Suzuki Cervo

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Suzuki Cervo

Manufacturer	Suzuki

The Suzuki SC100 was a car manufactured by Suzuki and launched in 1979^{[citation needed]} in the UK and Holland. It was the first passenger car sold in the UK by the newly set up Heron Suzuki four wheel division^{[citation needed]}. Clever marketing and advertising led to the car being given the name "Whizzkid". It was not, however, the first four-wheeled vehicle sold by the new network of four-wheel dealers. They were already selling LJ80 4x4 off road vehicles and ST80 vans and pick-ups. Only one trim level of the SC100 was ever sold (GX). Price when new in 1979 was £2,400.

From its launch demand outstripped supply due to the car’s sporty looks, design, and value for money. However, in 1982 the Cervo in Japan was discontinued in favor of the new front engined front wheel drive Cervo (sold in the UK as the Alto). So in 1982, after just 4696 cars had been imported and sold in the United Kingdom, the SC100 ceased production. There was only one spec change during this period, which was to slightly modify the dashboard and column switches in January 1980. Early cars are now extremely rare.

Suzuki was the first company to offer a Keicar in 1955. One interesting departure from other Keicars was the Cervo of 1972. It was a 2+2 coupe based on the rear-engine Suzuki Fronte, measuring just 126 in (320 cm) long. It used a 539 cc two-stroke engine developing 28 hp (21 kW) and had a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h).

For export, Suzuki transformed the Cervo into the SC100 GX, which was known in England by its nickname, Whizzkid. The 2-cylinder engine was replaced by a rear-mounted 970 cc 4-cylinder Suzuki Alto engine developing 47 hp (35 kW).

It sold for a bargain price, too, and at this level no European maker had ever offered the SC100's lavish list of equipment: tachometer, reclining front seats, cigar lighter, front disc brakes and all-round independent suspension. Suzuki's British importers sold all the cars they could from 1979 to 1982, and now it has minor classic status.