Suzuki GT2win by Ducks-Garden

We'll get to the “GT2win by Ducks-Garden” portion in a little bit. First, the Suzuki Twin.

Though I'm 6'1", I adore small cars. It’s appealing to me when the bare minimum machine required for a purpose.

Well. Perhaps not always. I've driven the Peel P50…it…was…horrible. Tootling around wasn't so terrible, though its inline gear selector (like a scooter) and exhaust fumes-filled cabin took some getting used to. 

Whether you believe small cars are inherently less safe or that they’re safe because they’re smaller targets to hit, I promise: no matter how small the car, when you mount an engine inside the cabin and beside a driver, as in the Peel P50, it’s a death trap.

As a former owner of the Citroën 2CV, Fiat 500 Abarth, and smart fortwo (451), I think I'd really like the Twin, although it's kind of like a traditional hatchback that shrunk in the wash instead of being constructed in some new and clever way. 

It's similar in size to its German rival, but with a front engine and front-wheel-drive. Despite being slightly longer than the fortwo, the Twin is significantly lighter. How much lighter? At their respective lightest, the little Suzuki weighs in at up to 170 kg (375 lbs) less than the fortwo. That's amazing. 

The Twin's name doesn't come from its three-cylinder, 660cc engine. At 44 horsepower, it's not going to set the world alight. Even with an available 5-speed manual transmission (or a 3-speed(!) automatic) highways are probably a struggle.

I say 'probably' because the most extensive driving impressions I've been able to track down were of the Twin Hybrid—featuring a seven horsepower electric motor and an extra gear added to the 3-speed automatic version. 

Auto Bild put its top speed at 120 km/h (74 mph.) Hell, my old Citroën 2CV and its 29 horsepower could do that (sometimes).

Inside, the Twin's simple, hard plastics and dreadful fit and finish are almost charmingly simple today. At this size, you take what you can get: the Twin has a flat-folding passenger seat and a single power window. 

When Car & Driver took one for a spin, they said, “Either way, this mobile mailbox is as slow as the tortoise it resembles, with interior furnishings apparently sourced from a discount lawn-furniture outlet and the storage space of a briefcase.”

When big opinions and expectations come from small car reviews, I often wonder if the first draft was brought to the office in the author’s anal cavity and not the test car's too-tiny trunk.

It’s a small, cheap little chiclet of a car — as a discount patio set, 120 km/h, A/C and weather protection ain’t bad.

Why bother with the Suzuki Twin, anyway? It’s amazing maneuverability, low emissions, and fuel use at a just 2.9 L/100km (80 mpg). 

That wasn't enough for buyers, though, and the Twin was discontinued after just two years. Blame how in Japan, the Twin was up against hundreds of distinct, similarly-sized kei models that were more practical, powerful, or efficient…sometimes, all three.

And so we come to the Suzuki GT2win by Ducks-Garden, a body kit that tuner Ducks-Garden produced for the little kei car. 

That’s all this “car” is: front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts, and decals fitted to a Suzuki Twin.

If Tamagotchi made a 911 GT3, this would be it. Try not to laugh, but the Ducks Garden kit is still being offered for sale — and the Suzuki Twin is still just happy to be here. 

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