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Suzuki K-car platform
Debut: see below
Maker: Suzuki
Predecessor:
see below
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| The
above report was last updated on 23 Oct
2008. All Rights Reserved. |
Alto (Japan)
Debut: 2004
Predecessor: Alto (1998)
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A boxy profile meets an arc-shape
bonnet make it somewhat like a modern Citroen 2CV...
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Domestic
version of Alto is more design-led than the international version. A
boxy profile meets an arc-shape bonnet make it somewhat like a modern
Citroen 2CV. Its target customers are mainly young female, so the
interior is finished in warm colors like pink and light brown. The car
falls into Kei-car category, which means it is 125 mm narrower and 100
mm shorter than the international Alto. However, its cabin doesn’t feel
much smaller, thanks to the same wheelbase, a taller roof and squarer
profile. Larger windows contribute to a light and airy ambience. That
said, Kei-car buyers may find it lacks the flexible seating arrangement
and countless of storage spaces that come standard on its rivals.
The domestic Alto provides only one engine – Suzuki’s 0.66-liter DOHC
three-cylinder, which outputs 54 horsepower and modest torque.
Inevitably, it feels breathless to climb incline, especially if you opt
for the 3-speed automatic. Like other K-cars, it is best used in urban
area, where its small turning circle and ease of parking excels. We
don’t talk of back-road handling or refinement over rough surfaces
because these make no sense to a car designed for cities in Japan.
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| The
above report was last updated on 23 Oct
2008. All Rights Reserved. |
MR Wagon
Debut: 2006
Predecessor: MR Wagon (2001)
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Function-wise, MR Wagon is very close
to Wagon R...
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You
may question the need to create MR Wagon. Suzuki has already had a lot
of K-cars, all base on the same underpinning. Function-wise, MR Wagon
is very close to Wagon R. It emphasizes on spacious interior and
versatile seating arrangement like Wagon R and employ a similar tall
body profile. However, what separates it from its sister is a softer
and more elegant design, which may appeal to office ladies. Once sit on
it, you will notice another difference – the floor and seat level are
higher than regular hatchbacks, very much like a minivan. In fact, MR
Wagon wants to deliver this minivan feel, no wonder the dashboard
design also looks like that of minivans. Materials and equipments are
higher grade than Wagon R. In short, Wagon R aims at the mass market
while MR Wagon biases towards the higher end market.
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However, minivan-style interior and
commanding view are unique.
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| The
above report was last updated on 23 Oct
2008. All Rights Reserved. |
Cervo
Debut: 2006
Predecessor: no
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Sportiest Suzuki K-car is still
limited by its origin.
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Among
all the derivatives of Suzuki's K-car platform, Cervo is the most
sporting. Suzuki reserves all the sporting ingredients to this car,
such as an aggressive exterior design, a black interior with bucket
seats and fake alloy door handles, stiffer suspensions, quicker
steering and a direct-injection version of Suzuki's 0.66-liter
turbocharged 3-pot engine. The latter produces 10 percent more
mid-range torque than the standard turbocharged engine used in other
Suzuki K-cars. However, if not bounded by the K-car regulations, we
would always prefer a larger engine and a wider bodyshell to optimize
performance and handling. Unless you build a mid-engined 2-seater like
the old Honda Beat, it is nearly impossible to create an exciting hot
hatch out of a K-car platform, especially one that underpins Alto,
Wagon R, MR Wagon etc. |
| The
above report was last updated on 23 Oct
2008. All Rights Reserved. |
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