Suzuki Introduces New Alto Lapin in Japan

TOKYO - November 26, 2008: For more than six years, Suzuki's boxy kei Alto Lapin has been a hit with young Japanese female buyers. Now the second generation went on sale in Japan.

There's no radical change in the shape - it looks similar to the Nissan Cube.

The Alto Lapin is based on the platform of the new Wagon R, which has just been elected Car of the Year in Japan. There's a new suspension, bigger 14" tires but the basic, kei car dimensions are still the same: Length: 3390 mm, Width: 1475 mm, Height: 1510 mm.

It is powered by a 660 cc VVT engine, capable of 54 hp. There's a turbocharged version with a mean :) 64 hp. Fuel consumption is a meagre 4 liter per 100 km.

(For those who are not familiar with the term 'kei car' it means a sub-660 cc Japanese car which is eligible for tax breaks and a free parking space in Tokyo)