In the sports car realm, size is not everything. Despite its small size, the Suzuki Cappuccino is a vehicle that stands out from the crowd, thanks to its unique design and legendary performance. Read on to find out what makes this tiny sports car such an impressive machine.
The Suzuki Cappuccino
The Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R) is a two-seater, kei-class roadster produced by Suzuki Motor Corporation between 1991 and 1998. The name “Cappuccino” was chosen for its resemblance to the coffee-based drink, with its white body and brown soft-top convertible roof. The car first went on sale in Japan in 1991, before enjoying a trickle of success in sales across Europe and the United Kingdom over the following years.
The Tiny Size of the Suzuki Cappuccino
The Suzuki Cappuccino is famously small – barely larger than the average hatchback. The dimensions are as follows:
• Length: 3645mm
• Width: 1490mm
• Height: 1180mm
• Weight: 830kg
The Cappuccino’s compact size also extends to its engine, with a tiny 0.7L, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine tucked under the bonnet and producing an impressive 64kW of power.
Cappuccino Slight Adjustments and Updates
In 1993, Suzuki made slight adjustments and updates to the Cappuccino, tweaking and improving its performance output.
These adjustments included:
• Reduced steering-wheel turning circle for greater maneuverability
• Upgrades to the body’s suspension
• A catalytic converter for slightly improved emissions
• Several styling updates
Powering the Cappuccino: The Turbocharged 3-Cylinder Engine
The main component responsible for the Suzuki Cappuccino’s performance is its tiny 0.7L, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine. This motor is capable of producing up to 64 kW of power and 98Nm of torque, allowing the Cappuccino to reach a top speed of 172km/h – not bad for a car so small!
The Performance of the Suzuki Cappuccino
At its heart, the Cappuccino is a fun and spirited driving machine – despite its size, it is capable of some truly impressive performance. It responds excellently to sudden acceleration, has strong cornering ability and good braking. It’s perfectly suited for nipping around town, but it is also perfectly capable of more serious performance driving.
What Makes the Suzuki Cappuccino Unique?
The answer to this question is twofold – both its unique design and its incredible performance give the Suzuki Cappuccino an edge over other sports cars.
Design-wise, its unique dimensions and quirky style make it an eye-catching drive – it manages to both look and act like a much bigger, more powerful car. It also has a soft-top convertible roof for when you’d like to enjoy the full open-air experience.
In terms of performance, the Cappuccino certainly punches above its weight, with great handling and strong acceleration. On top of this, it is remarkably fuel-efficient and capable of achieving over 13km per litre of fuel.
A Brief Look at the Cappuccino’s Track Record
The Suzuki Cappuccino has achieved some notable successes over its production life. It was selected as one of the best Kei cars by Car and Driver and stormed to victory in the 1993 FIA World Rally Championship. It set a Guinness world record for the ‘Longest time driving around a car park’ in 1996 and was selected as one of the most popular cars of the 1990s by Japan’s Car Graphic magazine.
The Suzuki Cappuccino is a unique and remarkable car, and it stands out from the pack with its impressive performance and unique styling. Despite its size, it’s capable of some truly impressive performance, and its reputation as a fun and spirited car is well deserved. This tiny vehicle definitely packs a punch, and it’s an experience to be savoured!
