Suzuki Twin
Encyclopedia
The Suzuki Twin was a kei car
built by Suzuki
and sold in Japan
from January 22, 2003, until October 2005. It was available in both hybrid
and non-hybrid versions, making it the first hybrid kei car
available in Japan. Under the Japanese test cycle, the standard model was capable of 4.54L/100km whereas the hybrid variant was capable of 2.93L/100km.
Designed primarily for young females , the Suzuki Twin is slightly longer than the Smart Fortwo
. It featured many new and unique features including a passenger seat that could fold completely flat and become a storage tray and a single power window on the driver's side to reduce battery use and cut costs.
The Twin's design and concept were first seen in the Suzuki PU3 Commuter concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show
. A near-production update was shown at the 2002 Tokyo Motor Show before finally being released in 2003.
In August 2003 motoring magazine Car and Driver
test drove the Twin with mostly negative remarks. The Twin's acceleration, storage and interior furnishings were all criticized whilst its headroom and turning circle were praised.
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
built by Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
and sold in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
from January 22, 2003, until October 2005. It was available in both hybrid
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
and non-hybrid versions, making it the first hybrid kei car
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
available in Japan. Under the Japanese test cycle, the standard model was capable of 4.54L/100km whereas the hybrid variant was capable of 2.93L/100km.
Designed primarily for young females , the Suzuki Twin is slightly longer than the Smart Fortwo
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater city car manufactured by Smart GmbH, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation...
. It featured many new and unique features including a passenger seat that could fold completely flat and become a storage tray and a single power window on the driver's side to reduce battery use and cut costs.
The Twin's design and concept were first seen in the Suzuki PU3 Commuter concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
. A near-production update was shown at the 2002 Tokyo Motor Show before finally being released in 2003.
In August 2003 motoring magazine Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
test drove the Twin with mostly negative remarks. The Twin's acceleration, storage and interior furnishings were all criticized whilst its headroom and turning circle were praised.