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The 85 mph, 50 mpg Whizzkid had a lot going for it: Suzuki hasn't produced anything remotely as interesting since. Launched in the early '70s in Japan as the SC Coupe, it had a rear-mounted, 47 bhp, overhead-cam engine which, in later years, would feature in the Bedford Rascal delivery van. When it arrived in Britain in the late '70s, the Whizzkid (as it was renamed by the UK importers) was not only the fastest 1.0-litre on the road, but also just about the cheapest car on the market. The dealers sold every car they could get their hands on and were none too pleased when Suzuki dropped the model in favour of the dreary Alto saloon.
Styled by Ital Design, the Whizzkid was available with a variety of smaller engines, including a three-cylinder two-stroke and a twin-cam, 547 cc four-stroke. All-round independent suspension gave it vice-free handling, while front discs supplied all the braking power it needed. It wasn't a packaging masterpiece - longer than a Mini but with very cramped rear seats - but then it was never really intended as a family car.
So popular was the Whizzkid in Britain there was talk of a Lotus-developed version that would be assembled in the UK. That idea was dropped, however, as there wouldn't have been enough local content to suit the politicians.
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