Mazda Chantez
The Mazda Chantez (chassis code KMAA) is a two-door kei car that was introduced by Mazda in July 1972. The Chantez had a longer wheelbase at 2,200 mm (86.6 in) than most of its competitors and featured the powerful two-stroke "AA" engine also seen in the Porter. With 35 PS (26 kW; 35 bhp), top speed was 115 km/h (71 mph) and the 400 m (0.2 mi) sprint was dispatched in a sprightly 20.6 seconds.[1] In more recent testing of a 1972 GF II, 0–100 km/h came up in 35.8 seconds.[2] The engine was installed longitudinally powering the rear wheels, and the spare tire was installed next to the engine on the right side.[3][4]
| Mazda Chantez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | July 1972–April 1976 |
| Assembly | Hiroshima Assembly, Hiroshima, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Kei car |
| Body style | 2-door sedan |
| Layout | FR |
| Related | Mazda Chantez EV Concept |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 359 cc AA I2 two-stroke |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,200 mm (86.6 in) |
| Length | 2,995 mm (117.9 in) |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51.0 in) |
| Height | 1,290 mm (50.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 490 kg (1,080 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mazda Carol |
The name "chantez" is second-person plural present indicative of chanter, which in French means "to sing".
Originally, the Chantez had been planned to use a single-rotor Wankel engine, but the other Kei manufacturers considered this unfair and blocked Mazda's plans. As a result of not being able to build the car they had originally planned, Mazda lost interest in the Kei class and sales halted without a replacement in 1976,[1] on the eve of new Kei car regulations. Mazda did not market another Kei passenger car until 1989 with a reintroduction of the Carol, which was a rebadged Suzuki Alto, and to this day still choose not to make their own engines for the Kei class.
Equipment levels ranged from the lowest spec L (less chrome, body colored bumpers and B-pillars), via the LX, GL, GF, and GL II to the top of the line GF II, which featured a sports interior, radial tires, and available two-tone paint.[5]
In late 1974, anticipating a changing law at the turn of the year, the trunklid and front bumper were modified to fit larger-size license plates.
References
- Rees, Chris (1995). Microcar Mania. Minster Lovell & New Yatt, Oxfordshire, UK: Bookmarque Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 1-870519-18-3.
- 360cc: Nippon 軽自動車 Memorial 1950→1975 [Nippon Kei Car Memorial 1950-1975]. Tokyo: Yaesu Publishing. 2007. p. 123. ISBN 978-4-86144-083-0.
- Images of 1975 Mazda Chantez
- Specifications on Mazda Chantez
- Car Graphic: Car Archives Vol. 5, '70s Japanese Cars. Tokyo: Nigensha. 2007. p. 90. ISBN 978-4-544-09175-5.