Suzuki Cappuccino

Infobox Automobile
name=Suzuki Cappuccino


engine=657 cc DOHC I3, 64 hp (47 kW)
production=1991–1997
body_style=2-door roadster, kei car
layout=FMR layout
wheelbase=2060 mm (81.1 in)
length=3295 mm (129.7 in)
width=1395 mm (54.9 in)
weight=700 kg (1545 lb)

The Suzuki Cappuccino is a small 2-door, 2-seater hard top roadster produced by Suzuki Motor Corporation. The vehicle was designed to meet Kei car specifications for lower tax and insurance in Japan. Weighing just Auto kg|700|0, the Cappuccino is powered by a three-cylinder, all-alloy 657 cc DOHC engine (just under the 660 cc maximum displacement allowed for a Kei car). Its dimensions also conformed to Kei car regulations on length and width, being Auto mm|3295|1 long and Auto mm|1395|1 wide.

Front-rear weight distribution is claimed to be 50/50% when both seats are occupied. Layout is front mid-engined and rear-wheel drive.

Three removable roof panels mean that the car can be used as a closed coupé; T-top; targa; or, on retraction of the rear window and roll bar, a full convertible. Roof panels stow in the trunk, and the rear window/rollcage assembly retracts into the body behind the seats.

It was originally equipped with the F6A engine: later models were fitted with a K6A engine which was lighter and had chain-driven, rather than belt-driven, camshafts and more torque. Both are DOHC 12-valve, inline 3-cylinder engines that were turbocharged and intercooled. Power output was a claimed Convert|63|hp|kW|0|abbr=on for Kei car purposes.

The Cappuccino featured 4-wheel disc brakes, possibly the first production iteration of electric power-assisted steering, aluminium double wishbone suspension and rear wheel drive. Production began in 1991 and ceased in 1997. The Cappuccino's closest competitor of the time were the Autozam AZ-1, Honda Beat and the Daihatsu Leeza Spyder. (The Autozam AZ-1, Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino were together called the Sporty K-Car's ABC.)

The story

The early days

The dream of re-creating a sporting image for Suzuki began in 1987 and within two years the "project car" was shown for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show. Suzuki intentionally designed the Cappuccino just for the Japanese market, meeting the tax needs of the K-class: body length less than convert|3.3|m|in|1, body width not exceeding convert|1.4|m|in|1 and engine size less than 0.66 litre. There was never any intention to export the Cappuccino. Production of the Cappuccino started in October 1991 at the Kosai Plant. The car had the designation SX306, and the model identification (incorporated in the VIN) EA11R. The sales launch of the Cappuccino was November 1991 in Japan, with the advertising theme: "fulfilling one's dream of owning a stylish and very affordable 2 seater sportscar". The first two years (1991–92) saw 15,113 cars produced and 13,318 (or 88% of production) sold in Japan.

The UK (European) version

In 1991 Suzuki GB opened discussions with Suzuki Motor Corporation about launching the car in the United Kingdom and meeting the needs of British National Type Approval. It took 18 months of negotiation and technical co-operation between SMC and SGB to get the Suzuki Cappuccino type approved and homologated. There were 23 adaptations to the Japanese Cappuccino to conform to British NTA, with the work done at the Kosai Plant and at the Suzuki Import Centre. In October 1992 the Cappuccino had its first public viewing outside Japan, at the British International Motor Show. At the show, the Cappuccino won two prestigious IBCAM Design awards: "best sportscar under £20,000" and "best car of the show". In October 1993 the Cappuccino was officially launched in the UK with a price of £11,995. Due to the car's initial success in Japan, and the tight import quota of Japanese products to the UK, the original allocation of 1,500 cars was cut to 1,182. Such limited quantities dictated a streamlined colour choice: red and silver in the ratio 80:20. Between 1993–95 a total of 1,110 cars were registered in the UK, with the balance was sold to other Suzuki distributors across Europe: Germany, France, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The revised Cappuccino - EA21R

In 1995 tougher emission controls were set by the European Commission, which led to the unsold cars being registered by 30 September 1995; any unregistered after that date would have had to be re-homologated. Discussions took place between SMC and Suzuki distributors in Europe to assess and "value" the necessary changes for the Cappuccino to meet these new emission levels. The corporate decision was made not to proceed with a revised European version due to the vast expense involved and lack of economy of scale due to the limited production run. The European Cappuccino—the product of the SMC/SGB joint venture—was no more...and yet to become a true "classic" sportscar: limited in numbers, unlimited in appeal. The later specification (EA21R), introduced in 1995, had new, lighter engine with chain-driven camshafts, slightly increased torque, lighter wheels and an optional 3-speed automatic transmission with power steering. Both EA11R and EA21R (MT only) versions had optional "high specification" BA variants, which came with an airbag for the driver, ABS on all four wheels, a limited-slip differential and (in some cases) power-operated door mirrors. There were three limited editions of the EA11R, offering variations of colour and trim; the later two had power steering. Interest was still high in certain countries in Europe with personal imports of the EA11R and EA21R Cappuccino taking place in Germany and the Netherlands as well as the UK and Ireland. Production of the Cappuccino ceased in late 1997 as the Kosai factory was gearing up for another Suzuki vehicle, and sales came to an end in 1998. A total of 28,010 Cappuccino sports cars were produced. [ [http://www.suzuki-cappuccino.com/a_information/a_cappuccino/infocappuccinostory.php The Cappuccino Story] , Suzuki Cappuccino Owners Register for Enthusiasts (SCORE).]

Fiction

In "Initial D Fourth Stage", the Northern Saitama Alliance raced a red Cappuccino (with Sakamoto as its driver) in a desperate attempt to defeat Project D's Takumi Fujiwara and his Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. The Cappuccino had a massive advantage going downhill, but the driver was not fully able to take advantage of the lighter weight of his car, due to inexperience with the vehicle and poor weather conditions. The Cappuccino is the only Suzuki car to feature in the Initial D franchise thus far.

References

External links

* [http://www.suzuki-cappuccino.com/ Suzuki Cappuccino Owners Register for Enthusiasts (SCORE)]

* [http://www.cappuccinosport.com/ Suzuki Cappuccino Sport]

* [http://www.clubcappo.co.uk/ ClubCappo] —Cappuccino Owners Club

* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cappuccinocanada Canadian Cappuccino Owners Club] at Yahoo! Groups

* [http://www.suzuki-cappuccino.com/a_information/a_cappuccino/tech_spec.php Cappuccino Technical Specifications] at SCORE