This Suzuki Cappuccino is a classic example of a sports car in the Japanese Kei car segment, diminutive in its homeland and utterly tiny in comparison to most American vehicles.
The two-seat roadster is powered by a 657cc DOHC three-cylinder engine which was officially rated at 63 horsepower, though the seller claims that its output is likely closer to 100 horsepower. In either regard the small mill is more than enough to provide spritely acceleration to a car that weighs about 1,500 pounds.
The little Suzuki also offers a roof system that allows a driver to choose between a full hard top, a targa-style removable center panel, and a fully open convertible. It’s also likely to be a real head turner, both for its cuter-than-a-Miata looks, and its absolutely charming size. The main drawback for buyers here would seem to be the premium being charged for the Cappuccino’s rarity; it carries an OBO price of $15,900. For the discerning (and short) collector only.
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This tiny little truck is one of the first 4×4 salvos that Suzuki Motors fired into the American market. The tiny progenitor for such popular small SUVs as the Samurai and the Sidekick, the LJ20 had micro power with a go anywhere attitude.
This particular 1972 LJ is in remarkable condition considering its age and propensity for rust, with sound mechanicals and still wearing the shiny (if slightly jaundiced) factory paint. The owner claims that there are only about 25,000 miles on the 358cc two-cylinder motor, making it well able to still reach the dizzying heights of its 55 mph top speed. Despite its small engine we can only imagine that the lightweight, narrow track, and 4×4 setup make this Suzuki an absolute terror off-road.
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Suzuki has shown the latest version of its Kizashi concept line, the Kizashi 3, here at the New York Auto Show. The company tells us that this third iteration of the design is the closest to a production version, and is said to be the embodiment of Suzuki’s sports sedan vision for the North American market.
The low sedan is equipped with an advanced all-wheel-drive system called i-AWD, and is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 developed in conjunction with Suzuki’s motorsports programs. The motor’s 300 horsepower is managed with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shifters.
Have a look at Kizashi 3 in our gallery below and click through the jump to find Suzuki’s official press release.
Fans of late night comedy institution Saturday Night Livewill certainly recognize the tune to this novel YouTube ad from the “boyband sensation” Suzuki 4 Eva. The song is called “Suzuki With Shocks” and if there were more like it, we all just might be driving Suzuki’s right now.
Many thanks to Jeff Holland at Suzuki for the tip on this fine piece of craftsmanship.
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Suzuki is rolling out yet another Kizashi Concept at this month’s New York Auto Show. Suzuki unveiled the first Kizashi Concept at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show with a sport wagon, and then the Kizashi Concept 2 debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show as a sleek crossover. Now, the Kizashi Concept 3 is a sport sedan that has been rumored to explore the potential power of a V-8.
Suzuki says the complete series of Kizashi Concepts will be on display in New York. The Kizashi Concept 3 will be the closest to production-ready of the three, according to Suzuki.
We don’t have much more information at this time, but check back during the New York Auto Show for the full skinny on Suzuki’s upscale sedan concept.
Last week we brought you Consumer Reports’ Top Picks of 2008. Now, we’re letting you in on the worst 11. Chrysler takes a huge hit from Consumer Reports with four out of the bottom 11 belonging to the struggling automaker.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited bottoms out on the list, along with the Hummer H3. Both were cited for poor fuel economy and poor reliability. However, keep in mind that Consumer Reports does not take into the off-road ability of the vehicles. The Wrangler and Hummer are both championed as off-road vehicles, so, (maybe?) they didn’t get a fair shake.
It’s not very often that an automaker decides to show off a new vehicle by displaying multiple concepts at the same show. Suzuki did just that to show off the possible configurations of its coming Equator pickup. Each concept is designed to appeal to a different type of current Suzuki customer.
Suzuki is trying to get current motorcycle, ATV, or marine engine owners to use a Suzuki truck to tow or haul those toys on the weekend. Beneath the skin, the Equator is really a Nissan Frontier and shares engines, transmissions, and suspension design with the Nissan. We’re happy with the way the Nissan Frontier drives, so we’re looking forward to sampling a Suzuki Equator. Expect to see Equators on dealer lots this December.
Suzuki has seemingly gotten good value out of its pair of Kizashi concept cars, aimed at judging customer interest in the carmaker moving upmarket.
While the original Kizashi sought to provide a sporting sedan with diesel power, and the sequel aimed squarely at the premium wagon/crossover market, Kizashi 3 will be the first iteration to explore V-8 power. This third look at the Kizashi family will reportedly bow at this year’s New York Auto Show in March.
After the warm reviews that came following the Frankfurt and Tokyo debuts of the first concepts, Suzuki is said to be sufficiently emboldened to move ahead with plans for a 2009 launch of a production Kizashi. There’s no word yet on what form that production car would take, but if it’s anything like its progenitors, there could be a whole new reason to get excited about Suzuki.
(Refresh your memories of Kizashi and Kizashi 2 with our galleries below)
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We’ve heard some suggest that Suzuki’s Japanese-market Lapin (and the badge-engineered Mazda Spiano) were “retro-styled,” but until we saw DAMD’s take on the boxy kei car. With a few tweaks here and there, the tuner’s Ancel Lapin bears a remarkable resemblance to the classic Renault 4 hatchback.
We’ll give DAMD credit - they could have just slapped on a Renault grille and called it quits, but the Ancel Lapin goes a few steps further. The hood and front fenders are all-new, as are the side rub rails, cloned from late-model 4s, especially those in GTL trim. Other details, including the minute taillamp lenses and the baby-moon hubcaps, are also part of the conversion.
Sure, some proportions don’t sync up to the original, but overall, it’s nearly a dead ringer for the original 4. Click through the gallery for a photo of the inspiration, as well as more photos of DAMD’s tribute. Mangez vos cœurs, Renault fans.
Production assistant Steven J. Ewing thinks the Grand Vitara is not surprisingly quick in the way that the V-6 Toyota RAV4 is, but there’s still a good rush of power through the forward gears. To read what other WINDING ROAD staffers thought about this Suzuki SUV, follow the jump.
Meet the Suzuki Palette, the latest entry into Japan’s unique 660 cc minicar sector, a brand new mini-minivan that goes on sale in Tokyo today.
If the Palette already seems slightly familiar, it’s because it was previewed at the Tokyo Show as a counter to Daihatsu’s new Tanto (it’s like Camry vs Accord, only in miniature).
Aimed at 30-40 year old people with families, the Palette comes with a long wheelbase, low, floor, tall roofline, lounge-like interior and two big powered rear doors, all contained within the standardized 134-inch size limit for 660 cc minis in Japan. Oh yes, Suzuki also claims you can carry a 26-inch bicycle in the back.
No, the three cylinder Palette’s not coming anywhere near America (or should it?). But if you have an odd $10,635-$15,940 to spare, it can be all yours in Japan.
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