Suzuki · 1991–1998

Suzuki Cappuccino

The Suzuki Cappuccino (Japanese: スズキ・カプチーノ, Suzuki Kapuchīno) is a sports car produced by the Japanese company Suzuki from 1991 to 1998. It is a two-seater roadster with a detachable hardtop that is designed to meet Japanese kei car regulations.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Description

The vehicle was designed to meet Kei car specifications for lower tax and insurance in Japan. Weighing 725 kg (1,598 lb), the Cappuccino is powered by a turbocharged, three-cylinder, 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 3,295 mm (129.7 in) long and 1,395 mm (54.9 in) 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. The hood, roof, roll bar and lower front guard panels are aluminium. 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 (taking almost all the luggage space), and the rear window/rollcage assembly retracts into the body behind the seats. Unlike many convertibles of the time, the rear window is glass and wraparound, with demisting elements. An unusual option was the Winter package (identified by a "W" suffix in the model code); this included a heavy duty battery and special "snow shovelling" windshield wipers. 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 three-cylinder engines that were turbocharged and intercooled. Power output was a claimed 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp) at 6500 rpm so as to not exceed the maximum power allowed for Kei cars. The initial Cappuccino featured all-wheel disc brakes and rear-wheel drive. Later versions in Japan had an early production iteration of speed-sensing electric power-assisted steering and aluminium double wis

History

The dream of recreating 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 Kei-class: body length less than 3.3 m (10.8 ft), body width not exceeding 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and engine size less than 0.66 L. There was originally no intention to export the Cappuccino. Production of the Cappuccino started in October 1991 at the Kosai Plant. The car had the internal 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 with 13,318 (or 88% of production) sold in Japan. In addition to the European export model discussed below, the Cappuccino was regularly available in Hong Kong, and there was also a rare "General Export" market model. UK/EU 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. After 18 months of negotiation and technical co-operation between SMC and SGB, the Suzuki Cappuccino type was approved and homologated, with 23 adaptations required for the vehicle to conform to British NTA. The work was performed at the Kosai Plant and at the Suzuki Import Centre. In October 1992, the Cappuccino's first public viewing outside Japan occurred at the British International Motor Show, where it won two IBCAM Design awards: Best Sportscar Under £20,000 and Best Car of the Show. In October 1993, the Cappuccino was officiall

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Suzuki Cappuccino
Manufacturer: Suzuki
Production: 1991–1998
Assembly: Kosai, Shizuoka, Japan
Class: Kei car; Sports car
Body style: 2-door roadster
Layout: Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine: 657 cc F6A DOHC turbo I3, 657 cc K6A DOHC turbo I3
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 2060 mm
Length: 3295 mm
Width: 1395 mm
Height: 1185 mm
Kerb weight: 725 kg

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2140029CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_CappuccinoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371017752 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Suzuki_Cappuccino_front_20090514.jpgAttribution · Photo: Rudolf Stricker · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.