Suzuki Fronte

Fronte 360 sedan
Overview
Production	03.1967–10.1970
Assembly	Kosai Assembly Plant, Hamana-gun, Shizuoka, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan
Layout	RR layout
Powertrain
Engine	356 cc LC10 two-stroke I3 475 cc LC50 two-stroke I3 (export only)
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1,960 mm (77.2 in)
Length	2,995 mm (117.9 in)
Width	1,295 mm (51.0 in)
Height	1,290 mm (50.8 in)
Curb weight	425 kg (937 lb)

Fronte 7-S
Fronte 7-S, SS10 Super Deluxe
Overview
Also called	Suzuki SS10, SS20
Production	05.1976–04.1979
Assembly	Kosai Assembly Plant, Hamana-gun, Shizuoka, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2/4-door hatchback
Layout	RR layout
Related	Suzuki Cervo
Powertrain
Engine	443 cc T4A 2-stroke I3 (SS10/12) 539 cc T5A 2-stroke I3 (SS20) 547 cc Daihatsu AB10 I2 (SS11)
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Length	3,190 mm (125.6 in)
Width	1,395 mm (54.9 in)
Height	1,300 mm (51.2 in)
Curb weight	520–555 kg (1,146–1,224 lb)

Fronte (SS30/40)
Suzuki Fronte SS40S
Overview
Also called	Suzuki Alto Suzuki FX Maruti 800
Production	1979–1984
Assembly	Kosai Assembly Plant, Hamana-gun, Shizuoka, Japan Karachi, Pakistan Nairobi, Kenya
Body and chassis
Body style	3/5-door hatchback
Related	Suzuki Cervo
Powertrain
Engine	539 cc T5B two-stroke I3 (SS30) 543 cc F5A SOHC I3 (SS40) 796 cc F8B SOHC I3 (SS80)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,150 mm (85 in)
Length	3,195 mm (125.8 in)
Width	1,395 mm (54.9 in)
Height	1,335 mm (52.6 in)
Curb weight	570 kg (1,260 lb)

Fronte (CB71)
Early Fronte 5d CB71S
Overview
Also called	Suzuki FX Maruti 800
Production	1984-1988
Assembly	Hamana-gun, Shizuoka, Japan Karachi, Pakistan Nairobi, Kenya
Body and chassis
Body style	3/5-door hatchback
Powertrain
Engine	543 cc F5A SOHC I3 (SS40) 796 cc F8B SOHC I3 (SS80)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,175 mm (85.6 in)
Length	3,195 mm (125.8 in)
Width	1,395 mm (54.9 in)
Height	1,410 mm (56 in)
Curb weight	590 kg (1,300 lb)

The Suzuki Fronte (Japanese: スズキ・フロンテ) is an automobile that was first introduced in March 1962 as a sedan version of the Suzulight Van. The nameplate remained in use for Suzuki's Kei car sedans as well as some other commercial-use vehicles until it was replaced by the Alto name (originally only used for commercial vehicles) in September 1988.

The Suzulight Van-based TLA Fronte was introduced in March 1962 as a passenger car version of the popular light van. The Suzulight Fronte was based on the earlier Suzulight SS series, itself a fairly straightforward copy of the even older Lloyd LP400, and as such had a transversely mounted two-cylinder, two-stroke engine driving the front wheels. Suspension was independent on all four wheels, with transverse double leafsprings on both axes. 2,565 were built in the first year. Power was 25 PS (18 kW) at 6000 rpm, from a unique engine (also called "TLA") with its cylinders cast separately rather than in a single block. Of 360 cc (64.0 × 56.0 mm) this method allowed for a lower production cost and better cooling, allowing Suzuki to price the TLA below the more spartan TL Van. As with the light commercials on which it was based, the transmission was a three-speed manual with an unsynchronized first gear and a column-mounted shifter.

After only one year's production of the TLA, the new FEA engine appeared, featuring the SELMIX automatic lubrication system, improved fuel economy and eliminated the need for pre-mixed gasoline for the two-stroke engine. Power was down somewhat, to 21 PS (15 kW). This was counteracted by the installation of a new, all-synchronized four-speed gearbox.

In May 1963, two of the recently introduced FE-powered Suzuki Frontes came in first and second in their class at the inaugural Japanese Grand Prix (Class C1, for engines with less than 400 cc), with an average speed of 89.763 km/h (55.776 mph). Two more Frontes came in fourth and eighth places. The winning driver was Osamu Mochizuki (望月 修) who crossed the finish line just ahead of teammate Haruhisa Fujita (藤田 晴久), both a full minute ahead of the third-placed Subaru 360. The fastest lap was also made by a Fronte, by eighth-place finisher Isamu Kawashima, who managed a lap speed of 90.72 km/h (56.37 mph) around the 6 km (3.7 mi) course.