The Mazda R360 is a kei car manufactured and marketed by Mazda as the company's first passenger car — a two-door, four-seat coupé. Introduced in 1960, the R360 featured a 1,760 mm (69.3 in) wheelbase, weighed 380 kg (838 lb) and was powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled 356 cc V-twin engine producing 16 PS (12 kW)[1] and 22 N⋅m (16 lb⋅ft) of torque. The car was capable of 84 km/h (52 mph)[2] and featured a 4-speed manual or two-speed automatic transmission.[1] The suspension, front and rear, was rubber "springs" and torsion bars.[citation needed]

Mazda R360 Coupé[1]
Overview
ManufacturerMazda
Production1960–1966
AssemblyHiroshima Assembly, Hiroshima, Japan
Body and chassis
ClassKei car
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutRR layout
Powertrain
Engine356 cc V-twin
Transmission4-speed manual
2-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Length2,980 mm (117.3 in)
Width1,290 mm (50.8 in)
Height1,290 mm (50.8 in)
Curb weight380 kg (838 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorMazda P360

Within a few years of introducing the R360, Mazda had captured much of the lightweight (kei car) market in Japan. The R360 was augmented by the Mazda P360 "Carol" two-door and four-door sedan in 1962. Production of the R360 lasted for six years.

V-twin engine, Mazda R360 Coupé

Specification

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There were two variants of the Mazda R360, officially known as KRBB and KRBC.[3] Both variants were very similar visually, however the first generation, KRBB came with a 4-speed manual transmission, whereas the second generation KRBC came with a 2-speed "TORQ DRIVE" automatic transmission.

 
Mazda R360 "TORQ DRIVE" emblem


Mazda R360 Performance[4]

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Maximum Speed Minimum Turning Radius Fuel Consumption (with 2 passengers) Braking Distance
95km/h (85km/h) 4.0m 32km/L (25km/L) 13m(50km/h)

Engine[5]

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Type Bore x Stroke Displacement Compression Ratio Maximum BHP Maximum Torque
Forced Air-cooled,2-Cylinder,4-Cycle,90degree V 60 x 63mm 356cc 8.0 16ps/5300rpm 2.2kgm/4000rpm



Interior and exterior colours

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Exterior

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The standard Mazda R360 came in 3 different exterior whole-body colours; Opal Green, Maroon Rouge and Somerset Blue. [6]

The non-standard Deluxe Mazda R360 came in multi colour variants; Blue and Cream and Red and Cream. [7]

Interior

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For the interior of the Mazda R360, the official colour choices were Red or Blue. These colour options were available for the seats, carpet and inner door panels.[8]

B360 Pickup

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The B360 was a pickup truck bodystyle based on parts of the R360 Coupé. It used the same 356 cc engine, but in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Like most pickups, it used a rigid rear axle and leaf spring suspension. The engine was replaced with the Carol's 358 cc I4 in 1964, and the B360 was replaced by the Mazda E360 in 1967.

A larger B600 pickup was introduced for the export market. It used a 577 cc version of the Mazda V-twin.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mazda R360 Coupe". [240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology]. Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  2. ^ Dimartino, Marco (2020-03-11). "Mazda R360 Coupe: la storia di successo della prima autovettura" [Mazda R360 Coupe: the success story of the first passenger car]. Quotidiano Motori (in Italian). H Fusion Media & Communications Limited. Archived from the original on 2020-10-12.
  3. ^ "Mazda R360 - Specification". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  4. ^ "Mazda R360 - Specification". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  5. ^ "Mazda R360 - Specification". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  6. ^ "Mazda R360 - Colours". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  7. ^ "Mazda R360 - Colours". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  8. ^ "Mazda R360 - Colours". www.mazdar360.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
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