Mazda R360
The Mazda R360 is a kei car manufactured and marketed by Mazda as the company's first passenger car — a two-door, four-seat coupé. Introduced in 1960, the R360 featured a 1,760 mm (69.3 in) wheelbase, weighed 380 kg (838 lb) and was powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled 356 cc V-twin engine producing 16 PS (12 kW)[1] and 22 N⋅m (16 lb⋅ft) of torque. The car was capable of 84 km/h (52 mph)[2] and featured a 4-speed manual or two-speed automatic transmission.[1] The suspension, front and rear, was rubber "springs" and torsion bars.
| Mazda R360[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Production | 1960–1966 |
| Assembly | Hiroshima Assembly, Hiroshima, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Kei car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 356 cc V-twin |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 2-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) |
| Length | 2,980 mm (117.3 in) |
| Width | 1,290 mm (50.8 in) |
| Height | 1,290 mm (50.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 380 kg (838 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mazda P360 |
Within a few years of introducing the R360, Mazda had captured much of the lightweight (kei car) market in Japan. The R360 was augmented by the Mazda P360 "Carol" two-door and four-door sedan in 1962. Production of the R360 lasted for six years.
B360 Pickup
The B360 was a pickup truck bodystyle based on parts of the R360 Coupé. It used the same 356 cc engine, but in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Like most pickups, it used a rigid rear axle and leaf spring suspension. The engine was replaced with the Carol's 358 cc I4 in 1964, and the B360 was replaced by the Mazda E360 in 1967.
A larger B600 pickup was introduced for the export market. It used a 577 cc version of the Mazda V-twin.
References
- "Mazda R360 Coupe". [240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology]. Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- Dimartino, Marco (2020-03-11). "Mazda R360 Coupe: la storia di successo della prima autovettura" [Mazda R360 Coupe: the success story of the first passenger car]. Quotidiano Motori (in Italian). H Fusion Media & Communications Limited. Archived from the original on 2020-10-12.
