Suzuki Alto Lapin
| Suzuki Lapin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
| Also called | Mazda Spiano |
| Production | 2002–present 2002–2008 (Mazda Spiano) |
| Assembly | Japan: 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) |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in) |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Height | 1,495 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.
The Lapin has a very distinctive, boxy shape, that 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)
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 grille.
Second-generation HE22S (2008–2015)
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.
- 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)
The third-generation Alto 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]
This retro-styled kei car is powered by a 660cc gasoline engine producing 51 hp and 60 Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It is available in both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations. The Lapin LC measures 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width, and 1,525 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,460 mm. In its most efficient configuration, it achieves an average fuel consumption of up to 26.2 km/L. The pricing for the Lapin LC starts at ¥1,251,800 and goes up to ¥1,646,700.[5]
Sales
| Year | Japan[6] |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 72,057 |
| 2003 | 85,040 |
| 2004 | 68,911 |
| 2005 | 55,806 |
| 2006 | 46,746 |
| 2007 | 31,391 |
| 2008 | 28,893 |
| 2009 | 40,947 |
| 2010 | 40,545 |
| 2011 | 32,178 |
| 2012 | 40,841 |
| 2013 | 43,181 |
| 2014 | 40,421 |
| 2015 | 35,905 |
| 2016 | 35,299 |
| 2017 | 30,161 |
| 2018 | 27,927 |
| 2019 | 26,546 |
| 2020 | 25,011 |
| 2021 | 25,865 |
| 2022 | 29,482 |
| 2023 | 28,268 |
References
- ^ "Small car [ALTO LAPIN]". Good Design Award. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "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～".
- ^ "Suzuki's Newest Retro-Styled Kei Car is Ridiculously Charming". 19 June 2022.
- ^ "Suzuki Alto Lapin LC Debuts as Impossibly Cute Kei Car with Retro Looks".
- ^ "Could something like the 2022 Suzuki Alto Lapin convince Pinoys to downsize?". www.topgear.com.ph. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "スズキ ラパン 新車販売台数推移/売れ行き(生産台数)と生産状況は？生産工場も - 株式会社アイディーインフォメーション" [Suzuki Lapin new car sales trends/sales (production numbers) and production status? production factory too]. id-information.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- "Global Autoindex". Retrieved 17 February 2007. (technical data in infoboxes)