Thanks to the 25-year importation rule, it’s now legal to bring in a Suzuki Cappuccino, the brand’s 1991-’98 alternative to a Honda Beat or Autozam AZ-1. In keeping with the day’s kei car standard, the Cappuccino measures not quite 130 inches in length while offering just about 63 horsepower from its 657cc three-cylinder engine–this one being turbocharged and intercooled.
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The Cappuccino was actually the first car 10-year-old Colin bought when he first started up career mode in Gran Turismo 4. I was too young to appreciate the car then, but it now (strangely) has a special place in my heart.
Even if you get a rally car driver to drive it, it will still be beat by some kid in an old AE86 on the downhill.
Flynlow brought his red Cappuccino to my house when he was looking at my E46 a few years ago. It is an almost perfect sports car: well and interestingly engineered, simple to work on, tossable and fun to drive.
For a tiny car powered by a mid-size bike engine, it performed amazingly well despite having my fat ass in the driver's seat and Flynlow (who is perfectly normal weight) riding shotgun. It had enough interior space for 2 adults to be comfortable.
I'd buy one.
I like these a lot. That top is crazy and I want it.
What can these engines take boost wise? Is 100hp doable? What a riot...
spandak said:I like these a lot. That top is crazy and I want it.
What can these engines take boost wise? Is 100hp doable? What a riot...
Considering the other engines Suziki was making at this time (Swift GTI anyone?) I wouldn't doubt it.
Duke said:Flynlow brought his red Cappuccino to my house when he was looking at my E46 a few years ago. It is an almost perfect sports car: well and interestingly engineered, simple to work on, tossable and fun to drive.
For a tiny car powered by a mid-size bike engine, it performed amazingly well despite having my fat ass in the driver's seat and Flynlow (who is perfectly normal weight) riding shotgun. It had enough interior space for 2 adults to be comfortable.
I'd buy one.
That was a good day. Driving your E46 helped cement that as my next DD!
I could be talked into bringing mine to the GRM challenge this fall to run exhibition class and give dozens (hundreds?) of ridealongs on the autox course.
Just saying. 
It makes an Elise look big. This was driving it back from Pikes Peak to Delaware:
I picked one up recently and intend on documenting my development of it:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/jps-cappuccino/162277/page1/
I for one, would love to see it run exhibition!
I automatically think of Gran Turisimo when I see these..
I want to drop an MG Midget shell over the top of the Capuchino chassis. Not that it would result in a better car, but it would be a fun project and quite usable when done. Trick would be to find a properly shunted chassis donor that was still driveable and then import the thing.
Pete
The want is bad for one of these. Really bad. However, living in the Poconos means mountain roads, fun in a Coyote powered S550, not so fun in a 4 banger Jeep. How do these go-karts do on the ups and downs of elevation changes?
I would like one for a commuter.
I've got a buddy who has one. I've driven it on a track. It's much better suited to autocross or tight tracks than open ones. Pretty much leave your finger out on all the straights, Miatas will pass without hesitation, Corvettes will dust you in any gear.
Lots of fun on back roads though. Drive as hard as you want, you won't get caught speeding.
6' tall isn't real comfy, but it's no worse than a Lotus.
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