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NEWS: Lancia gets Suzuki SUV variant

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Offline ebewley

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NEWS: Lancia gets Suzuki SUV variant
« on: September 14, 2005, 07:00:45 AM »
Lancia gets Suzuki SUV variant
Published 08/29/2005 in Automotive News

Born as a two-brand project two years ago, the new medium-SUV program of Suzuki and Fiat will add a third marque: Lancia.

From an earlier article on Channel4.com:









New Models: Fiat calling 4x4 "Sedici"; returning to profit, developing new tech
From: Channel4.com
 
Fiat's upcoming new compact 4x4, co-developed with Suzuki's SX4 (pictured; see link below), is to be called "Sedici". This means "sixteen" in Italian - "four by four". A Fiat representative told 4car at the launch of the new-generation Punto this week that the Giugiaro-styled Sedici "looks more like an off-roader than the Suzuki model", with a more rugged image, though the two vehicles, both using underpinnings derived from the Suzuki Swift supermini, will be essentially the same underneath the surface bar model-specific tuning and tweaking. They are likely to have the same Suzuki-built petrol engines (a 99bhp 1.5-litre and 107bhp 1.6) and Fiat's 1.9 JTD diesel (120bhp). He described the Sedici as "(Toyota) RAV4-sized", and confirmed that it will be first revealed, alongside the Suzuki, in November in advance of the Bologna Motor Show, which opens to the public on 3rd December; launch of the final production models will be at next spring's Geneva Motor Show.

The two 4x4s - Suzuki's is yet unnamed, though it may keep its codename of SX4 - will be produced at Suzuki's factory near Budapest, Hungary, and Fiat is estimating that it will produce 25,000 Sedicis a year. The Sedici will fit in the Fiat range above the upcoming Panda SUV and the four-wheel drive Panda already on sale; there will be no Punto 4x4, but a crossover-style SUV based on the next-generation Stilo, larger than the Sedici, is said to be on the drawing board.
Fiat threw a lavish launch for the Grande Punto this week, attended by over 1000 international journalists and special guests, including the Cardinal of Turin and Italian celebrities and politicians. Happily, the company had some good news to share: in a passionate and eloquent speech, Fiat Auto chairman Luca di Montezemolo announced that Fiat was in track to return to profit. "We are coming to the end of an important year", he said. "After uncertainty and concern, at the end of the year Fiat will close with a positive net profit. This is an important achievement& we have kept our commitments and are looking to the future." Some local Turin residents were less convinced, however, staging a small protest against job cuts outside the Palavera conference centre where the launch was based.

It has been confirmed, though, that Fiat is to make a huge investment in revitalizing the Lancia brand, with both a new Delta range and the Fulvietta roadster now signed off for production. Cashflow will be aided partly by a joint venture deal Fiat is about to sign, the first of a series of new strategic alliances; the company has refused to name the other manufacturers with whom it is to work, but has stated that the first major partnership, to be formally announced by the end of the year, will not, contrary to rumour, be with an Asian company.

Further news from Fiat is that it is currently working on a patented camless engine technology it is calling "Uniair". This is similar to BMW's Valvetronic system, and is suitable for use in both petrol and diesel engines; it gives greater control over valve opening and closing, with hydraulic actuation of the inlet and exhaust valves with each valve independently controllable. Developed by the same team that produced the first direct-injection diesel engines and then Fiat's latest Multijet diesel injection technology, Uniair is said to offer much-improved torque and economy, plus much-lowered emissions, compared to engines using the current camshaft-driven valve technology. It is to appear in production engines in around three years' time, and Fiat is to guard its benefits; unlike common-rail technology and the Multijet system, Uniair will not be licenced as a propriety system, but instead will be supplied - at higher cost - for specific applications to other manufacturers. "Fiat owns the intellectual property rights", said a spokesman. "This will provide a little income stream."

Eric L. Bewley                               
Editor, ZUKIWORLD Online                   

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Offline Autobot

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Re: NEWS: Lancia gets Suzuki SUV variant
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2005, 04:11:14 PM »
That's pretty cool. Doesn't look like it would do much offroad, but I like the design. Though I suppose we won't see them over here in the U.S. at least for a while (if ever).
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Offline cj

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Re: NEWS: Lancia gets Suzuki SUV variant
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2005, 04:41:47 PM »
It's a front wheel drive that brings the rear into play if it detects slip so I don't think you'll be seeing them offroad.