What the car is and where it came from
A Japanese-built compact car made by Mazda from 1971 to 1978. It was sold globally as the Mazda 808 or 818 where Peugeot held trademark rights over three-digit numbers with a middle zero.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It uses an inline-four engine, paired only with a four-speed manual transmission. Drivers shift gears manually. The car comes in coupé, sedan, and station wagon forms — each with front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout implied by its era and segment, though not stated in sources.
What it gets right
It offers three body styles — coupé, sedan, station wagon — giving buyers choice without platform fragmentation. It upgrades engine capacity mid-cycle (1.5 L to 1.6 L in November 1973), responding to market demand before regulation forced change.
What it does not
It does not offer automatic transmission, rotary engines, all-wheel drive, or any powertrain beyond inline-four cylinders. It does not claim performance figures, handling traits, weight, or chassis details.
What it changed
It gave Mazda a larger, more upscale compact offering alongside the smaller Familia — a strategic widening of the brand’s footprint during a period when fuel economy began to dictate buyer priorities.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for someone studying how Japanese automakers segmented their line-ups in the 1970s. It is not for someone seeking driving dynamics, engineering novelty, or cultural symbolism — none are attested.
Is it worth your time
Yes, if you care about how Mazda positioned itself between economy and aspiration in the early 1970s. No, if you seek technical innovation, performance data, or driver engagement claims — none appear in the material.