In the Japanese market, Suzuki is the main specialist for minicars. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was this company that once took the liberty of introducing the Europeans to a typical Japanese compact car - the Suzuki Wagon R +. The first generation of this car appeared on the domestic market of Japan in 1993 and was called the Suzuki Wagon R. In the same year, this model was named by Japanese journalists as the best automotive novelty of the year in the RJC New Car of the Year nomination. Europe in 1997 was conquered by a later version of the Wagon R + (known in Japan as the Wagon R Wide). It is much broader and more powerful than the Wagon R.
If the “liter” turbocharged engine was offered to buyers in the Camp of the Rising Sun, the Europeans got a 1.3-liter power unit. Suzuki managed to pretty well settle in the Old World. The company even built a plant in Hungary, where they began to produce a "European" version of the Wagon R +. The car is a micro-van with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It is based on the platform of the Suzuki Alto hatchback. Engineers from Adam Opel AG took part in the development of the model, and in technical terms it is close to Opel Agila.
In fact, the Opel Agila and the Wagon R + are one and the same. With the only difference that only Opel engines and manual gearboxes are installed on Opel, and Japanese units, including a four-speed automatic transmission, are installed on Suzuki. In terms of design, the Wagon R + is a very unusual car. It looks interesting and even a bit funny. With the minimum external dimensions, the creators managed to provide the maximum internal volume, which makes it possible to feel cozy and comfortable in the conditions of complex city traffic. With all the versatility and external clumsiness, the Wagon R + quickly formed its market niche.
According to estimates, by March 1996, 500,000 such vehicles had been sold. For the first time, the Suzuki Wagon R was completely updated in October 1998. The Wagon R + is significantly larger than its Japanese version, its length is 3,500 mm, and its width is 1,620 mm.
Thanks to such dimensions, this excellent car takes up little space, both on the road and in the parking lot. But despite all this, its interior is quite spacious, and it seems that the car is much larger inside than outside. Exterior design is simple, but at the same time bright and memorable. First of all, due to the slightly disproportionate (from the point of view of the “classic” automotive industry) forms. Appearance is enlivened by “bug-eyed” headlights, beautiful 14-inch alloy wheels, “rails” on the roof, and a romping spoiler above the back door. Versatility, practicality and flexibility - these words can be used to characterize the salon Wagon R +.
It is not only functional, but also quite spacious. Significant savings in internal space is achieved, firstly, due to the design of the seats - they are much thinner than usual. Secondly, the gas tank is located "lying", under the rear seats. As a result, the space is freed, and the rear passengers sit on the podium, as it were, 10 cm above the driver.
Landing high, "bus". The rear seats, which are independent of each other, can be folded in one motion, and thus, they can be transported in fairly large sizes. And all because the volume of the luggage compartment is 1,250 liters and allows the free placement of various wide, long, high and having an unusual shape of objects. In standard condition, the trunk is quite small.
For small items in the cabin there are large door pockets, two open shelves (under the glovebox and under the steering column) and two deep drawers under the front seats. The interior was borrowed from the second-to-last Opel Corsa: a three-spoke steering wheel, shift paddles, and round knobs of the air conditioner, and square nozzles of the ventilation system, and even buttons for electric actuators of the exterior mirrors. Even the seats are hard in German, although they lack lateral support. The modest instrument panel comes to life only when the ignition is turned on. Readings are easy to read. Among the mosaic of bright control bulbs, the EPS symbol stands out.
This is an electric power steering (Electric Power Steering), which is also borrowed from Corsa. On the Wagon R + there is a 1.3 liter engine producing 76 hp. A car with a curb weight of 985 kg is more than enough. Two airbags for front passengers, electric steering, electric mirrors and power windows, central locking, digital clock, tinted windows, luggage rack, radio / CD player, tachometer, 3 handrails in the cabin, 2-speed wipers, rear wipers, 4 -speed heating / ventilation system and heated rear window - all this came as standard. In 2003, Suzuki announced a completely updated generation of its subcompact monocab Wagon R +.
The novelty has received a new body design, a modified trim, an upgraded technical stuffing, as well as a “charged” version, equipped with a compact turbo engine. From the previous generation, the novelty, above all, is different in appearance. The updated Suzuki Wagon R + is slightly higher, now resembling a smaller copy of the minivan, and also received a completely new body design as a whole. It is also worth noting that due to the alignment of the wheels in the corners of the body, the interior of the novelty turned out to be quite spacious and easily accommodates four passengers.
In addition, the updated Wagon R + has received an upgraded chassis and will be available in both mono and all-wheel drive version, as well as receive a modern engine with variable valve timing system, 54 hp. and the turbo version of this engine. The interior is quite trivial: simple plastic, simple fabric upholstery. The center console and the instrument panel are ascetic, but, nevertheless, readability and ergonomics are at the proper level. And the build quality is excellent. Wagon R + has excellent stability for a car with such a high body and a short wheelbase, it behaves more than confidently: it holds the road well, and there are no deviations from the trajectory when braking.
Excellent visibility provides a large glass area and impressive side mirrors. And finally, another interesting advantage is the folding mechanism of the rear seats. In most cars this happens in two stages: the seat cushion leans forward, then the back is put in its place. In the Wagon R +, the designers, having placed the seat high, left free space under it. Due to this, the luggage compartment can be increased in one motion: when the backrest is folded, the pillow goes down to the floor.
And the result is a flat luggage area. "Charged" version of the new Suzuki Wagon R, received the name Wagon RR. This new product differs from the base version with an aggressive body design, with a powerful front bumper, stylish head optics, as well as 14-inch wheels on alloy wheels. The heart of this car was a compact 660-cc gasoline engine with direct fuel injection, equipped with a turbocharging system. Thanks to these tricks, Suzuki specialists managed to achieve a power of 64 horsepower from a compact engine, which ensures good dynamics for a car weighing only 850 kilograms (in a monodrive version).
In short, the Suzuki Wagon R + is truly a multifunctional car, despite its small size. For a relatively short period of 12 years and seven months, about 2,500,000 Suzuki Wagon R.
