Suzuki Makai Concept Debuts At The LA Auto Show
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Sports Coupes, Suzuki
Tags: Makai
With the arrival of the 2008 SX4 Sport production vehicle, Suzuki continues to expand its highly popular and media-acclaimed Suzuki LIVE Series (LIFE VEHICLES) – a line of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers.
Video of Suzuki Showing Its All-New SX4 Sedan At NYIAS
Filed under: Auto Show Videos, New York International Auto Show, Sports Sedans, Suzuki
Blending driving excitement and performance in a stylish, head-turning package, the sporty SX4 sedan joins a growing array of spirited Suzuki products displayed at the 2007 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).
Built in Japan, the SX4 sedan features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine rated at 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque, making it more powerful than the segment volume leaders. It is available with either an automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.
The chassis of the SX4 sedan evolved from the award-winning Suzuki Swift that received numerous industry accolades worldwide, including many “Car of the Year” awards in Europe and Asia. With an emphasis on dynamic performance, the sport-tuned SX4 sedan brings the excitement of the Swift to the U.S. market. The SX4 sedan features a rigid steel unibody underpinned by a well-controlled chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe to provide stability, crisp and responsive handling and braking, and minimal body roll. For optimal braking performance, it features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as standard equipment.
The stylish design continues inside the SX4 sedan. Wide door openings provide the driver and passengers with superior ease of entry and egress, while the large cabin proportions and command seating position optimize visibility to enhance driving confidence and control. The cabin allows comfortable seating for five, with more overall interior space than the segment’s volume leaders. The SX4 sedan also features theater-style seating for the rear passengers.
A functional and high-tech center panel offers large, circular controls flanked by modern aluminum- colored trim. Instruments and controls are backlit by contemporary, high-tech red lighting, and the ergonomic design of the instrument cluster and dashboard provides clear views of the meters and easy access to the controls for a true driver-oriented cabin. The sporty cockpit theme extends throughout the cabin with a dark interior that features black cloth for a look that is both sharp and refined.
The sedan’s handsome integrated center stack also houses a sophisticated audio system – standard AM/FM/MP3/CD with four speakers. The system is XM Satellite Radio ready and offers an available premium sound system, featuring nine speakers and in-dash six-disc CD changer.
Consistent with Suzuki’s philosophy of both fun and safe driving, the SX4 sedan offers an extensive array of standard safety features, including four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Passive safety equipment includes a reinforced body with front and rear crush zones designed to help absorb impact energy and six standard airbags: driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags; and side curtain airbags designed to provide additional protection for outboard front- and rear-seat passengers. In addition, the SX4 sedan is fitted with front three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, three-point inertia reel rear seat belts and ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors.
The all-new 2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in the fall of 2007.
Video: 2008 Suzuki SX4
2007 Suzuki XL7
Filed under: New York International Auto Show, SUVs, Suzuki
Upstart Japanese brand Suzuki brought out the big guns for their press conference at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. Actually, we’re not sure if he’s related at all, but the first speaker was Toshihiro Suzuki.
The first major debut by Mr. Suzuki was the all-new XL-7 midsize SUV. Replacing the old, Tracker-based seven-seat SUV from a decade ago, this new model looks absolutely more modern. The front end styling is bold, and we think it’s attractive all around.
The new XL-7 is powered by a 3.6-liter V6, which they claim makes 65 more horsepower than the outgoing model. Features such as a DVD player and a navigation system bring the truck in line with the competition, and we expect the ride and handling to eclipse the old XL-7 by a mile.
2007 Suzuki SX4
Filed under: Economy, New York International Auto Show, Suzuki
Suzuki also showed yet another all-new vehicle in New York. The SX4 is a small sport crossover, with clean styling and a motorcycle-inspired feel. Power is provided by a 2-liter four-banger, and all-wheel-drive is standard.
