Suzuki Swift Super 1600

For once, I claim I'm not responsible for this: my friends Boo54, J-F and Teamneogordini are guilty!

Lately, we had an on-road run even I generally prefer off-roading or rallying with my Ford Focus WRC. Problem is we are currently searching for a new place to run off-road since the previous place is no longer good at anything. So, we met for a cool afternoon of tarmac driving. I came with my Citroën Xsara WRC and my Lancia Delta HF prepared for on-road.

Everything went perfect but my friends are smart: these rascals gave me an M-chassis for a try. I never considered this chassis class before as I considered them boring mini skateboards only suitable for fans of the famous Austin Mini. Well, let me tell you they're nothing better than mini skateboards... but terribly fun to drive. Fun, really fun to drive: they're very light, sharp cornering, quick and they literally stick to the tarmac.

Result is I had a great fun and that you're reading the consequence of this try. My advice: never try an M-chassis! And don't trust yours friends . laughing.

Major update of the article in December 2011 

 

The M-Chassis family

In 2006, the Suzuki Swift Super 1600 inaugurated the M-03M chassis that can only be found on one other model released in 2009.

 

58368 Suzuki Swift Super 1600

Tamiya 58368 Suzuki Swift Super 1600

58427 Fiat 500

Tamiya 58427 Fiat 500

 Photos © Tamiya 

 

But this chassis already existed in slightly different versions. The basis is the 1999 M-03 chassis that was lately declined in M-03L (2000) and M-03M (2006). Letters refer to the chassis length, more exactly the wheelbase (distance between front and rear wheels). These 3 dimensions are meant to adapt different bodyshells on the chassis: for realism and respect of the original dimensions when reduced to the 1/10th scale, Tamiya makes the chassis wheelbase vary. All lengths are not available for every M-chassis generation, but they always respect the same wheelbase values.

  • "short" version (no letter): 210 mm
  • "medium" version (M): 225 mm
  • "long" version (L): 239 mm

The M-chassis series is not new in Tamiya product range since it first appeared back in 1994 with the M-01. And the saga still continues today. Apart from changing the chassis wheelbase, Tamiya also swapped between front and rear wheel drive. To make it simple, an even numbered chassis is front wheel driven and an odd numbered chassis is rear wheel driven.

Photo gallery of the M-chassis saga by generation:

 

M-01 (1994-1997)

58149
Rover Mini Cooper
(M-01)

Tamiya 58149 Rover Mini Cooper

58163
Rover Mini Cooper Rally
(M-01)

Tamiya 58163 Rover Mini Cooper Rally Rally 94

58196
Honda S-MX Lowdown
(M-01M)

Tamiya 58196 Honda S-MX Lowdown

 

 

M-02 (1995-1997)

58158
Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR
(M-02)

Tamiya 58158 Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR

58168
Alpine A110
(M-02)

Tamiya 58168 Alpine A110

58173
Volkswagen Beetle
(M-02L)

Tamiya 58173 Volkswagen Beetle

58175
Honda S800 Racing
(M-02)

Tamiya 58175 Honda S800 Racing

58180
Mazda Eunos Roadster
(M-02L)

Tamiya 58180 Mazda Eunos Roadster

58187
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint
(M-02L)

Tamiya 58187 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint

58197
Porsche Boxster
(M-02L)

Tamiya 58197 Porsche Boxster

58202
Mercedes-Benz SLK
(M-02L)

Tamiya 58202 Mercedes-Benz SLK

58208
Porsche 911 Carrera
(M-02L)

Tamiya 58208 Porsche 911 Carrera

 

 

M-03 (1998-2009)

58211
Rover Mini Cooper Racing
(M-03)

Tamiya 58211 Rover Mini Cooper Racing

58234
Suzuki Wagon R RR
(M-03)

Tamiya 58234 Suzuki Wagon R RR

58265
Toyota bB
(M-03L)

Tamiya 58265 Toyota bB

58295
Mini Cooper
(M-03L)

Tamiya 58295 Mini Cooper

58368
Suzuki Swift Super 1600
(M-03M)

Tamiya 58368 Suzuki Swift Super 1600

58400
Mini Cooper S 2006
(M-03L)

Tamiya 58400 Mini Cooper S 2006

58427
Fiat 500
(M-03M)

Tamiya 58427 Fiat 500

 

 

M-04 (1999-2007)

58236
Honda S2000
(M-04L)

Tamiya 58236 Honda S2000

58240
BMW "M" Roadster
(M-04L)

Tamiya 58240 BMW M Roadster

58307
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint
(M-04M)

Tamiya 58307 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint

58325
Eunos Roadster
(M-04M)

Tamiya 58325 Eunos Roadster

58383
Volkswagen Beetle
(M-04L)

Tamiya 58383 Volkswagen Beetle

 

 

M-05 (2009- )

58438
Mini Cooper Racing

Tamiya 58438 Mini Cooper Racing

58443
M-05 Pro Chassis Kit

Tamiya 58443 M-05 Pro Chassis Kit

58444
Fiat Abarth 500 Assetto

Tamiya 58444 Fiat Abarth 500 Assetto

58453
Alfa Romeo MiTo

Tamiya 58453 Alfa Romeo MiTo

58454
Honda S800 Racing

Tamiya 58454 Honda S800 Racing

58464
Suzuki Swift Super 1600

Tamiya 58464 Suzuki Swift Super 1600

58465
Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR

Tamiya 58465 Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR

58471
Alpine A110

Tamiya 58471 Alpine A110

58483
Mini Cooper '94 Monte Carlo

Tamiya 58483 Mini Cooper 94 Monte Carlo

58503
Honda Ballade Sports Mugen

Tamiya 58503 Honda Ballade Sports Mugen

58520
Mini JCW Coupé

Tamiya 58520 Mini JCW Coupé

58581
GoPro Monster Sport Super Swift

Tamiya 58581 GoPro Monster Sport Super Swift

58593
M05 Ver. II PRO Chassis Kit

Tamiya 58593 M05 Ver. II PRO Chassis Kit

 

 

M-06 (2010- )

58460
M-06 Pro

Tamiya 58460 M-06 Pro

58486
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA

Tamiya 58486 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA

58493
Mazda RX-7

Tamiya 58493 Mazda RX-7

58532
Nissan Silvia S16

Tamiya 58532 Nissan Silvia S16

58572
Volkswagen Beetle

Tamiya 58572 Volkswagen Beetle

58591
Renault Alpine A110 Monte Carlo

Tamiya 58591 Renault Alpine A110 Monte Carlo

58594
Lowride Pumpkin

Tamiya 58594 Lowride Pumpkin

 

The M-chassis now lasts for over 15 years and is still growing. Some models are dressed with famous bodyshells like the Alpine A110, the Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR and of course, Mini and Volkswagen Beetle both original and the later renewed versions. Unfortunately,Tamiya didn't always respect the real transmission drive used by original cars when adapting them to the M-chassis, especially since the introduction of the M-05. About this, M-05 and M-06 chassis have lost their suffix despite the bodyshells have different wheelbases: all these chassis including the required spacers to modify the wheelbase, Tamiya now finds it useless to mention it.

Since 2010, Tamiya made a rally version that was expected for long by fans who had to recut Rally Block tires to fit them on M rims or to be lucky to find the so rare Enroute tires. The rallye version (Ra suffix) features additional protections in order to limit dust projections over the chassis.

Please note that the knowledge of the members is the source of most of the information for this M-chassis saga. Thanks mates!

Now it's time to build this Suzuki Swift Super 1600. I'll begin with the bodyshell since I will start assembling the chassis as the different paint coats dry.

 

FlickR