Small But Mighty
Designed to meet kei car regulations, what sets this example apart is its turbocharged engine and how, with a few choice mods, it transforms into an incredibly playful sports car.
Recently imported for one of our personal import customers, read on to find out what makes this particular Cappuccino so special.
A Japanese-Built Pocket Rocket
The modifications began in Japan with a fairly major overhaul, focusing heavily on handling. BRK (Bariki) front and rear tower strut bars were fitted, along with a set of coilovers. The chassis is already light, thanks to aluminium bonnet, roof, and roll bars whichg brings the total weight to just around 725kg. Add the lowered ride height and increased rigidity, and it now behaves like a go-kart!
Before boarding a ship to the UK, a BRK lightweight flywheel was also installed, giving the engine even sharper throttle response. Paired with an already short shift, the gear changes are now extremely satisfying.
Surprisingly Loud, Shockingly Quick
Pop the bonnet and it’s clear this isn’t your average Cappuccino. A larger turbo, injectors, intercooler, and K&N intake make for hilarious turbo and induction noises. Close your eyes and listen to it rev and it sounds more like a tuned Impreza than a 660cc kei car.
The standard output is 64bhp, but with this setup, we can only guess what kind of power this boosted 3-cylinder is now pushing.
Track-Ready Details
One of the Cappuccino’s best features is its modular roof setup. It can be configured as a full hardtop, a convertible, or a targa... which is perfect for squeezing in a helmet on a track day.
Speaking of track days, we've installed a Bride bucket seat and a much-needed quick-release carbon fibre steering wheel. It feels the part and looks the part.
To round off the handling upgrades, the car now features underbody chassis bracing, and we’ve given the brakes a full refresh. It's now prepped and ready for serious performance.
Looks to Match the Bite
Visually, it shares some similarities with a Mk2 MX-5, while the side silhouette with the hardtop oddly mimics a Honda S2000. Either way, there’s really nothing quite like it especially not on UK roads.
Now sitting on a set of white SSR alloys, it has a more aggressive stance than the usual “cute and funny” kei car aesthetic. A final detail we love is the race-style carbon Bariki wing mirrors.
