Suzuki Alto Lapin Explained

Manufacturer:	Suzuki
Suzuki Lapin
Aka:	Mazda Spiano
Production:	2002–present 2002–2008 (Mazda Spiano)
Assembly:	Japan: Kosai, Shizuoka
Body Style:	5-door hatchback
Layout:	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Class:	Kei car
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:	23601NaN1
Length:	33951NaN1
Width:	14751NaN1
Height:	14951NaN1–15051NaN1
Weight:	7800NaN0-8500NaN0

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]

Sales

Year	Japan^[5]
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

Web site: Global Autoindex . 17 February 2007. (technical data in infoboxes)

External links

Notes and References

Web site: Small car [ALTO LAPIN] ]. 2023-01-08 . Good Design Award.
Web site: 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～ .
Web site: Suzuki's Newest Retro-Styled Kei Car is Ridiculously Charming . 19 June 2022 .
Web site: Suzuki Alto Lapin LC Debuts as Impossibly Cute Kei Car with Retro Looks .
Web site: 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 . 2024-04-12 . id-information.co.jp . ja.