Suzuki Alto RS Turbo is a Pint-Sized Hot-Hatch
Suzuki may no longer sell cars in North America, but that won’t stop us from wondering about what might have been.
The Japanese automaker is still going strong in its home country and at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon it debuted a turbocharged version of its ultra-tiny Alto hatchback. Dubbed the Suzuki Alto RS Turbo, the hot hatch uses the standard 660-cc gasoline engine but pairs it up with a turbocharger for additional performance, though it’s unclear just how much. The naturally-aspirated Alto produces 48 or 51 hp depending on model so it’s likely the turbo variant gets closer to 100 hp.
2015 Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage
Making the Alto RS Turbo even hotter than the standard model is a set of 17-inch OZ wheels, Recaro seats on the inside and graphics throughout the body of the car. There’s also a bit of chrome treatment on the front end while the side mirrors and front spoiler has been painted red to match the wheels.
The Suzuki Alto is a kei car, which is a popular segment in Japan and while subcompacts are catching on in North America, it’s unlikely these city cars will ever make their way to the U.S.
GALLERY: Suzuki Alto RS Turbo
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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You know how people still buy Royal Enfield motorcycles even though they are archaic and primitive? But it grabs at your heart because you want to see the little bugger succeed at keeping up on the highway. I think I might be feeling some of that about this little 660cc turbo :)