‘Smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter, magnificence’ is a Suzuki company philosophy that pertains to the corporate’s compact vehicles, just like the new-generation Swift that I just lately drove.

Obviously they are saying it in Japanese (‘sho-sho-kei-tan-bi’), however the mindset interprets to the Swift being 3.8 metres lengthy, so shorter than most superminis, and weighing lower than a tonne, so lighter than most by a margin too.

“We’re good at making small cars,” notes Dale Wyatt, director of Suzuki Cars UK. But if there’s a sense that the model flies beneath the radar in Europe, the place it’s a comparatively area of interest participant and the Vitara SUV tends to be its best-seller, it isn’t as understated elsewhere.

Suzuki sells extra vehicles in Japan’s kei small automobile phase than anybody, at greater than 400,000 per yr, whereas its Maruti Suzuki subsidiary is by far the largest automobile maker in India, the place it usually has six or seven of the highest 10 best-selling vehicles, together with your complete prime 4 in 2023 (each the Swift and the Wagon R promote greater than 200,000 per yr there).

I’ve been occupied with little vehicles so much since driving the Swift and, the week earlier than that, the Silence S04 electrical quadricycle, which is even smaller (measuring 1.29m huge by 2.28m lengthy) and lighter (weighing simply 450kg).

I’ve been questioning, partly in response to a letter from reader Clive Acaster concerning the Renault Twizy and Citroën Ami being ‘not enough car’: simply how large is ‘enough’ and what does ‘enough car’ appear to be?

Could it’s the S04? It has two seats, a neat boot, correct doorways, movable seats, a heater, air-con, loudspeakers and electrical home windows, it could possibly do greater than 50mph and it may be recharged as shortly as you’ll be able to pull out its two batteries and slide in new ones – as quick as filling a gasoline tank.

That must be sufficient, however it isn’t. In reality, its narrowness confers few on-road benefits. Romans constructed roads in order that two animal-drawn carts may go one another, at round six metres huge, and we haven’t moved removed from the thought since.

So in contrast to a bike, which may cut up lanes, the two-person-wide S04 received’t get you locations any faster than another automobile.

And whereas I loved it vastly, it isn’t sufficient like a traditional supermini, such because the Swift, on all roads. For me, ‘enough car’ must deal with any sort of UK street and cruise fortunately, somewhat than prime out at, the pace restrict. So ‘enough’ is as a lot about efficiency as measurement.

A Caterham Seven 170 could be ‘enough’ automobile for me 90% of the time. It could be a bind when it’s moist and chilly. But regardless of that, I believe the Seven can also be one of the fascinating vehicles on sale. In normal, I discover the thought of ‘enough car’ presents actual satisfaction and pleasure.