Suzuki SC100

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The Suzuki SC100 was a car manufactured by Suzuki and sold from October 1979^{[citation needed]} in the UK and Holland. It was the first passenger car sold here by the newly set up Heron Suzuki four wheel division^{[citation needed]}. Clever marketing and advertising led to the car being given the name "Whizzkid". It was not, however, the first four-wheeled vehicle sold by the new network of four-wheel dealers. They were already selling LJ80 4x4 off road vehicles and ST80 vans and pick-ups. Only one trim level of the SC100 was ever sold (GX). Price when new in 1979 was £2,400.

From its launch demand outstripped supply due to the car’s sporty looks, design, and value for money. However, in 1982 the Cervo in Japan was discontinued in favor of the new front engined front wheel drive Cervo (sold here as the Alto). So in 1982, after just 4696 cars had been imported and sold in the United Kingdom, the SC100 ceased production. There was only one spec change during this period, which was to slightly modify the dashboard and column switches in January 1980. Early cars are now extremely rare.

Suzuki was the first company to offer a Keicar in 1955. One interesting departure from other Keicars was the Cervo of 1972. It was a 2+2 coupe based on the rear-engine Suzuki Fronte, measuring just 126in (320cm) long. It used a 539cc two-stroke engine developing 28hp and had a top speed of 65mph (105kph).

For export, Suzuki transformed the Cervo into the SC100 GX, which was known in England by its nickname, Whizzkid. The 2-cylinder engine was replaced by a rear-mounted 970cc 4-cylinder Suzuki Alto engine developing 47hp.

It sold for a bargain price, too, and at this level no European maker had ever offered the SC100's lavish list of equipment: tachomoeter, reclining front seats, cigar lighter, front disc brakes and all-round independent suspension. Suzuki's British importers sold all the cars they could from 1979 to 1982, and now it has minor classic status.

WHEELBASE: 2030 mm 79.92 in Track front: 1219 mm 47.99 in Track rear: 1194 mm 47.00 in LENGTH: 3200 mm 125.98 in WIDTH: 1394 mm 54.88 in GROUND CLEARANCE:159 mm 6.25 in CURB WEIGHT: 655 kg 1444.02 lb FUEL CAPACITY: 25.9 l 6.84 US gal

MANUFACTURER: Suzuki Type: S-4 SOHC 8 valves total 2 valves per cylinder Bore x stroke: 65.50mm × 72.00mm Bore / stroke ratio: 0.91 Displacement: 970 cc 59.19 cu in Compression: 9.00:1 Fuel system: 1 Mikuni Solex carb Aspiration: Normal Catalytic Converter: None Max. output: 47.7 PS (47.0 bhp) (35 kW)@5000 rpm Max. torque: 83.0 Nm (61 lbft) (8.5 kgm)@3000 rpm Coolant: Water Specific output: 48.5 bhp/litre Specific torque: 85.57 Nm/litre

0-60mph: 16.5 sec Top speed: 137 km/h Power to weight: 71.76 bhp/ton

Engine location: Rear Engine alignment: Transverse Steering: rack & pinion Suspension front: I.CS.W. Suspension rear: I.CS.TA. Brakes: Di/Dr Transmission: 4M Drive: RWD Top gear ratio: 0.9 Final drive ratio: 3.57