Suzuki Alto Lapin

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Suzuki Lapin
2002 Suzuki Alto-Lapin 01.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Suzuki
Also calledMazda Spiano
Production2002–present
2002–2008 (Mazda Spiano)
AssemblyJapan: Kosai, Shizuoka
Body and chassis
Class Kei car
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Wagon R
Powertrain
Engine 657 cc inline-3 dohc 40 kW
657 cc inline-3 turbo dohc 44 kW
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,360 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 weight 780 kg (1,720 lb)-850 kg (1,874 lb)

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.

Contents

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)

SPIANO.JPG
Mazda Spiano
Lapin.JPG
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.

Second-generation HE22S (2008–2015)

Second-generation Suzuki Lapin AltoLapin2nd.jpg
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. Unlike its predecessor, there is no longer a Mazda Spiano counterpart.

Third-generation HE33S (2015–present)

2015 Suzuki Alto Lapin.jpg
Third-generation Suzuki Alto Lapin
Suzuki ALTO Lapin LC L 2WD (5BA-HE33S-NSLE-4) front.jpg
Suzuki Alto Lapin LC
Suzuki ALTO Lapin LC X 2WD (5BA-HE33S-NSXE-M4) interior.jpg
Suzuki ALTO Lapin LC X 2WD
Suzuki Alto Lapin, rear left side (Singapore) Suzuki Alto Lapin, rear left side (Singapore).jpg
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]

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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".