Mazda 100th anniversary quiz

Round 1: The Foundations of Mazda

1. What was Mazda’s original name?

2. In which Japanese city is Mazda’s global headquarters based?

3. What was name of Mazda’s first four-wheeled passenger car?

4. The world’s first mass-produced rotary-engined passenger car is the Mazda Cosmo Sport, but what year was it introduced?

5. Mazda UK was established as an official National Sales Centre in 2001, who is the current Managing Director?

Round 2: Technology & Innovation

6. What is the official name for the last Mazda engine, which featured in the RX-8?

7. In 2019, Mazda launched the world’s first spark-controlled compression ignition petrol engine, but on what car?

8. Which of these Mazda models featured a Miller Cycle 2.3-litre V6 petrol engine?

9. Mazda models feature a straight body frame in a continuous configuration from front to rear to save weight and increase overall rigidity. We call this our ‘Skyactiv’ bodyshell. Which model of Mazda was the first to use it?

10. In 1979, an American motoring journalist travelled to Mazda Corporation HQ and drew a sketch of a car that he proposed Mazda should consider producing. 10 years later, that car was launched as the Mazda MX-5. What the journalist’s name?

Round 3: Design

11. What name is given to the finishing tool that Mazda uses to smooth metal body panels as they exit the metal press? 

12. Mazda’s current design language, ‘KODO’, was introduced in 2010. Upon which concept car did it make its debut? 

13. Who is the current design director of Mazda Motors Europe?

14. Which of these is not an element of Mazda design?

15. Which material does Mazda insist on building design models out of? 

Round 4: Motorsport

16. In 1991, Mazda made history by becoming the first and, to-date, only manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a rotary-engined race car. What was the name of the car?

17. Which of these racing series has Mazda not raced in?

18. In 1968, Mazda entered international motorport, but which race marked their debut?

19. Which of these organisations has never sponsored Mazda in motorsport?

20. Which British racing driver currently competes for Mazda Motorsport in the IMSA Series alongside Oliver Jarvis, driving the Mazda RT24-P?

Round 5: Rare and unusual Mazdas

21. In 1989, Mazda launched a new marque which introduced the world to the AZ-1, a gull-winged sports kei car. What was the marque?

22. Which of these is a special edition of MX-5?

23. A museum in Ausberg, Germany, holds the world’s largest private collection of classic Mazda models available for public viewing. What is the museum’s name?

24. Which of these Mazda models was not offered as a convertible? 

25. Familia and Protégé are alternative nameplates for which Mazda model?