OVERDRIVE

GULL-WING doors.
Mid-ship layout. All-plastic
body supported by skele-
ton-type monocoque frame.
Dual overhead cam engine
with inter-cooled tur-
bocharger and_ electronic
fuel injection:

Sound like a spec straight out
of an exotic sports car from Italy?
Guess again.

Even for those of you who at-
tended the Pacific International
Auto Show this week, you proba-
bly never spelled out the correct
car for this one. i

No, 1 wasn’t describing the
Lamborghini Diablo; I was refer-
ting to Mazda’s tiny yet eye-cat-
ching AZ-1 coupe which is. on
display at the show.

The specification that reads
“EXOTIC” is deceiving when you
consider how small the coupe real-
ly is. The AZ-! is 450 mm
shorter, 180 mm narrower, and
180 mm lower than the super-
petite Geo Metro hatchback, and
is propelled by a sushi-sized 657
cc engine (that is, 0.7 litre). Sold
in. Japan in the highly competitive
micro-mini car category, the
AZ-1- was introduced to the mar-
ket last fall.

Recause of the regulation in
Japan: that. governs — among

f radiator ‘tins. .
) 8. Test tadiator, pressure’ cep “aith -
"cap tester. © a :
“system for-internal and external’ +9. Check fan blades ; nd pulleys for
“alignment and damage. .
10. interriat and external inspection of: -
all’ hoses ; for.
deterioration. * Y
1. Check core plugs (where ness
"ble) for seepage... " ‘
2. Refill system with carrect Coolant.
and check for alr tocks.i° |
“13. Check condition and tension of
. drive belts with tension gauge.

Pressure check the ‘cooling °

. Check crankcase and ‘automatic
"transmission oil for watet content.”
‘Test ‘coolant \tharmostat : with

3) OR Sa a AS ON EEA STD AE

LING SYSTEM .

previews

Ford unveils slick Mach II];
Mazda tantalizes with AZ

other things — engine size, power
output, and body dimensions of

the micro-cars, it’s harder for the:

Japanese manufacturers to come
up with a unique, distinct vehicle
in this class of cars.

However, in recent years the
automakers there have been
bringing not-so-ordinary —mini-
coupes to the crowded market in
an attempt to increase showroom
traffic and improve the image of
the bite-sized cars.

The Honda Beat and Suzuki
Cappuccino, shown last year at
the Vancouver Auto Show, are
two more examples of unique
niche micro-vehicles.

Actually, the real reason for
bringing the AZ-1 wasn't to raise
awareness of such vehicles here,
but to show Mazda’s focus on en-
vironmental issues. The plastic
parts of the AZ-1 are easier to
recycle, thanks to the interna-
tionally accepted 1D codes marked
on all the plastic components
weighing more than 100 grams.

Mazda is also introducing the
25th anniversary edition models at.
the show, which have unique exte-
rior colors and features.

As expected, people stared and
gazed at the stunning fire-orange
Ford Mach III concept convert-
ible, described last week.

It’s obvious that Ford is inten-
tionally showing off this slick
coupe 10 months before the actual
introduction of the production
Mustang (which will borrow its
design from the Mach Ill) to —
hopefully — convince the buyers
to wait for it rather than buying
the just-debuted Chevrolet
Camaro and Pontiac Firebird duo.

Convertible models for both the
Camaro/Firebird and. yet-to-ar-
rive Mustang are also in
works,

The eighth generation Lincoln
Mark VIII coupe, introduced in
December, was also getting the
thumbs up from some of the show
visitors, as was Ford's smooth-
looking Probe.

GM?’s shark-like Cerv III, Geo
Tracker-based Californian “Hug-

See Convertible page 34

cracks

nd |

the .

Photo submitted

MAZDA'S AZ-1 is 450 mm shorter, 160 mm narrower, and 180 mm lower than the stiper-petite Geo
Metro hatchback, and is propelled by a sushi-sized 657 cc engine (that is, 0.7 litre).