New Suzuki Lapin (HE33S)

2016 Suzuki Alto Lapin

The Suzuki Lapin, a favorite among young female drivers, is now on its third-generation and for this new model, the new Lapin promises to be a cheap, cheerful, and more economical thanks to Suzuki's knowledge for fuel-efficiency. This goes to show that the days are numbered for its potential rival, the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa because later on, you will notice how fuel efficient the new Lapin is compared to the Cocoa rival.

2016 Suzuki Alto Lapin

2016 Suzuki Alto Lapin interior

To some young Japanese women who got their driver's license for the first time, a car is considered themselves as an accessory rather than an appliance much like their high-tech smartphones, tablets, fondations, jewelry, and whatever girly they knew, and that's why the Lapin was born to cater every women's needs. On this new model, it's somewhat dysfunctional rather than cheery because on the front, you'll see some rounded headlamps and a new grille which looks like what happens when a party-crashing magical girl and a girl with braces met each other at a pizza chain and mash each others' faces. Ooohh...

It's the same story in the back because when you look at it, you'll notice that the rear lamps look like it came from an "old" New Beetle. Why is it so fussy?

On the interior, every girl in Japan shouldn't be worry about because it has plenty of hiding spots for their girly stuff, convenient when they're starting to notice when their boyfriend is at close range, speedometer that displays some cutesy messages, a Lapin tradition, air conditioner that will keep them fresh after their game of volleyball with their mates, and for more expensive versions, a big screen which works like an iPad. With all that stuff, the Lapin is more convenient than the Mira Cocoa, and it has an ample space for whatever girls can throw into.

2016 Suzuki Alto Lapin

Fuel efficiency is the main focus of the new Lapin and thanks to SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY, which implements ENE-CHARGE, ECO-COOL, and a new generation IDLING STOP feature, it promises a much better fuel economy of 35.6kmpl when mated with a CVT gearbox. For entry-level models, it comes with a brand-new 5-speed Auto Gear Shift (ASG), and when mated with it, fuel economy is 29.6kmpl, comfortably beating the Mira Cocoa's fuel economy.

Because the Lapin is made as a city car, it's not so bad to handle even if you're new to driving and with the 4.4m turning radius, it's great to slip into tight spots if you knew what you're doing.

The all-new Lapin starts at a reasonably priced 1,077,840 Japanese Yen, which is surprisingly cheaper to own than the Mira Cocoa, so what you're looking at, ladies, is a girl-friendly kei car that you can buy if you already passed your driver's exam. Although the design isn't appealing to some, the interior and the efficiency is what makes the new Lapin so special for the modern Japanese females.

Available colors: French Mint Pearl Metallic White 2-Tone Roof, Coffret Pink Pearl Metallic White 2-Tone Roof, Chiffon Ivory Metallic White 2-Tone Roof, Phone Beige Metallic White 2-Tone Roof, French Mint Pearl Metallic, Coffret Pink Pearl Metallic, Chiffon Ivory Metallic, Phone Beige Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, Cassis Pink Pearl Metallic, Pearl White, and Bluish Black Pearl 3.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation