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.
@jamiepeterson56462 жыл бұрын
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.
@Gravengaard2 жыл бұрын
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! Our very own in-house AZ-1 historian
@JayEmmOnCars2 жыл бұрын
Glad I was *mostly* correct and yes, Andy is a passionate owner and was very helpful with researching this car
@lrs32 жыл бұрын
How could you not love the Autozam?
@RTJ_CARS2 жыл бұрын
It looks ugly
@bid842 жыл бұрын
I’d be pretty embarrassed climbing out of that going into the supermarket or local garage
@Gravengaard2 жыл бұрын
@@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
@sean69922 жыл бұрын
Its pretty cool
@JamesGlenCarSales1982 Жыл бұрын
It’s easy when you know how 👍
@IsuckAtDriving2 жыл бұрын
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.
@xdddbx2 жыл бұрын
Do more Forza videos
@larrypizzaguy5202 жыл бұрын
Second.
@NeXMaX2 жыл бұрын
You misspelled Forza. It's Forga.
@Brandon-uy1uv2 жыл бұрын
What is the fuel economy?
@realnutteruk12 жыл бұрын
Absolutely the most desirable car you've ever featured.... totally wonderful!
@duncanmartin26262 жыл бұрын
I love these things. We need a triple test - this, the Capuccino and the Honda Beat. :)
@jeeves_uk2 жыл бұрын
Cooler than any supercar, Facts.
@bid842 жыл бұрын
64hp? Ehhhh no
@KeenanStyles2 жыл бұрын
Not gonna lie I clicked immediately just to see you squeeze into this thing like Mr. Incredible 🤣
@JayEmmOnCars2 жыл бұрын
It was actually pretty easy to get in!
@LarsAgerbk2 жыл бұрын
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.
@rasherbasher82032 жыл бұрын
This car is 100% more interesting than all the SUV's nowadays... ❤ cool little thing..👍
@JamesGlenCarSales1982 Жыл бұрын
I’ve just bought one and drove it home from Sweden. Was quite a trip. Loved every mile.
@psircos2 жыл бұрын
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 👍
@possibly8180Ай бұрын
Tuners have gotten over a hundred out of these engines. Would be proper terrifying in something that light I'd imagine
@mrb60942 жыл бұрын
Perfect timing. I was actually boring the wife talking about Kei cars earlier, and my example was this car!
@JustAnotherPoorSlob2 жыл бұрын
@7:46 "I've diverted power from life support to the thrusters" 🤣 I knew there was a reason I love your videos....
@miket5702 жыл бұрын
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!
@JayEmmOnCars2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Mike, it's a journey of discovery for me too!
@Gravengaard2 жыл бұрын
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!
@Raatokalle2 жыл бұрын
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?
@Gravengaard2 жыл бұрын
@@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
@davekennedy63152 жыл бұрын
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.
@JayEmmOnCars2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dave, very kind words there!
@Reznor_Meeks2 жыл бұрын
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.
@Cloxxki2 жыл бұрын
I had a Mazda 323F with floppy head lights. One of them worked every single time.
@carguygibby2 жыл бұрын
Great video, James. I just saw one yesterday at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee!
@Ashfielder2 жыл бұрын
EXCITING MICRO COUPE Love that very ‘90s very Japanese graphic.
@colinmaynard28792 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the “power from life support to thrust “ line.
@JayEmmOnCars2 жыл бұрын
Glad someone appreciated it
@RossReviewsau2 жыл бұрын
this is one of the coolest Kei cars ever 100% would love to test one out someday!
@SA-zoom12 жыл бұрын
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.
@stigben Жыл бұрын
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
@KarlAdamsAudio2 жыл бұрын
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...
@nelsonclub77222 жыл бұрын
I mean C'mon. Just too cool for words.
@laser-sj2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for finally making a video that doesnt have any references to porsche. 😂
@markjagodzinski1850 Жыл бұрын
literal dream car
@1_5RCBiker2 жыл бұрын
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.
@davidramsay-kerr19592 жыл бұрын
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.
@adogmcdizzle2 жыл бұрын
Love it love it love it - Thank you for doing this review
@jameswalker3662 жыл бұрын
You can actually get an N2 ECU, upgraded turbo and injectors kits which bolt on. Brings the power in 120bhp.
@jeb4192 жыл бұрын
That would be fun with 120bhp.
@benzinapaul74162 жыл бұрын
Mr Pedantic here, 'head up' not 'heads up'. Great review of a great little car
@The_Original_Geoff_B2 жыл бұрын
Lovely little thing. I have to admit enjoying watch Mr. DeMuro giggle his way through a review - he clearly enjoyed it just as much as you did 😄
@JamesDOConnor19162 жыл бұрын
Very cool 😎 thanks James I love the AZ - 1
@bobstark1842 жыл бұрын
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.
@klasseact66632 жыл бұрын
James...put this in your suitcase and take it for a spin on The Tail of the Dragon 🐉
@CathodeRayNipplez2 жыл бұрын
That sure is nuts. I WANT ONE!
@janstaes21722 жыл бұрын
great review, mazda had a luxury brand in the '90, xedos.
@JeffLongley2 жыл бұрын
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…
@TheMrFishnDucks2 жыл бұрын
Awesome car. Thank you for making videos on this fun and quirky car. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
@JRGRAY-332 жыл бұрын
Gorjus looking car...! Another cracking review
@ptjww94556 ай бұрын
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...
@JowoHD2 жыл бұрын
definitely a dream car of mine. so cool
@paulking542 жыл бұрын
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.
@bicyclist22 жыл бұрын
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.
@michaelcole39982 жыл бұрын
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
@thetezz00012 жыл бұрын
Well made video great job bro
@SamFrostDigitalMarketing2 жыл бұрын
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.
@jamesbuckingham772 жыл бұрын
Great line James; "I've diverted power from life-support to the thrusters" 😂
@heem66192 жыл бұрын
You should check out the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini too.
@mat95162 жыл бұрын
interesting piece. cool little car
@jimmykucera86272 жыл бұрын
Awwww that Turbo sneezing 🤓 Review a Smart ForTwo 450 and hear it’s Turbo ROAR 🥸
@az56552 жыл бұрын
Loving all the glass. Mint little car.
@ianmead77122 жыл бұрын
You enjoyed that I can tell which is good 😀
@426baron2 жыл бұрын
Kinda reminds me of my Seicento Sporting. It felt crazy fast at very legal speeds, every roundabout feeling like a racetrack corner.
@Mtnflying2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@3ducs2 жыл бұрын
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.
@rumengeorgiev37412 жыл бұрын
cheer's for the neighbour from Basildon 😊😊😊
@eze89702 жыл бұрын
Needs a one make race series! Thanks J, quirky & cool car!
@malcolmhardwick42582 жыл бұрын
I love it. It looks like a mini MR2 !
@Lot76CARS2 жыл бұрын
Like that one James, what an interesting little car that is… now off to the Bay of ar to find one….
@jamesengland74612 жыл бұрын
"I've diverted power from life support to the thrusters" BRILLIANT!
@888johnmac2 жыл бұрын
lol , that line also made me laugh
@markymarkreviews2 жыл бұрын
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
@ingopaul672 жыл бұрын
What a wonderful little car.
@ElTurfStuff2 жыл бұрын
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...
@Eksistenssi2 жыл бұрын
whoa, didn't expect to find this one on your channel
@ThunderChunky101 Жыл бұрын
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 Жыл бұрын
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.
@neilmustow3682 жыл бұрын
What a cute set of wheels loving the Kei car reviews James 😎😎
@Epic_ProductionsYT3 ай бұрын
that is the silliest, most impractical car i have ever seen. and i fucking love that silly thing so much.
@damienhowell37272 жыл бұрын
I'd love one of thoses for christmas lol they sound fantastic for such a small thing very special indeed
@S-Ltd10002 жыл бұрын
Why I love Japanese cars and Mazda in particular.
@MrNegativecreep072 жыл бұрын
As a man, I feel no shame in saying that car is absolutely adorably cute and I love it.
@leejones47682 жыл бұрын
Cool video! This is now one of my favourite japanese cars, second only to the Mitsubishi GTO.
@urbanmenace77052 жыл бұрын
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.
@everythingjacksrc72012 жыл бұрын
Very cool James 🙏🏼 could you review the Daihatsu copen by any chance mate
@gabrielcaramet32382 жыл бұрын
This thing is so dam cool
@Eragon_R.T.S.2 жыл бұрын
Hi Jayem. I love your informative reviews💙! I would love it if when you get the chance to review the Toyota Sera.
@pizzagogo61512 жыл бұрын
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😁
@scubatrucker68062 жыл бұрын
I remembered when I first saw one I thought it was cool.
@4pevans2 жыл бұрын
That thing is SWEET!
@brusselssprouts5602 жыл бұрын
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!
@tsmith71462 жыл бұрын
Mk1 MR2 predates this by 7 or 8 years.
@brusselssprouts5602 жыл бұрын
@@tsmith7146 The other way around then 🙄😀
@Steven-p4j6 ай бұрын
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.
@jakobholgersson44002 жыл бұрын
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.
@10rGreenninja2 жыл бұрын
Love it 🙂
@R0n8urgundy2 жыл бұрын
Toms Turbo Garage has a full series on one of these. kzbin.info/aero/PLaeETZPdShsOMoQmaxSiyGEkVn3EmL8Cb
@EzzaLeo2 жыл бұрын
I want one of these so badly
@banglacibai67132 жыл бұрын
This will exist again in EV form,very practical for big city,saving u a lot
@eddiekrustysock43952 жыл бұрын
Exciting Micro Coupe energy
@RandomUsername1995blah2 жыл бұрын
Really good review, your videos are miles better when you’re being yourself and not trying to be a mid 00’s Clarkson copy.
@neil19222 жыл бұрын
Woaa that is SO AWESOME!
@istimamrian5300 Жыл бұрын
Idk about others, the 3 cylinder engine sounds a lot like a 6 cylinder
@grayfool2 жыл бұрын
Yep, very cool.
@Dominik1892 жыл бұрын
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.
@davidashley43862 жыл бұрын
I want one !
@emilk1774 Жыл бұрын
I'd love that car with a yamaha R1 engine 😍
@naguoning2 жыл бұрын
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.
@geoffwallis85882 жыл бұрын
That looks a proper hoot to drive
@markonmotoring2 жыл бұрын
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. 😅