JDM Mazda Carol based on Suzuki Alto

Mazda Carol

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.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=689]

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Paul Tan

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.

 

Comments

  • polk_goh on Dec 17, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    FIRST!!!!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • w_lighter (Member) on Dec 17, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    remind me of viva

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Alpha on Dec 17, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    hey,the rear legroom is nice!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • squawk on Dec 17, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Can only fit Nemo inside but good for city driving and parking.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • acerman on Dec 17, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    Love the dashboard.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Arcane (Member) on Dec 17, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dellman on Dec 17, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    hate the dashboard

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mazda 3 MPS on Dec 17, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    this is made in india? when is mazda 2 coming to malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Dr.RaceR on Dec 17, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    so which one the best??

    Suzuki alto? Mazda Carol? Perodua Viva? Aston Martin Cygnet??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Paul Tan on Dec 17, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    You are welcome to think any car is nice, not

    nice, etc. Nothing is being forced here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • redline on Dec 17, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    erm…is it Carol or Coral? One is feminine and the other is…?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sparkoeng on Dec 17, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nazri on Dec 17, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    waa mazda using wheel cap instead of sport rim??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sutheshkumar on Dec 17, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    wah still got manufacturers using the whip style antenna. :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mazda 3 MPS on Dec 17, 2009 at 11:01 pm

    this car is plainly a suzuki alto. so its kind of….drab

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ong chin aun on Dec 17, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Just_Once on Dec 18, 2009 at 12:34 am

    Copy_cat is a new trend recently..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • celicazz on Dec 18, 2009 at 3:29 am

    its really a rebadged Daihatsu, I think… think of it, 600c.c…. and I think it is based on daihatsu new Mira…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Dec 18, 2009 at 6:34 am

    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….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Now every body like to copy Suzuki Alto for better fuel consumption :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mazda 3 MPS + PERODU on Dec 18, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    its much better than the proton savvy

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Qqaree on Dec 19, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    wanna buy one now..can i?? =D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • lazyf on Dec 19, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    the green one is nice!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • chiewwl on Dec 21, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    why the interior always look nicer than local cloned cars?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • budlee on Dec 22, 2009 at 4:15 am

    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..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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