Published
on 12
Oct 2021
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All rights reserved.
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Cute
and retro, Lapin targets at young ladies.
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The Lapin
nameplate has been around since 2002. More than any other Suzuki small
cars, it aims at attracting young ladies. In the first 2 generations,
over 90 percent buyers were female, and 60 percent of them were in 20s
and 30s. This direction is carried over to the latest generation, which
is evident in the rubbit logo printed in the middle of its grille. The
exterior design is very cute. Rounder and more elegant in details than
the old car, its retro shape might be inspired by the 1969 Mini
Clubman. The decorative panel bridging the large round headlamps is a
nice touch. The body is available in pink, mint green or many light
colors that girls love.
The warm color scheme repeats in the cabin to make an inviting
environment. The dashboard is designed like furnitures, covered with
wood grain surface and lacquered panel. The free-standing touchscreen,
the big round instrument gauge and round-corner air vents all look
classy and elegant. Cross-stitched roof textile delivers a retro feel.
Pull-out drawers at the glovebox area look special. Style-wise, this is
probably the best cabin in the current K-car market. It is also
spacious and reasonably versatile in seating/luggage arrangement.
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The
instrument will display rabbit animation to congratulate on your
birthday.
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Apart from design and textures, the cabin has another gimmick to please
young ladies: the driving information display in the instrument pod can
display rabbit animation, including greetings on festivals, your
birthday and memorial days, so cute! Apart from Japan, which country
would make a car like this?
The Lapin is built on the lightweight platform of Alto. Kerb weight has
been cut by an astonishing 120kg, dropping to only 680kg. This means
the 52hp naturally aspirated 3-cylinder motor has not much problem to
haul the little car with respectable progress. Predictably, the driving
characteristic is strongly biased towards the comfort/easy-driving side
to please female novices. The steering is light. The suspension setting
is soft, so turn-in is rather slow and the front leans heavily into
corner. It is by no means a driver's car, but the flipside is a ride
comfort superior to that of the Alto, which is simply too harsh for
ladies.
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Verdict:  |
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