The Suzuki Splash is a supermini hatchback produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki between 2008 and 2012. While not officially sold in the United States, the Splash was a significant model in the European market, designed as an affordable and practical city car. It was a rebadged version of the Opel/Vauxhall Agila, a result of a partnership between Suzuki and General Motors. The Splash aimed to provide a spacious interior and good fuel economy in a compact package, appealing to buyers seeking an economical and versatile vehicle for urban environments.
Suzuki Splash 1.0: An Overview
The Splash occupied the subcompact or city car segment, competing with vehicles like the Fiat Panda, Renault Twingo, and Toyota Aygo. The 1.0-liter engine variant, producing 65 horsepower, was the mainstay of the range, prioritizing fuel efficiency over outright performance. The Splash was offered with a five-door body style and seating for five passengers, making it a practical choice for small families or individuals needing occasional rear passenger space. Its design focused on maximizing interior space within a small footprint, and it featured a relatively high roofline for improved headroom.
Engine & Performance
The Suzuki Splash 1.0 was powered by the K10B 997 cc inline-four cylinder petrol engine. This engine, a staple in several Suzuki models, was known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. Producing 65 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 90 Nm (66.38 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4800 rpm, the engine provided adequate power for city driving but was not designed for rapid acceleration. The power-to-weight ratio stood at 16.2 kg/Hp, and the torque-to-weight ratio was 11.7 kg/Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) took 14.7 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h (99.42 mph). The engine featured a multi-port fuel injection system and a naturally aspirated configuration, contributing to its simplicity and reliability. The engine’s displacement of 997 cm3 (60.84 cu. in.) and a compression ratio of 10:1 further optimized its fuel economy.
Design & Features
The Suzuki Splash featured a practical and functional design. Its five-door hatchback body style offered easy access to both the front and rear seats. The interior was designed to maximize space, with a relatively upright seating position and a flexible cargo area. The rear seats could be folded down to increase luggage capacity from a minimum of 178 liters (6.29 cu. ft.) to a maximum of 1050 liters (37.08 cu. ft.). Safety features included an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as standard equipment. The Splash’s dimensions – a length of 3715 mm (146.26 in.), a width of 1680 mm (66.14 in.), and a height of 1590 mm (62.6 in.) – positioned it as a compact vehicle ideal for navigating congested urban streets. Hydraulic power steering was also standard, aiding maneuverability. The vehicle rode on 15-inch wheels with tire size 185/60 R15.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Suzuki |
| Model | Splash |
| Generation | Splash |
| Type (Engine) | 1.0 (65 Hp) |
| Start of production | 2008 |
| End of production | 2012 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 5.9 l/100 km (39.9 US mpg, 47.9 UK mpg, 16.9 km/l) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 4.4 l/100 km (53.5 US mpg, 64.2 UK mpg, 22.7 km/l) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 5 l/100 km (47 US mpg, 56.5 UK mpg, 20 km/l) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 14.7 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 14.7 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 14 sec |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (99.42 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 4 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 16.2 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 11.7 kg/Nm |
| Power | 65 Hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 65.2 Hp/l |
| Torque | 90 Nm @ 4800 rpm (66.38 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | K10B |
| Engine displacement | 997 cm3 (60.84 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 68 mm (2.68 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 68.6 mm (2.7 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | OHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 2.9 l (3.06 US qt | 2.55 UK qt) |
| Coolant | 4.4 l (4.65 US qt | 3.87 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1050 kg (2314.85 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 1485 kg (3273.86 lbs.) |
| Max load | 435 kg (959.01 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 178 l (6.29 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 1050 l (37.08 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45 l (11.89 US gal | 9.9 UK gal) |
| Length | 3715 mm (146.26 in.) |
| Width | 1680 mm (66.14 in.) |
| Height | 1590 mm (62.6 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2360 mm (92.91 in.) |
| Front track | 1460 mm (57.48 in.) |
| Rear (Back) track | 1470 mm (57.87 in.) |
| Minimum turning circle | 9.4 m (30.84 ft.) |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 gears, manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Independent, type McPherson with coil spring and anti-roll bar |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 185/60 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 15 |
The Suzuki Splash, while not a vehicle commonly found in the US market, represented a practical and economical choice for European buyers seeking a compact and versatile city car. Its focus on fuel efficiency, interior space, and affordability made it a popular option in its segment.
