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 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 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)
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.
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]
Sales
References
^"Small car [ALTO LAPIN]". Good Design Award. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
^"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".
^"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)
External links
Suzuki Lapin at the official manufacturer's site (in Japanese)
