Suzuki produced a kei-sized roadster between 1991 and 1998, that kei car being the Cappuccino. Just over 28,000 were produced, of which a handful were imported to the United States under the 25-year import rule that waives the safety and emission requirements set out by the NHTSA and EPA.
According to Best Car, which accurately leaked many details regarding the GR Corolla and GR Supra before their debuts, the Cappuccino is – allegedly – coming back in 2027 with a larger engine that Suzuki used in the original kei car from the 1990s.
Instead of 657 cubic centimeters, the newcomer is believed to feature a 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder lump developed by fellow Japanese automaker Toyota. As per the cited publication, it's expected with 150 ps and 22.5 kgm to its name, as in 148 horsepower and 163 pound-feet (220 Nm).
Given the aforementioned 1.3 liters, the purported second coming of the Cappuccino is a different animal from the 1990s icon. From the standpoint of classification, it would be a regular automobile rather than a kei-class vehicle, for kei cars have been limited to 660 cubes since 1998.
The agreement between Japanese automakers and the country's lawmakers also enforces a maximum output of 64 ps or 63 horsepower, which is less than half the second gen's reported max output. Best Car also understands that it's a rear-wheel-drive affair devoid of electrical assistance, sporting a length of approximately 4,000 millimeters (157.4 inches).
Photo: Suzuki
That's huge compared to the original, with Suzuki listing the 1991 model at 3,295 millimeters (129.7 inches). Best Car says that it's jointly developed by Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota, alluding to Daihatsu and Toyota versions of the all-new Cappuccino.
Speaking of which, remember the Daihatsu Copen Vision and Toyota S-FR concepts? If they'll ever see the light of series production, then yes, it does make sense for said automakers to join forces. Best Car estimates a curb weight of 1,100 kilograms (2,425 pounds) for the Cappuccino as opposed to 725 kilograms (1,598 pounds) for the first gen.
Yet-unconfirmed specifications further include six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions, a wheelbase of 2,480 millimeters (97.6 inches), and something like 3,000,000 yen for the starting price. That's around $18,800 at current exchange rates. For reference, the most affordable GR Yaris in Japan carries a suggested retail price of 3,490,000 yen or circa 21,875 freedom eagles.
Given the reported length and wheelbase, Suzuki's new Cappuccino might very well compete against Mazda's MX-5 Miata. Over in Japan, the roadster and retractable fastback-bodied model currently start at ¥2,898,500 and ¥3,796,100, respectively. Both variants feature Mazda's 1.5-liter naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G engine, a powerplant that isn't available in the United States market or Canada.
Mazda's director and senior managing executive officer - Yasuhiro Aoyama – suggested partial electrification for the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata. Dubbed NE, the fifth generation is rumored to debut in late 2025 or sometime during 2026, making it either a 2026 or 2027 model.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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