Mazda · 2002–present

Mazda Spiano

The Suzuki Alto Lapin (Japanese: スズキアルトラパン, Hepburn: Suzuki Aruto Rapan) (or simply called Suzuki Lapin) is a kei car with a five-door hatchback body, manufactured since 2002 by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and it is based on Suzuki's popular Alto kei car. The name "Lapin" stems from the French word for "rabbit", and the car sports rabbit-head badges.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Overview

First prototype was unveiled at 2001 Tokyo Motor Show as the same name. The Lapin has a very distinctive, boxy shape, that proved popular with female buyers. In the development of the third generation, the majority of users are young women aged between 20 and 30 years. The Alto Lapin was awarded the 2008 Japanese Good Design Award. In first generation Alto Lapin, it was also marketed by Mazda as Mazda Spiano under an OEM agreement through their Autozam dealerships until 2008. The Mazda version has differences concerning some styling details, including a different front end.

First-generation (HE21S; 2002–2008)

The first-generation Alto Lapin was introduced on 22 January 2002 with four trims, G, X, Z, and X2. The top grade X2 feature a two-tone colour. The car is powered by the Suzuki's K6A kei car engine, 0.66 L naturally aspirated (40 kW / 54 hp) with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All grades were paired by a four-speed automatic transmission. In October 2002, Suzuki launched the "Turbo". It has a turbocharged 44 kW (60 hp) motor and a 5-speed manual option. In February 2003, a canvas top version was available. Only available in 4-speed automatic option. In September 2003, the series II model was introduced and two new versions "SS" and "L" were added. The SS features a sportier design, round headlights, and MOMO steering wheel. In October 2004, the series III model was introduced and "L" discontinued. In December 2005, the series IV model was introduced and the canvas top version was discontinued. In April 2006, the series V model introduced and round-shape headlamps "L" added. The X2 grade was discontinued. In May 2007, the series VI model introduced and received new shape front grille.

Second-generation (HE22S; 2008–2015)

The second-generation Alto Lapin was introduced in November 2008 with four trims: "G", "X", "T" and "T L package". CVT was added and manual transmission was dropped. Unlike its predecessor, there is no longer a Mazda Spiano counterpart. In May 2010, all models got CVT and a four-speed auto was discontinued. In August 2010, the series II model was introduced. In May 2012, the series III model was introduced. In 2013, the Lapin Chocolat G features a round headlights and tailights was added.

Third-generation (HE33S/HE93S; 2015–present)

The third-generation Alto Lapin was released on 3 June 2015. A derivative model called Lapin LC was released on 17 June 2022; it features a redesigned front fascia inspired by the 1960s LC10 Fronte 360. The facelift model was launched in June 2022, while the Lapin LC was received a facelift in 2025. This retro-styled kei car is powered by a 660 cc petrol engine producing 52 PS (38 kW) and 60 N⋅m (44 lb⋅ft) of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It is available in both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations. The Lapin LC measures 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width, and 1,525 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,460 mm. In its most efficient configuration, it achieves an average fuel consumption of up to 26.2 km/L. In July 2025, a R06D mild hybrid version was available.

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

Specifications

Manufacturer: Suzuki
name: Suzuki Alto Lapin
aka: Mazda Spiano (first generation only)
Production: 2002–present, 2002–2008 (Mazda Spiano)
Assembly: Japan: Kosai, Shizuoka
Body style: 5-door hatchback
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Class: Kei car
Related: Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Wagon R

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/Q3138381CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Alto_LapinCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376413035 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SPIANO.JPGCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: User:Kuha455405 of the Japanese Wikipedia (uploader to the Japanese Wikipedia) · 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.