The Suzuki Regina concept shown at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show was an unusual little car. We don’t want to get our hopes up about production (especially since we’d probably never get it in America anyway), but the Regina will return to the spotlight at the Geneva Motor Show with some tweaks that have us wondering if Suzuki plans to actually build the French-looking runabout. Despite its bold styling, the Regina’s drivetrain seems plausible enough; it’s powered by a conventional three-cylinder gasoline engine.

The Regina will apparently be renamed G70 when it’s shown in Switzerland. Tokyo publicity for the car centered around the five-door as “an idea for a 1,600-pound sedan that gets 75 miles per gallon.” Suzuki has officially pegged the weight of the G70 at 730 kg, or 1,606 pounds. The “70″ in the name likely comes from its 70g/km of carbon emissions, but Suzuki hasn’t divulged its numbers yet. Follow the jump for a press release on the G70 concept.

Continue reading Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming?

Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s something about the Suzuki Regina Concept that we like. A lot. For starters, it has a white roof. What’s cool about that, you ask? Well, after Ford stole the idea from Mini for the Flex, nothing. But darn it if it doesn’t look good here. With those rear fender skirts, we’re actually seeing a good bit of Citroën DS in Suzuki’s stylish little econobox, and as we all know, the DS is the most beautiful car of all time.

The Regina Concept, on the other hand, is just an idea for a 1,600-pound sedan that gets 75 miles per gallon. Suzuki didn’t share details about the powertrain, but Autocar is reporting that the Regina Concept is powered by a turbocharged, 800-cc gasoline engine, and uses both start-stop and regenerative braking tech to achieve such lofty fuel economy.

A car that light could be powered by a leaf blower and still be fun to drive, so we’re giving this one a thumbs up. Go ahead and build it, Suzuki, because you know someone will figure out a way to put a small-block Chevy in it. Hit the jump for Suzuki’s short press release.

Continue reading Gas-sipping Suzuki Regina Concept begs for production

Gas-sipping Suzuki Regina Concept begs for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For their home turf show, Japanese automakers often bring out the best and quirkiest. To cite just a few examples, how about the three different Nissan Pivo concepts, the Honda EV-N and the Nissan Land Glider. Suzuki continues the trend this year with a full slate of world premieres of unusual designs wrapped around some eco-friendly powertrains.

The theme seems to be that small is good, and the “big” star is the Regina (above), Suzuki’s “vision of a next-generation global compact car” that gets 75 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the JC08 test cycle. The usual efficiency suspects – lightweighting and improved aerodynamics – help out here. The Regina weighs just 1,609 pounds (730 kg) and emits just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Then we have the Q-concept, because apparently having one funky Japanese car defined by a single letter (the Mitsubishi i) isn’t enough. The Q is the bright orange My First Discman thing you see above left, and it’s a small city vehicle that’s only 2.5 meters long and seats two in tandem style. The interior arrangement can be adapted to fit more kids – or delivery goods – in the back. Suzuki doesn’t specify, but we assume it’s powered by electricity since there is no tailpipe and the automaker says the car (?) is “ideal for everyday journeys within a radius of about 10km.”

The most normal-looking vehicle that Suzuki will display at Tokyo Big Sight is the Swift EV Hybrid. A plug-in electric with an “engine-driven generator,” the Swift EV Hybrid (also called the Swift Range Extender) can easily go between 20 and 30 kilometers (12 and 18 miles), at least, on battery power and then go further using liquid fuel. Exact details on the battery size and all-electric range will have to wait until the show starts in Japan at the end of the month. In 2009, Suzuki showed off the Swift Plug-In Hybrid.

Suzuki will also display a new Swift Sport and a flotilla of two-wheelers, including some powered by fuel cells and batteries. Read more about them after the jump.

Continue reading Suzuki gets small and funky for Tokyo with Regina compact, Q-Concept, Swift EV Hybrid

Suzuki gets small and funky for Tokyo with Regina compact, Q-Concept, Swift EV Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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