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You don't have to look too hard to see where this car gets its inspiration from
Like the British Mini, the Suzuki Alto Lapin has wheels at its farthest corners and is also super lightweight.
The Japanese have a thing for European culture.
The amount of left-hand drive cars you see driving around metro cities in Japan says it all. In order to speak from the same songbook, some of Japan’s own domestic product is often inspired by Europe.
The Suzuki Alto Lapin hybrid city car – Lapin French for Rabbit – is one such example. Firstly, takes its name from Europe. Secondly, there’s the styling: a Mini-esque roofline stolen directly from the British design playbook; coupled with detail, considered material selection and craft.
Its tweed seat fabric feels like your partner’s favourite jacket and the rest of the interior is a palette of off-whites and vintage typefaces. Clever storage has been integrated into the dashboard, so you’ll find pull-out cup holders and nifty storage trays in seemingly-obvious places.
Underneath the vintage styling and clever interior design lies a dependable Japanese Suzuki Alto hybrid kei car; which means reliability, quality and fuel efficiency are its best traits.
The second row is actually quite spacious too, and will happily fit either four six-foot adults, or two adults and two children in child seats. The second row features ISOFIX child seat anchor points.
Behind all the action is a boot is big enough for your fortnightly grocery shop. Over time you’ll come to love its little luxuries like heated seats, keyless entry and full LED headlights.
Then, you’ll wonder why it’s taken you so long to get car that’s fun to drive, fun to look at, and fun to use!
The car pictured – 2016 Suzuki Alto Lapin X hybrid
Our Suzuki Alto Lapin was built in March 2016 and is finished in a Brown Grey metallic.
As a top-spec Alto Lapin ‘X’ model, it features keyless entry and start, a heated driver’s seat, tweed seat fabric, automatic full LED headlights and a 360-view camera system.
Safety systems include forward autonomous emergency braking, six airbags, traction and stability control and ISOFIX rear child seat anchor points.
It’s powered by a three-cylinder ‘R06A’ engine assisted by a mild-hybrid system. Its petrol engine features a combined start motor + alternator + e-motor that’s assisted by a small lithium-ion battery to reduce fuel costs.
There’s also a five-speed automatic transmission that drives the front-wheels. This example was hand-picked from Japan by us and comes with two keys, and original owners manual and Japanese registration certificate.
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Quick facts
- 2016 Suzuki Alto Lapin hybrid
- 76,471km
- Five-speed automatic
- Three-cylinder engine with hybrid technology
- Factory equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (low speed), automatic LED headlights, heated driver’s seat, smart key entry + start, bluetooth connectivity
- 360-view parking camera
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- 700kg kerb weight = fun to drive
- Suzuki ‘R06A’ three-cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology
- Japanese de-registration paperwork, auction paperwork and service history available.
- Price includes NSW registration
- Price includes SEVS compliance. This vehicle can be road registered in any state or territory in Australia.
The Alto Lapin is based on a concept of creating a minivehicle that engenders the same kind of emotional attachment as a favourite fashion accessory or ornament.Suzuki Japan - release of Alto Lapin
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