does not make me wish for smooth and steady wins, a podium.

[@everythingjacksrc7201]

Very cool James 🙏🏼 could you review the Daihatsu copen by any chance mate

[@klasseact6663]

James...put this in your suitcase and take it for a spin on The Tail of the Dragon 🐉

[@Dominik189]

I wonder how it'd be to drive if you tuned one up to 120-150whp and just went up +10 in rear tire width. Would probably make the car even more bonkers.

[@markonmotoring]

I have said for some time now that even though the Japanese released some fantastic sports cars and coupes back in the 90's, it's the Kie cars that for me are some of the most exciting cars to come out of Japan. Having wanted to own a mid engined car for decades the AZ1 strikes a chord with me, as does the Honda S660. Oh and I liked Micheal Keaton as Batman too. 😅

[@kiefershanks4172]

I too divert power from my car's life support systems but for maximum range. Have you seen the cost of hyperdrive fuel? It's mental.

[@jakobholgersson4400]

This thing reminds me of the Saab Sonett. In fact, I wish Saab would've ordered a version with a bigger engine and better dashboard and sold it as Sonett IV.

[@RandomUsername1995blah]

Really good review, your videos are miles better when you’re being yourself and not trying to be a mid 00’s Clarkson copy.

[@neil1922]

Woaa that is SO AWESOME!

[@eddiekrustysock4395]

Exciting Micro Coupe energy

[@4pevans]

That thing is SWEET!

[@EzzaLeo]

I want one of these so badly

[@ThunderChunky101]

I love these! Someone somewhere must have put a Hayabusa engine in one 😂 Edit: looks like a lot of people have searched it on KZbin!

[@Gravengaard]

Everybody's talking about it, but none have succeeded. Trust me, a lot of people are like "Busa swap", but once they actually own one, they find out the F6A is a really capable engine.

[@Gorbyrev]

Nuts, off to the classifieds. There are two in Middlesborough listed as JDMs with an automatic transmission. Was that even an option on these?

[@andywarne963]

No, none were made with auto.

[@Gorbyrev]

@@andywarne963 Thank you, thought so.

[@MINIMOTOMADNESS]

8.47 is that hubnut in front?

[@MrOvershoot]

That was my first thought ;)

[@Epic_ProductionsYT]

that is the silliest, most impractical car i have ever seen. and i fucking love that silly thing so much.

[@rumengeorgiev3741]

cheer's for the neighbour from Basildon 😊😊😊

[@geoffwallis8588]

That looks a proper hoot to drive

[@grayfool]

Yep, very cool.

[@trentweston8306]

The Honda Beat is more my tune 😉 The AZ-1 is very special even amongst the golden age of Japanese cars.

[@banglacibai6713]

This will exist again in EV form,very practical for big city,saving u a lot

[@ralfhenke677]

Only 4.5k sold? Why? That thing is fu#*ing brilliant! Ok, it's not a convertible but it looks better than a Cappucino, too (IMHO). Why don't they sell more of those things outside Japan. Up the power a little (to maybe 80 or 90 hp), fit a tire rescue kit under the bonnet instead of a spare to gain some official luggage space and you'll have one little scorcher that will rival the latest iPhone on the youngsters desirability charts.

[@ralfhenke677]

... and as you'd have probably guessed already: I want one!

[@Gravengaard]

Agreed - it's funny, because they actually did some promotion for it in the US in 1992/93, but only for the New York autoshow. It's funny, because mine actually has around 90 HP and a tire foam kit instead, making it pretty practical. You can fit two carry-on trolleys with room to spare in the back... And a case of canned beer in the frunk ;)

[@ralfhenke677]

@@Gravengaard Yeah, I read somewhere that for some purposes they installed a larger engine from the Suzuki Swift/Cultus. I suppose you lucky bas..rd have one of them. ;-)

[@Gravengaard]

@@ralfhenke677 nah, only the F6A for the AZ-1 /CARA. But is doesn't require a lot of tuning to get it to 90 hp 😍

[@1183newman]

would love to take one of these, lengthen it, widen it and put an ls in the back. Then i guess it would be a regular sized car :)