The Suzuki Solio (Japanese: スズキ・ソリオ, Suzuki Sorio) is a mini MPV manufactured and marketed by Suzuki since 1997. The preceding model and the first generation Solio were derived from the narrower Wagon R.

Suzuki Solio
2016 Suzuki Solio Hybrid
Overview
ManufacturerSuzuki
Also calledSuzuki Wagon R
Production1997–present
Body and chassis
ClassMini MPV
Body style
Layout

Predecessor: Wagon R-Wide (MA61S/MB61S; 1997)

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Suzuki Wagon R-Wide
 
Suzuki Wagon R-Wide (pre-facelift, Japan)
Overview
Model codeMA61S/MB61S
Also called
Production
  • February 1997 – May 1999 (Japan)
  • 2004–2022 (China)
  • 1999–2001 (Colombia)
  • 1998–2006 (Indonesia)
AssemblyJapan: Sagara Plant, Shizuoka Prefecture
China: Jiangxi, China
Colombia: Bogotá (GM Colmotores)
Indonesia: Bekasi Regency (SIM)
Body and chassis
ClassCity car/Mini MPV
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
RelatedSuzuki Wagon R (first generation)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,355 mm (92.7 in)
Length3,400–3,470 mm (133.9–136.6 in)
Width1,575 mm (62.0 in)
Height1,670–1,705 mm (65.7–67.1 in)
Curb weight810–880 kg (1,786–1,940 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorSuzuki Karimun Estilo (Indonesia)

The predecessor to the Solio, the Wagon R-Wide, was introduced in February 1997, as a slightly larger version of the Wagon R, exceeding the kei car specifications, with larger engines of 1 or 1.2 litres. The Wagon R-Wide was sold as the Wagon R in the European market (also introduced in the same year) with the atmospheric versions of the 1.0 K10A and the 1.2 K12A. The only other tall wagon style car sold in Europe around the time of its introduction was the Daihatsu Move. The car was made in Japan. It was not galvanised and it was prone to rust, especially in the sills, after years of use in Central and Northern Europe. The Wagon R-Wide was slightly facelifted in May 1998, and this updated Wagon R-Wide was also sold in Europe under Wagon R . In Europe, the first-generation Wagon R was sold from 1997 until May 2000.

The engines were the 996 cc K10A, in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms, or the later 1171 cc naturally aspirated K12A. The naturally aspirated K10A produces 65 PS (48 kW) and 88 Nm. The turbocharged version was only available in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia; it puts out 100 PS (74 kW) and 118 Nm. The 1.2-litre K12A engine produces 70 PS (51 kW) and 93 Nm. The larger engine was the only one offered in conjunction with four-wheel drive in Europe.

Between 1999 and 2001, it was also built in Colombia by GM Colmotores, who sold it as the Chevrolet Wagon R .[1] This was equipped with the naturally aspirated K10A four-cylinder engine.[2]

In Indonesia, the facelifted Japanese Wagon R-Wide was sold as the Suzuki Karimun[3] and was produced locally from 1999 until 2006 and offered with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, whilst in China it forms the base for Changhe Beidouxing. The Big Dipper is available with an indigenously built 1.0-litre engine based on the old F10A, or with the more modern 1.4-litre K14B engine.[4]

First generation (MA63S/MA64S/MA32S; 1999)

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First generation
 
2003 Suzuki Wagon R GL 1.3 (pre-facelift, UK)
Overview
Model codeMA63S/MA64S/MA34S
Also called
  • Suzuki Wagon R (Japan, 1999–2000; Europe, 1999–2008)
  • Suzuki Wagon R Solio (Japan, 2000–2004)
  • Opel/Vauxhall Agila A (Europe, 1999–2007)
  • Chevrolet MW (Japan; 2000–2003, 2006–2010)
Production1999–2010
Assembly
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,360 mm (92.9 in)
Length3,545 mm (139.6 in)
Width1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Height1,665–1,705 mm (65.6–67.1 in)
Curb weight970 kg (2,138 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorSuzuki Splash (outside Japan)

The Wagon R was launched in May 1999 in Japan, replacing the Wagon R-Wide. This updated version started sales in the European market in the summer of 2000. The main difference between the JDM Wagon R and the European Wagon R is the door handles, which on JDM models were body-coloured while European models received black door handles.

In December 2000, the Japanese-spec model was renamed Wagon R Solio, and this was available both in the bottom-of-the-line X trim level and in a more sports-oriented trim level known as the 1.3. In June 2002, the 1.0 E trim level was added to the Wagon R-Solio lineup. In August 2003, a mid-facelift Wagon R-Solio was released. In April 2004, the Wagon R-Solio was renamed Solio, losing the Wagon R moniker entirely. In August 2005, a facelifted Solio was launched.

The Hungarian-built Wagon R was produced for the European market for years after the Japanese models were phased out, albeit with limited range and availability. As of 2006 in the UK, only one model was available – the GL, with a 1.3 litre (1298 cc) 16 valve 4-cylinder petrol engine delivering 59 kW (80 PS; 79 hp), ABS with EBD and air conditioning as options. The latest model was 3,540 mm (139.4 in) x 1,620 mm (63.8 in) x 1,695 mm (66.7 in) (length x width x height), with a claimed 597 litres (21.1 cu ft) of cargo space. It was too difficult for either the Wagon R-Solio or Solio to meet with Euro NCAP crash safety ratings, resulting in the Wagon R being replaced by the Splash in late 2008.

From 2000 until 2007, the Wagon R was rebadged as Opel/Vauxhall Agila. The Agila was built at an Opel factory in Gliwice, Poland and used Opel Engines and transmissions.

Second generation (MA15S; 2010)

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Second generation
 
2011–2013 Suzuki Solio G
Overview
Model codeMA15S
Also calledMitsubishi Delica D:2
Production2010–2015
AssemblyJapan: Makinohara, Shizuoka (Sagara plant)
Powertrain
Engine1242 cc K12B DOHC VVT I4
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,450 mm (96.5 in)
Length3,710 mm (146.1 in)
Width1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Height1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Curb weight1,000–1,090 kg (2,205–2,403 lb)

While the kei-version of the Wagon R went through third and fourth generations, the wider Solio remained in its first-generation until undergoing a full model change in December 2010. The second-generation Solio was released on 7 January 2011 and is based on the Palette instead of the Wagon R, although the Palette itself uses the Wagon R's platform. This generation of Solio (MA15) also provides the basis for an OEM deal with Mitsubishi Motors, rebadged as the Mitsubishi Delica D:2, which was released in March 2011.[6] In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.

Third generation (MA26S/MA36S/MA46S; 2015)

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Third generation
 
2015 Suzuki Solio Hybrid MX
Overview
Model codeMA26S/MA36S/MA46S
Also calledMitsubishi Delica D:2
Production2015–2020
AssemblyJapan: Makinohara, Shizuoka (Sagara plant)
Body and chassis
PlatformHEARTECT platform
Powertrain
Engine1242 cc K12C DOHC VVT Dualjet I4
Electric motorWA05A (MHEV)
PB05A (HEV)
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,480 mm (97.6 in)
Length3,710–3,720 mm (146.1–146.5 in)
Width1,625 mm (64.0 in)
Height1,745 mm (68.7 in)
Curb weight930–990 kg (2,050–2,183 lb)

The third-generation Solio was released in Japan on 26 August 2015.

Fourth generation (MA27S/MA37S; 2020)

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Fourth generation
 
2020 Suzuki Solio Hybrid MZ
Overview
Model codeMA27S/MA37S
Also calledMitsubishi Delica D:2
Production2020–present
AssemblyJapan: Makinohara, Shizuoka (Sagara plant)
Body and chassis
PlatformHEARTECT platform
Powertrain
Engine1242 cc K12C DOHC VVT Dualjet I4
Electric motorWA05A (MHEV)
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,480 mm (97.6 in)
Length3,790 mm (149.2 in)
Width1,645 mm (64.8 in)
Height1,745 mm (68.7 in)
Curb weight960–1,000 kg (2,116–2,205 lb)
1,000–1,040 kg (2,205–2,293 lb) (hybrid)

The fourth-generation Solio was released in Japan on 25 November 2020.[7]

Sales

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Year Japan[8]
2011 36,902
2012 38,877
2013 30,296
2014 32,857
2015 38,488
2016 48,814
2017 49,742
2018 44,884
2019 44,488
2020 40,342
2021 44,713
2022 41,590
2023 47,983

References

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  1. ^ Fourie, Louis (2016). On a Global Mission: The Automobiles of General Motors International. Vol. 3 (1st ed.). Friesen Press. p. 1146. ISBN 9781460296905.
  2. ^ Clopatofsky, José (1999-08-11). "Sorprendente el nuevo Chevrolet todo lo Alto" [Surprising new Chevrolet: all about the Alto]. El Tiempo (in Spanish). Bogotá, Colombia. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01.
  3. ^ "Mobil LCGC Suzuki Karimun Wagon R GS". apritos review otomotif. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  4. ^ "1.4L北斗星参数表" [Changhe-Suzuki Big Dipper 1.4L: specifications] (in Chinese). China Chang'an Automobile Group. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
  5. ^ "Opel. Opel In Poland". Car-cat.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  6. ^ "三菱自動車、『デリカD:2』 を新発売: ~5人乗り2列シートのコンパクトミニバン~" [Mitsubishi New Release, Delica D:2 – 5 seats in 2 rows in a compact minivan] (in Japanese). Mitsubishi Motors. 2011-02-24.
  7. ^ "スズキ、小型乗用車 新型「ソリオ」、「ソリオ バンディット」を発売" [Suzuki launches new "Solio" and "Solio Bandit" compact cars]. suzuki.co.jp (Press release) (in Japanese). 25 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  8. ^ "スズキ ソリオ 新車販売台数推移/売れ行き(生産台数)と生産状況は?生産工場も - 株式会社アイディーインフォメーション" [Suzuki Solio new car sales trends/sales (production volume) and production status? Production factory too - ID Information Co., Ltd.]. id-information.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-14.
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