The Suzuki Alto Lapin, usually called the Lapin, is a five-door kei car made by Suzuki for the Japanese market since 2002. It is based on the Alto and its name comes from the French word for rabbit, which explains the rabbit-head badge on the grille.
Suzuki Alto Lapin at a glance
| Introduced | 22 January 2002 |
|---|---|
| Market | Japan only |
| Body | five-door kei hatchback |
| Based on | Suzuki Alto |
| Name | French for rabbit |
| First generation | HE21S, 2002–2008 |
| Second generation | HE22S, 2008–2015 |
| Third generation | HE33S/HE93S, from 3 June 2015 |
| First engine | K6A 660 cc, 54 PS |
| Turbo | 60 PS, added October 2002 |
| Gearbox | four-speed automatic, CVT from 2008 |
| Awards | Good Design Award 2008 |
History of the Suzuki Alto Lapin
First generation
The Lapin was previewed as a prototype at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show and went on sale on 22 January 2002 in G, X, Z and X2 trims, the last with a two-tone finish. Power came from Suzuki’s naturally aspirated 660 cc K6A with 54 PS, driving the front or all four wheels through a four-speed automatic. A 60 PS turbo with an optional five-speed manual followed in October 2002, a canvas-top version in February 2003, and the sporty SS with round headlamps and a MOMO steering wheel in September 2003. Series updates ran through 2007. Mazda sold the same car as the Spiano until 2008.
Second generation
The 2008 car switched to a CVT and dropped the manual gearbox; Mazda did not take this generation. The Chocolat G of June 2013, with round headlamps and tail lamps, won a Good Design Award that October.
Third generation
The current Lapin was released on 3 June 2015 and is powered by a 660 cc engine of 52 PS and 60 Nm through a CVT, with front- or four-wheel drive. In June 2022 the range was facelifted and a derivative called the Lapin LC appeared on 17 June 2022 with a front end inspired by the 1960s LC10 Fronte 360; the LC was facelifted again in 2025. A mild-hybrid R06D version arrived in July 2025.
Design and features
- Rabbit identity: no Suzuki S badge on the nose, but a rabbit-head grille badge and a chromed Lapin logo at the back.
- Aimed at women: the boxy shape proved popular with female buyers, and most third-generation owners are women aged 20 to 30.
- Kei economy: up to 26.2 km/l in the most efficient third-generation form.
- Retro special: the Lapin LC of 2022 revived 1960s Fronte styling.
Suzuki Alto Lapin versions
- First generation (2002–2008): G, X, Z and X2, plus turbo, canvas top and SS versions.
- Mazda Spiano (2002–2008): an OEM twin with a different nose.
- Second generation (2008–2015): CVT-only, with the Chocolat G of 2013.
- Lapin LC (2022): retro-styled derivative inspired by the Fronte 360.
The Lapin is based on the Suzuki Alto and shares its kei-class layout with the Suzuki Kei. More Suzukis are in the Suzuki collection.
Video: SUZUKI LAPIN รถน่ารัก สไตล์ญี่ปุ่น
Video by โลกรถยนต์ on YouTube.
Sources
- Suzuki Alto Lapin, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, trims, awards
