MBX Metro | Mazda Autozam AZ-1

The Mazda Autozam Az-1 is a mid-engine Kei-Class sports car developed in collaboration with Suzuki provided the engine and some inspiration for the design. It was produced from October 1992 to October 1994 and was exclusively sold in Japan. The proposal for the creation of this car goes back to 1985 with Suzuki creating a mid-engine car of their own. There have been several stages in the process of creating this car, and it took years until it was unveiled and became a production car sold only in Japan. Matchbox has produced its die-cast version debuting for the 2023 mainline in Gloss Dark Blue.

For a car like the Mazda Autozam AZ-1, it is ahead of its time as the Kei-Class vehicles didn’t much attention until the 2000s with small trucks becoming increasingly popular in Western countries. But for a car like the Autozam AZ-1 it has become its legend for being a sports car with a mid-engine is a rare thing.

The casting is popular with everything JDM-related these days collectors would get anything that is from Japan. With the Autozam AZ-1 making it on retail its initial availability was limited, but it is not as popular as the favourites that most die-cast collectors are looking for. The Autozam AZ-1 is a popular car, but not as highly regarded as most would think and yet it is still a unique model on its own.

Autozam-ing the Japanese Roads

The real Mazda Autozam AZ-1 is not unique for being a Kei-Class mid-engine sports car. The two-passenger car opens up with gullwing doors which is rarely a concept used in a conventional car. Since it is a collaboration with Suzuki most of the later models were rebadged into the Suzuki Cara.

In Matchbox die-cast form the casting is not entirely die-cast as the lower half of the car’s base is plastic, while the middle part retains the “die-cast metal” part of the entire roof and the windshield is in translucent smoke black eliminating the concept of the gullwing doors for a “Moving Parts” version.

But despite the “budget constraints” that appear to save cost on the design it still retains that familiar silhouette for a car that is hardly known until it is turned into a Matchbox Car. It is still a likable model with the headlights being part of the roof/windows being part of it not being just painted on.

This vehicle is of course based on the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 Kei-Class Sports Car by Matchbox.

Key Features of the Autoxam AZ-1 below:

• Year Release: 2023 | MBX Metro Subtheme
• Base Color: Dark Gray | Plastic
• Exterior Color: Gloss Dark Blue | Metal
• Interior: Dark Gray
• Window: Smoke Tint
• Tampo: Detailed Trim Front and Rear
• Interior: Gray

Mazda Models, Then and Now

Matchbox has produced Mazda models over the years some inspired or based on the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 using the technology for the way the current Mazda cars are much improved. This shows some of the well-known Mazda vehicles that Matchbox has ever produced can be compared side-by-side with the Autozam AZ-1.

The scale between each car parked beside the Autozam AZ-1 is not the same as the size is undersized for something that would be the same size as the Mazda 3 or the Mazda MX-5 Miata. But seeing it being a medium-sized car beside a Mazda CX-5 shows the scaling is not perfect, but it is a Mazda and that is all that matters to those who collected anything that the Matchbox brand has produced featuring the current Mazda models of today.

Overall, the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 is the latest addition to the Mazda models produced for the Matchbox Brand despite being undersized and the build quality not the same as the way they produced the Mazda MX-5 Miata it is a popular model for being a Kei-Class mid-engine sports car that most would only dream of having seen on the Japanese roads.

It is a special car rarely a Kei Class of its caliber would be ever produced in the 1990s, and most who can afford to import it would have found out that there was an actual car out there that was based on the die-cast model that Matchbox has ever produced debuting in 2023 as its maiden year.

"1992 Mazda Autozam AZ-1" is part of the MBX Metro segment series and overall 003/100 released for the 2023 year, which was acquired at Toys R’ Us Flagship Store in Robinsons Galleria in Pasig City for ₱ 120.00 Pesos ($ 3.32 AUD | $ 2.17 USD**) for a limited time on discount for October 2023, which is originally priced at ₱ 149.75 Pesos ($ 4.14 AUD | $ 2.71 USD**). Matchbox is distributed in the Philippines by Richprime Global Inc.

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