We saw a concept car showcased by Suzuki with the name “Alto Concept” that looked completely different (and nicer) from the Alto that’s selling in countries like India. And today, we see that different Alto body get announced for production, but not with a Suzuki badge. The car above is the new full model change Mazda Carol and it’s essentially a badge engineered Alto, a common practice between Japanese compact carmakers.
You can have it with either a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic or a CVT transmission. There is also a 4WD CVT model as well as a 4WD 4-speed auto model, surprisingly. The sole engine option is a 660cc VVT engine. The front wheel drive CVT version is claimed to be able to achieve 24.5km per litre according to the 10-15 cycle.
This may not be relevant info for us but all variants of the Carol qualify for Japan’s eco-car tax reductions (grades with CVT or five-speed manual qualify for 75 percent reductions while 4-speed auto models get 50 percent reductions). All grades also qualify for Japan’s eco-car incentive program which has various incentives like tax incentives and etc. Compared to the bigger Mazda Axela, only 6 out of 9 Axela variants qualify for the incentive program.
Look after the jump for hi-res photos of the new Mazda Carol.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
FIRST!!!!!!!!
remind me of viva
hey,the rear legroom is nice!
Can only fit Nemo inside but good for city driving and parking.
Love the dashboard.
Mr. Tan,'Nice' is subjective.
Maybe you should omit that and let the reader be the judge of it. I've always been an admirer of your blog, and I wish for this blog to maintain its style of professional presentation, unlike most other automotive blogs that 'force' the readers to accept whatever view the author has.
Anyway, the car looks like a Myvi..or, a short-wheelbase Alza. hehe. Seriusly, look at the A-, B- and C-pillars.
Aren't the japs complaining about the beige interior? It's such a valuable ammo for bashers here if our local marques were fitted with such.
hate the dashboard
this is made in india? when is mazda 2 coming to malaysia?
so which one the best??
Suzuki alto? Mazda Carol? Perodua Viva? Aston Martin Cygnet??
You are welcome to think any car is nice, not
nice, etc. Nothing is being forced here.
erm…is it Carol or Coral? One is feminine and the other is…?
nice
waa mazda using wheel cap instead of sport rim??
wah still got manufacturers using the whip style antenna.
this car is plainly a suzuki alto. so its kind of….drab
The Logo is still Mazda. Is it 4-cylinders and 8 or 12 valve, can`t be 16 i suppose. In fact, why not starts with 850cc or i.o litre. how about the price ?
Yes, it resemble Viva.but maybe wider. Well, maybe the Nano cheapest car
is prefer for 660cc car.
Copy_cat is a new trend recently..
its really a rebadged Daihatsu, I think… think of it, 600c.c…. and I think it is based on daihatsu new Mira…
its based on suzuki alto, not all small cars are daihatsu mira….
can't believe somethin so cute is in the same family as the iconic RX-7 , MX-5 , different minds at work…. or maybe its the same japanese guy….
Now every body like to copy Suzuki Alto for better fuel consumption
its much better than the proton savvy
wanna buy one now..can i?? =D
the green one is nice!!!
why the interior always look nicer than local cloned cars?
normal K car, with a slightly high roof to accomodate a more upright seating, just like a Viva, which is why the legroom is impressive for a car that size..