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.[citation needed]
| Mazda R360 Coupé[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.
Specification
editThere were two variants of the Mazda R360, officially known as KRBB and KRBC.[3] Both variants were very similar visually, however the first generation, KRBB came with a 4-speed manual transmission, whereas the second generation KRBC came with a 2-speed "TORQ DRIVE" automatic transmission.
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| Maximum Speed | Minimum Turning Radius | Fuel Consumption (with 2 passengers) | Braking Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95km/h (85km/h) | 4.0m | 32km/L (25km/L) | 13m(50km/h) |
| Type | Bore x Stroke | Displacement | Compression Ratio | Maximum BHP | Maximum Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forced Air-cooled,2-Cylinder,4-Cycle,90degree V | 60 x 63mm | 356cc | 8.0 | 16ps/5300rpm | 2.2kgm/4000rpm |
Interior and exterior colours
editExterior
editThe standard Mazda R360 came in 3 different exterior whole-body colours; Opal Green, Maroon Rouge and Somerset Blue. [6]
The non-standard Deluxe Mazda R360 came in multi colour variants; Blue and Cream and Red and Cream. [7]
Interior
editFor the interior of the Mazda R360, the official colour choices were Red or Blue. These colour options were available for the seats, carpet and inner door panels.[8]
B360 Pickup
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "Mazda R360 - Specification". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ^ "Mazda R360 - Specification". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ^ "Mazda R360 - Specification". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ^ "Mazda R360 - Colours". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ^ "Mazda R360 - Colours". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ^ "Mazda R360 - Colours". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.