Smile: the new microvan Suzuki Wagon R is shown Smile
Suzuki's range of miniature kei cars is already wide, but the company still added one more car to it. The new Suzuki Wagon R Smile microvan occupies a narrow niche between the Wagon R and Spacia models. Moreover, this is not a variation of the usual “Vagon”, but in fact a separate model with an original almost one-volume body and a funny “cartoon” design.
The whole trinity is built on the same platform with a wheelbase of 2460 mm. The length (3395 mm) and width (1475 mm) are also the same, because these are the maximum allowed indicators for Japanese kei cars. But the height of the cars is different. The usual Wagon R has 1650 mm, the tall Spacia is 1785 mm, and the indicator of the new Suzuki Wagon R Smile model is “intermediate” 1695 mm.
Basic versions have halogen headlights and stamped wheels, while more expensive options feature LED lighting, a chrome grille, alloy wheels and two-tone body paint. The palette uses mostly pastel colors. Sliding doors with a 600 mm wide opening and an optional electric drive lead to the back row. By the way, this is the first use of sliding doors in the almost 30-year history of the Wagon R family.
The cabin height of the Smile model is 65 mm higher than the base hatchback (1330 mm instead of 1265 mm), so the landing here is more upright. The rear seats are longitudinally adjustable, you can change the angle of the backrest. True, in the most relaxed position of the seats, only the name remains from the trunk.
The basic equipment is frankly “empty”, and instead of a media system there is a large plug (a common thing for the Japanese market). But there's still climate control and a new Safety Support electronic package that Suzuki began rolling out to Japan models earlier this year. It includes an automatic braking system with a stereo camera under the windshield (similar to Subaru). Expensive versions have a nine-inch media system, a head-up display, an engine start button, all-round cameras, adaptive cruise control, and even a CD player.
Under the hood is a three-cylinder aspirated engine with a volume of 658 cubes (49 hp, 58 Nm), interlocked with a V-belt variator. For all versions, except for the base one, the power unit is supplemented with a starter-generator that produces 2.6 hp. and 40 Nm, and a small lithium-ion battery under the passenger seat. Such a makeweight is effective only when starting off and in the first seconds of acceleration. Any configuration can be selected with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. In the first case, a conventional semi-independent suspension is installed at the rear, and in the second, a conventional axle with a pair of trailing arms and Panhard rod.
In Japan, sales of Suzuki Wagon R Smile microvans will begin in September. Pricing starts at $11,810, which is only $10 less than the larger Spacia. The original Wagon R hatchback here costs from 10 thousand.
