Suzuki Alto Lapin

The Suzuki Lapin is a kei car with a five-door hatchback body, manufactured since 2002 by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and was also marketed in Japan only by Mazda as Mazda Spiano under an OEM agreement through their Autozam stores until 2008. It is based on Suzuki's popular Alto kei car.

Suzuki Lapin
Overview
ManufacturerSuzuki
Also calledMazda Spiano
Production2002–present
2002–2008 (Mazda Spiano)
AssemblyJapan: Kosai, Shizuoka
Body and chassis
ClassKei car
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
RelatedSuzuki Alto, Suzuki Wagon R
Powertrain
Engine657 cc inline-3 dohc 40 kW
657 cc inline-3 turbo dohc 44 kW
Transmission4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,360 mm (92.9 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,495 mm (58.9 in)–1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Curb weight780 kg (1,720 lb)-850 kg (1,874 lb)

The Lapin has a very distinctive, boxy shape, that apparently proved popular with female buyers. The name "Lapin" stems from the French word for "rabbit", and the car sports rabbit-head badges. The Mazda version has differences concerning some styling details, including a different front end.

The Alto Lapin was awarded the 2008 Japanese Good Design Award.[1]

First-generation HE21S (2002–2008)
Mazda Spiano
Suzuki Lapin facelift

The first-generation Alto Lapin was introduced in January 2002 with three trims, "G","X" and "X2". The car is powered by the Suzuki's K6A kei car engine, 0.66 L naturally aspirated (40 kW / 54 hp) with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The default transmission is a four-speed automatic.

  • In October 2002, Suzuki launched the "Turbo". It has a turbocharged 44 kW (60 hp) motor and a five-speed manual option.
  • In September 2003, the series II model was introduced and two new versions "SS" and "L" were added.
  • In October 2004, the series III model was introduced and "L" discontinued.
  • In December 2005, the series IV model was introduced and the canvas top version was discontinued.
  • In April 2006, the series V model introduced and round-shape headlamps "L" added."X2" version discontinued.
  • In May 2007, the series VI model introduced and received new shape front grill.

Second-generation HE22S (2008–2015)
Second-generation Suzuki Lapin

The second-generation Alto Lapin was introduced in November 2008 with four trims: "G", "X", "T" and "T L package". CVT was added and manual transmission was dropped.

  • In May 2010, all models got CVT and a four-speed auto was discontinued.
  • In August 2010, the series II model was introduced.
  • In May 2012, the series III model was introduced.

Third-generation HE33S (2015–present)
Third-generation Suzuki Alto Lapin
Suzuki Alto Lapin LC
Suzuki ALTO Lapin LC X 2WD
Suzuki Alto Lapin, rear left side (Singapore)

The third-generation Lapin was released on 3 June 2015.[2]

The derivative model called Lapin LC was released on 17 June 2022 with LC10 Fronte 360-inspired front fascia.[3][4]

References
  1. "Small car [ALTO LAPIN]". Good Design Award. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  2. "スズキ株式会社 四輪製品ニュース 2015年6月3日 スズキ、軽乗用車 新型「アルト ラパン」を発売～こだわりのデザイン、女性にうれしい機能と装備を採用～".
  3. "Suzuki's Newest Retro-Styled Kei Car is Ridiculously Charming". 19 June 2022.
  4. "Suzuki Alto Lapin LC Debuts as Impossibly Cute Kei Car with Retro Looks".
  • "Global Autoindex". Retrieved 17 February 2007. (technical data in infoboxes)
  • The article incorporates text translated from the corresponding Japanese Wikipedia articles on the Suzuki Alto Lapin as of 17 February 2007.
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