Suzuki Alto Lapin: Difference between revisions

Kei hatchback produced by Suzuki

Motor vehicle

Suzuki Alto Lapin
Manufacturer	Suzuki
Also called	Mazda Spiano
Production	2002–present 2002–2008 (Mazda Spiano)
Assembly	Japan: Kosai, Shizuoka
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
Engine	657 cc inline-3 dohc 40 kW 657 cc inline-3 turbo dohc 44 kW
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual CVT
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 Alto 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]

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 grille.

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.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2022)

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

A derivative model called Lapin LC was released on 17 June 2022; it features a redesigned front fascia inspired by the 1960s LC10 Fronte 360.^[3][4]

This retro-styled kei car is powered by a 660 cc petrol engine producing 52 PS (38 kW) and 60 N⋅m (44 lb⋅ft) 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.^[5]