[Suzuki Wagon R Smile] The difference in standing position from Wagon R...Development Manager [Interview]

Suzuki released the Wagon R Smile. We interviewed the person in charge of the development of this car, which was born from a plan to create a sliding door with a vehicle height similar to that of the Wagon R, about the background behind its creation and its characteristics. Mr. Masashi Takahashi, Chief Engineer of Suzuki Product Planning Headquarters

The keyword is "vehicle height of the same level as Wagon R"

----: The first thing I would like to ask is how did the project for this car begin in the first place?

Mr. Masashi Takahashi, Chief Engineer of Automobile Products Department 1, Suzuki Product Planning Headquarters (hereinafter honorifics omitted): The market for sliding door vehicles is growing even among minicars, and is now more than half. On the other hand, when it comes to the ratio of sliding door vehicles among Suzuki's kei cars, we have not been able to get sliding door vehicles compared to other companies, and we have not been able to achieve half the ratio. In other words, despite the growing demand for sliding doors that customers wanted in the light car market, we thought that we might not have enough products.

Actually, about 4 years ago, we started talking about it. Other companies are also offering a variety of products, so we started by introducing sliding door vehicles as new products.

---- : What did you think when Takahashi-san became the person in charge of this car?

Takahashi: First of all, I thought the standing position was very difficult. I was really worried about what kind of standing position and what kind of character I should give. Since it was a sliding door for a light car as a big subject, we proceeded with the research in parallel with the development.

Actually, about 40% of Wagon R owners wanted a sliding door with a vehicle height similar to that of Wagon R, and about 40% of customers who wanted to buy a light height wagon next. Someone said they wanted a sliding door. From there, the concept of this car decided to make a sliding door with the height of Wagon R. Suzuki Wagon R Smile

The seat position is as good as the Spacia

----: It's actually 50mm higher than the Wagon R, but what's the reason for that?

Takahashi: Actually, the seat position of the front seat is raised by 70mm to make it the same as "Spacia". The reason why I did this is that super tall wagons are driving the demand for sliding door vehicles, and Suzuki has the "Spacia." In addition, minivans and SUVs are increasing among registered vehicles, and we hear many people saying that they can drive with peace of mind because such vehicles have a high seating point and feel like they can see the view from above. Of course, there is a trade-off in that the car's center of gravity is raised, which is rather disadvantageous in terms of handling. SUZUKI SPACIA HYBRID X SEAT

For that reason, the front seat adopted the seat position of Spacia instead of the seat position of Wagon R. Since it is 70mm higher, if the vehicle height is also set to 70mm, it will become a spacia and it will be meaningless. Therefore, although the front seats were raised, the necessary interior dimensions were barely secured, and the overall height was 45 mm. Suzuki Wagon R Smile

What does Wagon R mean?

----: So why is it called Wagon R?

Takahashi: For example, if we name a new car “Smile,” we have to start by explaining what kind of car Smile is. In order to make the sliding door with the height of the Wagon R, which is a feature of this car, the most obvious, by giving it the name Wagon R, the Wagon R Smile is about the height of the Wagon R. It is a judgment that customers will be able to intuitively.

----: In that case, I feel that Wagon R should be a sliding door.

Takahashi: Sliding doors aren't the only mission that Wagon R must fulfill. It has been nearly 30 years since the Wagon R was released, and in the past, a sedan size about the size of the Alto was said to be the standard for light vehicles, but now the Wagon R is a normal size (vehicle height). The super-height wagon on top of that will eventually become mainstream, and it may become common eventually, but for us, among customers who buy mini vehicles with a vehicle height of about Wagon R, including the price I think it's standard. Suzuki Wagon R

In addition, there are many people who naturally ride in sliding door systems and super height wagons, and we assume various usage scenes. We are often told that the price of kei cars will be higher, but we still have to maintain the marketability of kei cars to some extent. Considering that, the Wagon R should firmly hold down the basic performance including the basic price, so considering the standing position of such a Wagon R, it is still wrong to make all sliding doors. Suzuki Spacia

----: In other words, is the price going up a lot?

Takahashi: That's right. Besides that, I think that other basic performance such as weight and fuel efficiency will also be affected. When considering the balance of products such as price and usability, I want the Yari Wagon R to be within the price range that customers expect.

On the other hand, with the release of Wagon R Smile, we have to think more seriously about what position the original Wagon R should go in, and what we should do with the next model more seriously. I think so.

----: It's true that the positional relationship between Wagon R and Wagon R Smile is difficult.

Takahashi: Price is a very important factor for minicars. Since the large size usually doubles as the small size, there is an idea to sell a lot of Spacia and keep the price down a little, but there are also places where the large size cannot be combined with the small size. For example, if you have a Spacia with a large room, you have to equip it with a circulator to make the air conditioning work well, and if you think about picking up and dropping off children, you may need to secure the luggage space necessary to put a 27-inch bicycle on it. .

However, in such a situation, after raising children, there are customers who do not need that size, but want a sliding door. Therefore, if the total height is just right, that is, about Wagon R, the interior will be a little more compact and the weight will be lighter, and the aerodynamics will be improved, which will improve fuel efficiency. Regarding the price, we tried to differentiate the equipment from the Spacia as much as possible, and kept the price at the very limit after careful examination.

The price is certainly between Wagon R and Spacia, but it wasn't quite in the middle. When it comes to sliding doors, everyone expects automatic doors, so there will always be a price difference. However, for those who do not need sliding doors, the basic Wagon R is necessary for those who expect a basic light car, or the original light car, so they can live separately from this car. Therefore, I think that we have to make products that are easier to understand.

Mainly in town, no turbo

----: Please tell us the target users of the Wagon R Smile.

Takahashi: First of all, I think that the main generation is the generation that has graduated from raising children, and the generation that no longer needs the size of Spacia. Another big thing is young people. It's a generation that doesn't need a big bike for junior high and high school students before getting married yet or a young family. There is actually quite a lot of demand for sliding doors, even for small children and young people before getting married. Everyone grew up with a minivan, so sliding doors are normal. Rather, we think that hinged doors are common, but when we actually interviewed, we were asked what a hinged door was... We actually had a young customer say that a sliding door would be more normal and convenient. That's how I feel. Younger people know the convenience of sliding doors, and I am conscious of the fact that it is not a practical box type as a styling that resonates with them.

----: Do you mean that the actual usage scene is mainly in the city?

Takahashi: Yes.

----: Is it because you want to keep the price down to some extent?

Takahashi: Of course, we also have adaptive cruise control as an option so that you can go on long trips. However, since it is NA, it may be a little weak when riding at full capacity. This is part of the differentiation from "Hustler" and Spacia. The Spacia has enough engine power for family trips, so in terms of differentiating the character, I thought it would be mainly for city riding.

----: A long cruise would be much easier with a turbo installed.

Takahashi: We also had a lot of trouble deciding what to do with the turbo settings in the early stages of planning. Of course, I thought it would be better to set it because it would give customers more choices, but the percentage of cars with the current turbo setting is around 30% for the most common hustlers. About 25% in Spacia. Wagon R does not go 10%. Of course, it depends on the grade that is set, but considering such things, how much will it cost to set the turbo to Wagon R Smile this time? So, assuming an actual customer, we will start with NA this time. For that reason, we thought about making NA customers feel that fuel economy is good when they use it normally.

----: By the way, are you aiming for the importance of a second car?

Takahashi: Yes. It's a light car. If you are a young family, you probably have a minivan as your main, and use it when you go out. I think it would be nice to have a car with a sliding door like the Wagon R Smile for everyday commuting, shopping for my wife, and picking up and dropping off.

For customers who have graduated from raising children, it may be the first car, but if you are still in your 50s or 60s, you have a main car and a mini car as a second car. I think there are many people who do. In such a situation, I am thinking of a styling that allows the wife to ride and the husband to ride depending on the situation.