New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center hosts a special North American premiere today as American Suzuki Motor Corporation is unveiling its new 2008 SX4 sedan. 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 this year’s New York International Auto Show.
Created by the same Suzuki team that won European acclaim with the Suzuki Swift, the SX4 sedan joins the dynamic XL7 midsize crossover SUV, award- winning SX4 compact sport crossover and media-acclaimed Grand Vitara as an iconic vehicle that embodies the future direction of the Suzuki brand and the company’s “Way of Life” spirit. Its ‘poised for action’ wedge-shape stance, muscular arched fenders and standard 17-inch alloy wheels all reflect the vehicle’s eagerness to provide a spirited and responsive driving experience.
“The SX4 sedan will be one of the best-equipped compact cars in America and will perfectly complement our lineup of versatile vehicles,” said Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC automotive operations. “Since New York has been home to so many of our significant vehicle introductions, we’re delighted to return and kick off the second quarter of 2007 with the launch of Suzuki’s latest exciting product.”
The SX4 sedan arrives on the heels of an impressive 2006, when American Suzuki enjoyed sales of more than 100,000 vehicles for the first time in its 22-year history. Last year’s automotive sales were up 23 percent from 2005 and mark the company’s third consecutive double-digit annual sales increase.
2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan
Powertrain
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.
Handling
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.
Exterior Styling
Inspired by a Japanese Kabuki mask, the SX4 sedan has an aggressive front fascia and grille, and appears poised for action with a sporty wedge shape that foreshadows its rewarding driving experience. Its muscular and athletic stance is enhanced by its arched fenders, while the body features a low, rising waistline and large, triangular-shaped windows forward of the front doors to emphasize the car’s great traction and dynamic performance. The SX4 sedan also features a standard aero body kit, complete with an available rear spoiler.
Interior
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.
Safety
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.
“Suzuki LIVE Series” Vehicles
Last year, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) launched the “Suzuki LIVE Series” (LIFE VEHICLES) — a line of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers. In concert with its “Way of Life” brand proposition, promising products for active lifestyles, and to support the launch of the all-new XL7 and SX4, ASMC rolls out four all-new “Suzuki LIVE Series” vehicles for 2007, two of which will be on display at this year’s NYIAS.
To communicate the versatility of its XL7 midsize crossover SUV and SX4 X-over, which debuted last year at the NYIAS and have continued to help drive the company’s sales success, ASMC showcases two exceptional life-enthusiast- oriented concepts based on the midsize crossover and sporty compact X-over. The theater-themed XL7 concept, Flix, and sport-tuned SX4 X-over coined Zuk, offer New Yorkers a close look at Suzuki’s “Way of Life” brand spirit. Suzuki’s other two LIVE vehicles, coined BaseCamp for outdoor adventure enthusiasts and SXBox for avid gamers, are on display at various auto shows and lifestyle events around the country.
Flix
Based on the all-new 2007 XL7, the Flix concept offers film and entertainment enthusiasts the ultimate mobile movie experience. The Flix is outfitted with an unprecedented in-vehicle movie system, including an elevated 40-inch movie screen, a professional theater-quality sound system and high- density digital projection system. The interior look of the Flix resembles a contemporary private screening room, dressed in plush materials to evoke elegance and sophistication, and features red door/floor strip lighting to further enhance the in-vehicle movie experience.
Zuk
Inspired by Suzuki’s world-renowned, championship-winning sportbikes, and derived from the new SX4, the Zuk concept offers solid functionality both on the road and the track. Designed for ultimate street performance, the Zuk is powered by a 300-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine with alcohol injection system, matched to a five-speed manual transmission. The Zuk features Suzuki Hayabusa- and GSX-R-inspired bodywork, ground effects, mirrors, spoiler and exhaust, while the interior of the Zuk reveals modern sportbike-styled interior appointments reminiscent of Suzuki’s racing heritage.
Motorcycle/ATV/Marine
To fully reflect its heritage as a company that builds exciting vehicles, from automobiles to motorcycles, ATVs and outboard motors, and to support Suzuki’s current brand campaign, which embraces Americans’ widespread recognition and appreciation of the company’s motorcycles, Suzuki showcases a full line of products to fulfill the needs of all life enthusiasts, including the Boulevard M109R cruiser, GSX-R600 sportbike, DR-Z400S DualSport motorcycle, QuadRacer LT-R450 race-ready ATV, KingQuad 450 sport/utility ATV and the DF300, the world’s first 300-horsepower four-stroke outboard motor.
Suzuki XL7 Midsize Crossover SUV
The XL7 blends SUV versatility, style and safety, and features available all-wheel drive and seven-passenger, three-row seating to provide adaptability for active, mobile lifestyles. The 3.6-liter, V6, DOHC engine delivers 252 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque, and is matched to a standard five-speed automatic transmission with manumatic controls.
The XL7 has a long list of standard safety features, including four airbags; front driver and passenger airbags and side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ABS with EBD, traction control system and Electronic Stability Program(1). Standard amenities include alloy wheels, privacy glass, cruise control, remote keyless entry and air conditioning with automatic climate control. Optional features include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, sunroof, navigation system, leather and heated seats.
Four trim levels are offered: XL7, Luxury, Special and Limited. Offered in five- and seven-passenger configurations and either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive, XL7 has a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,999.
Suzuki SX4 X-over
The Suzuki SX4 was named one of the “Best Commuter Cars,” by editors of NewCarTestDrive.com and CarsDirect.com and “Best Kept Secret of 2007” by Autobytel. The SX4 is designed for those who live an adventurous life and is sure to be a year-round standout in any driving condition. The all-new SX4 features a handsome five-door hatchback design, a sophisticated standard all- wheel-drive system, excellent stability and crisp handling characteristics. Built in Japan, the SX4 features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, in-line four cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine rated at 143 horsepower. The SX4 also is fitted with intelligent all-wheel drive (i-AWD) as standard equipment. The i-AWD system operates in three modes for maximum fuel economy on dry pavement or to facilitate traction in case of snow or mud.
The SX4’s standard features include six airbags; front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags for the front and rear outboard passengers; four-wheel ABS with EBD, TPMS, front seatbelt pretensioners, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, daytime running lights, fender flares and silver bumper guards. SX4 carries an MSRP of $14,999.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
First introduced as a 2006 model, the Grand Vitara has garnered much media and consumer praise and has won numerous awards, including a “Best Buy” from Consumer Guide(2). The 2007 Grand Vitara features a standard 2.7-liter, V6, 24-valve DOHC engine, a sophisticated available Four-Mode full-time four- wheel-drive system, tough unibody construction enhanced with a built-in ladder frame and an extensive list of interior amenities and standard safety features.
The Grand Vitara comes in three trim levels: Base, XSport and Luxury. The standard five-speed manual transmission and two-wheel drive starts at an MSRP of $19,379. The Grand Vitara with Luxury Package and Four-Mode full-time four- wheel-drive system tops out at $24,999.
2007 Suzuki Product Line
Beyond Suzuki’s exciting XL7 midsize crossover SUV, Grand Vitara and functional SX4 X-over, the company’s popular and versatile line matches the needs of every lifestyle and includes the Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon, and European-styled Reno. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki’s standout virtues of toughness, leading-edge style and high-end features at very competitive prices. All 2007 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America’s #1 Warranty: 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1985 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 530 automotive dealerships in 49 states. Based in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer with sales of more than two million new vehicles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 125 countries. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com.
(1) ESP is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG
(2) Consumer Guide(R) is a registered trademark of Publications
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