--- title: "Suzuki Cappuccino Coming Back to Take on the Miata With Toyota’s Help: Report" description: "The historic Suzuki Cappuccino sports car is reportedly returning as a rival to the Mazda MX-5 convertible." date: "2024-06-18" modified: "2024-06-18" authors: - name: "James Gilboy" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/culture/suzuki-cappuccino-coming-back-to-take-on-the-miata-with-toyotas-help-report" categories: - "Culture" - "News" tags: - "Convertible" - "mazda" - "miata" - "sports car" --- # Suzuki Cappuccino Coming Back to Take on the Miata With Toyota’s Help: Report ![1993 Suzuki Cappuccino]() *\Suzuki via CarsWP.com\* Knowing your 1990s Japanese legends means knowing your ABCs; the [Autozam AZ-1](), Honda Beat, and of course, the [Suzuki Cappuccino](). This tiny, lightweight roadster made even the Mazda Miata look big and heavy, and it was [a surprisingly close match when it came to performance](). It could soon be that once again, as Japanese media reports the Suzuki Cappuccino is coming back—and that it'll directly take on the [Mazda MX-5](). This rumor comes via [*Best Car*](), which links the Cappuccino's comeback to Toyota's alleged project to confront Mazda with the S-FR roadster. Suzuki and Toyota (along with Daihatsu) have been reported to be [collaborating on a sports car as far back as 2019](), with the project supposedly evolving from a mid-engined car to a conventional front-engined model. Or rather, three models, one for each marque, *a la* [how Toyota handled the GR86 and GR Supra](). The Toyota model would be the S-FR, the Daihatsu a new Copen roadster, and the Suzuki, a hot, fresh new Cappuccino. Consider this one a double shot though, because size is one of the big changes that would supposedly come to this classic Suzuki. ![1993 Suzuki Cappuccino]() *1993 Suzuki Cappuccino. *Suzuki via CarsWP.com** Because the S-FR is rumored to be [a direct competitor to the MX-5](), including size-wise, that means the Cappuccino will no longer be a [kei car](). It's also expected to get the downsized, 1.3-liter version of the [GR Corolla]()'s turbo three-cylinder, making around 150 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque. Though this engine is also expected to power the alleged [GR Starlet hot hatch](), it'd power the Cappuccino's rear wheels instead of the fronts, as rumored for the hatchback. No transmission info has solidified, but it seems safe to expect a six-speed manual alongside some flavor of automatic. This renewed Suzuki icon is reportedly expected on a similar timeline to its fraternal triplets, with an ETA of 2027. If it arrives as foretold, it'd be less powerful than the current, 181-hp Mazda MX-5, never mind the next-gen model, which [will almost certainly be a hybrid](). But its combustion-only powertrain might make it more appealing to some consumers than the MX-5, especially if the engine is as boost-hungry as [the GR Corolla's 1.6-liter](). Obviously, with Suzuki absent from the U.S. market, the only version we'd get would be the equivalent Toyota. Even so, it'd be exciting to see this historic nameplate revived. *Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com* ## Author James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids." ### Author social links [Instagram]()