Suzuki SS20 Cervo

The Suzuki SS20 Cervo was a significant entry in the sports minicar segment, following Suzuki’s earlier Fronte Coupé. Introduced in October 1977, the Cervo continued Suzuki’s legacy of innovative kei cars, combining the rear-engine layout of the earlier Fronte models with new design elements by Giugiaro’s Italdesign. This was a departure from the more utilitarian designs of other kei cars, as Suzuki sought to recapture the excitement of the mini-GT category. The Cervo used the chassis of the 1976 Suzuki Fronte 7-S but featured a more powerful 539 cc three-cylinder, two-stroke engine (T5A), which was an evolution of the engine found in the Suzuki Jimny. Despite its potential, the engine faced limitations due to emissions regulations, resulting in a reduction in power from the earlier 37 PS in the 360 cc Fronte Coupé to just 28 PS. As a result, the Cervo’s top speed was limited to 120 km/h (75 mph), with testing revealing a slightly lower figure of 111.8 km/h. The car’s acceleration was also notably sluggish, with the 0-400 m sprint taking 23 seconds. The body of the SS20 Cervo bore resemblance to the Fronte Coupé but featured modifications such as a larger front bumper and round headlights, which detracted from the sleek lines of its predecessor. The rear hatch added practicality, offering 6.9 cu ft (195 L) of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Despite these changes, the Cervo was positioned as a more affordable and practical car compared to the sporty Fronte Coupé, with equipment levels ranging from the entry-level CX to the top-of-the-line CX-G, which featured front disc brakes. The Suzuki SS20 Cervo was marketed primarily towards women, with the introduction of the CX-L variant aimed specifically at this demographic. The Cervo’s rear-engine layout contributed to a somewhat twitchy front end, making it less stable compared to front-engine vehicles. In June 1982, the rear-engine Cervo was discontinued, and the more conventionally laid-out SS40 Cervo was introduced, marking the end of an era for Suzuki’s unique mini-GT models.