The Suzuki Solio (Japanese: スズキ・ソリオ) is a mini MPV produced and marketed by Suzuki since 1997. The preceding model and the first generation Solio were derived from the narrower Wagon R; it was widened mainly for export markets and was originally sold as the Wagon R-Wide or Wagon R Plus.
Predecessor: Wagon R-Wide (MA61S/MB61S; 1997)
The predecessor to the Solio, the Wagon R-Wide, was introduced in February 1997, as a slightly larger version of the Wagon R, exceeding the kei car specifications, with larger engines of 1 or 1.2 litres. The Wagon R-Wide was sold as the Wagon R+ in the European market (also introduced in the same year) with the atmospheric versions of the 1.0 K10A and the 1.2 K12A. The only other tall wagon style car sold in Europe around the time of its introduction was the Daihatsu Move. The car was made in Japan. It was not galvanised and it was prone to rust, especially in the sills, after years of use in Central and Northern Europe. The Wagon R-Wide was slightly facelifted in May 1998, and this updated Wagon R-Wide was also sold in Europe under Wagon R+. In Europe, the first-generation Wagon R+ was sold from 1997 until May 2000.
The engines were the 996 cc K10A, in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms, or the later 1171 cc naturally aspirated K12A. The naturally aspirated K10A produces 65 PS and 88 Nm. The turbocharged version was only available in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia; it puts out 100 PS and 118 Nm. The 1.2-litre K12A engine produces 70 PS and 93 Nm. The larger engine was the only one offered in conjunction with four-wheel drive in Europe.
Between 1999 and 2001, it was also built in Colombia by GM Colmotores