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Mazda Carol (マツダ キャロル) (KPDA/NRA). 1962–70 (prod. 265,226 for 360 only). 2- and 4-door sedan. R/R, 358, 568 cm³ (I4 OHV). Mazda’s response to the Subaru 360 that was proving particularly popular, in recognition that its own V-twin R360 Coupé was too small for Japanese buyers, who demanded a proper four-seat car. Originally shown as the Mazda 700 at the Tokyo show in 1961, but launched with a water-cooled, four-stroke 0·36-litre engine, with five-bearing crankshaft. Three-box design, one up on the Subaru, with a reverse-rake rear window line that was unique in Japan at the time. Alloy-bodied, but still heavy, making it hard work for the engine, and dampening sales. Rear engine mounted horizontally, with engine-driven forced cooling fan bringing air in from the side. Four-wheel independent suspension. Launched February 1962, with deluxe 0·6-litre model (Carol 600) appearing in November that year. The millionth Mazda vehicle was a Carol 600. Four-door appeared September 1963, believed to be the first four-door kei car. The 600 was short-lived, replaced by the first Familia. Sales dropped fairly quickly as more rivals arrived, including the Honda N360. Minor changes in 1966, but heavy weight remained an issue. Plans to install a single-rotor rotary engine never realized.
Manufacturing location: Hiroshima, Japan
Marque: Mazda | Model: Mazda Carol | Successors: Mazda Familia (SSA), Mazda Chantez
Austin A95/Austin A105. 1956–9 (prod. 34,835, incl. 6,770 A105). 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/R, 2639 cm³ (I6 OHV). Updated A90, gaining a new designation. Longer rear, with more streamlined wings, and the addition of an estate car, dubbed Countryman (for A95 only). Saloons called Westminster, though the tag was missing from marketing materials. New, more prominent grille and bumpers. Larger rear window for saloon, sloping rear bootlid, aiding loading. Two-tone body colours available. Power up only marginally, to 92 bhp. Optional overdrive, and new to the A95, an automatic transmission option. A105 featured fog and spot lamps near the bumper. Wing mirrors disappeared. A105 Vanden Plas model, trimmed by the coachbuilder, from 1958 to 1959, prod. 500. Also sold in Australia as the Morris Marshal.
Manufacturing locations: Longbridge, West Midlands, England; Australia
Marque: Austin | Predecessor: Austin A90, A105 | Successor: Austin A99 Westminster
Ford Taurus (D568). 2015 to date (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan. F/F, 1499, 1999 cm³ (I4 DOHC), 2694 cm³ (V6 DOHC). Fourth-platform Taurus first to be officially sold in China, built locally by Changan–Ford and co-developed by Ford Australia. Shown at the Shanghai show in 2015, with sales from September. Much lighter than D258, helping with performance; the three Ecoboost units at launch delivered 181, 245 and 329 hp. Just shy of 5 m (4,997 mm) in length, with a 2,949 mm wheelbase. Upscale, almost Germanic appearance, with shades of the Fusion, on which it was based, and the Chinese-market Escort. Facelift in 2019.
Manufacturing location: Chongqing, China
Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Taurus
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