American
Suzuki On The Move. |
More
Concepts and Sales Than Ever Before, Suzuki is on The Move. |
Editor: Eric Bewley
Photo: ASMC |
BREA, CA - American Suzuki has been very busy the past
year bringing new product to market and also new concept vehicles
into the arena of ideas. From the beefy "Dune" concept
Grand Vitara to a sporty Xbox inspired "SXbox" SX4, Suzuki
has been pumping out some great new concepts.

2006 was a strong year for
American Suzuki. They achieved more sales than ever before in their
history as well as cranked out more interesting custom concepts then the
last few years combined. Let's look at some of the innovative vehicles
that Suzuki have produced this year.
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BaseCamp
Built
by the Carlab of Orange, Calif., and based
on the 2007 XL7, the BaseCamp concept offers cutting-edge design and
technology to fulfill the needs of outdoor enthusiasts.
The BaseCamp’s exterior is blanketed with liquid metal body
paint and finished with titanium cladding around the perimeter of
the vehicle, which also is easily converted to a catwalk for
unprecedented upper vehicle access and storage.
The
concept features a unique gullwing passenger side door that when
opened, reveals a warm, inviting, modern interior room and
attachable peninsula bar work station with full media connectivity,
including Wi-Fi Internet access, Bluetooth integration and iPod®¹/MP3
capabilities.
The BaseCamp also features a custom roof rack system with an
integrated dual slot bike rack and Santa Cruz mountain bikes, eight
high-intensity LED light clusters, including a unique “down”
lighting system, an enclosed cargo/luggage area and forward-mounted
miniature camera. After
arriving at a campsite, a modern canopy with carbon fiber frame can
be attached to the roof rack, keeping adventurers dry in inclement
weather or protecting against the sun, and creating a welcoming
ambiance for visitors. |
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SXBox
Built
by ASC of Huntington Beach, Calif., and based on the all-new SX4
compact sport X-over (crossover), the SXBox is designed for ultimate
video game enthusiasts. The
Suzuki SX4 concept receives mild performance upgrades, including
high-flow airbox/intake, cat-back exhaust, an enhanced suspension
and multi-piston alloy brake calipers mated to cross-drilled, vented
rotors.
The
SXBox also is equipped with an impressive, high-performance wheel
and tire package, providing gamers with the means to get to the
nearest gaming competition. When
parked, the SXBox’s pearl white exterior is illuminated courtesy
of a green LED accent kit
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Zuk
Inspired
by Suzuki’s world-renowned, championship-winning sportbikes, and
derived from the new SX4 sport X-over, the Zuk concept offers solid
functionality both on the road and the track.
Built by Road Race Motorsports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.,
the sporty 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.
Designed
for ultimate street performance, the stunning SX4 concept features a
sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability
and crisp handling characteristics.
The Zuk features Suzuki Hayabusa and GSX-R-inspired bodywork,
ground effects, mirrors, spoiler and exhaust, all wrapped in blue
metallic paint and carbon fiber.
Framing accent lights highlight the Zuk’s motorcycle-themed
structure and cage, while strategically placed openings reveal the
vehicle’s powertrain, wheels, tires and chassis details.
The fully drivable and track-tested Zuk is equipped with a
fully tuned performance suspension system, 19-inch alloy wheels and
high-performance tires.
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Blizzard
The
“Blizzard” Grand Vitara is designed to fulfill the needs of
people with active lifestyles focused on snow sports.
With a 2.7-liter turbocharged Suzuki engine, full-time
four-mode four-wheel drive system and wide grip studded snow tires,
the “Blizzard” is equipped to handle just about any road
condition.
The Grand Vitara concept offers a dockable iPod station, an
in-car video and gaming system and in-car Internet access, allowing
passengers to check snow conditions on the way to the mountain.
In the rear, the vehicle offers chairlift-style seating for
gearing up for the slopes and removing and drying gear afterwards.
The “Blizzard” is equipped with built-in glove and boot
warmers and ventilated wet gear storage in the rear cargo area.
The “Blizzard” also features a custom roof rack system
with enclosed, backlit snowboard pods and a television camera to let
the driver keep an eye on his/her snow equipment.
Perhaps
the most impressive part about the Bilzzard concept is the engine
specifications: Engine Type: 2.7-liter, six-cylinder, 24-valve DOHC,
twin turbo stainless steel headers,
large front mount intercooler Materials:
Aluminum cylinder block/aluminum cylinder heads Displacement:
2.7 liters (2,736cc/167 cu. in.) Bore
x stroke: 88.0 x 75.0/3.46-in. x 2.95-in. Compression
ratio: 7.1:1 Horsepower: 357 @
6,000 RPM Torque: 344 @ 4,500 RPM
Valves per cylinder: Two Fuel
system: Electronic multi-port fuel injection, variable induction
system (VIS) with in-tank fuel
pump Exhaust: Stainless steel, dual exhaust |




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Dune
The
“Dune” Grand Vitara is designed for off-road enthusiasts who
demand off-road capabilities.
Well-equipped with 26 inches of ground clearance and a towing
capacity of 3,000 lbs., the “Dune” provides enough muscle to add
a huge dose of exhilaration to any weekend.
The exterior features flared fenders and integrated cladding
and running boards, all dressed in lightening yellow paint to match
the color scheme of Suzuki ATVs.
Roomy on the inside, the five-passenger “Dune” features a
rear off-road gear storage and “mobile garage” work station,
ideal for last-minute adjustments.
The “Dune” also offers a built-in GPS and navigation
system. |
| Splash
The Splash is a Euro based concept
based on the same platform as the Swift supermini, and should also
create waves with a different body as the next-generation Vauxhall
Agila.
With a Swift-style front end and a neat profile, the Splash is a
funky city car and its tall cabin certainly promises plenty of room
inside.
The distinctive grille and bulging wheel arches help set it apart
from rivals such as the Fiat Idea and Renault Modus. The road going
version is expected to hit showrooms in 2007, and the supermini-MPV
will only be offered as a five-door. With a new 1.2-litre petrol
engine under its bonnet, buyers can expect peppy performance, while
prices will start at around £9,000. Suzuki describes the Splash as
a car for everybody, claiming fine handling and long-distance
cruising comfort as standard. |




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Wave
The “Wave” Grand Vitara offers innovative
design and technology to watersports enthusiasts.
The unique frame design of the “Wave” resembles a
convertible SUV with all the capabilities of the all-new Grand
Vitara and more. With a
towing capacity of 3,000 lbs., the Grand Vitara concept is designed
to pull a boat or jet skis for lake-bound enthusiasts.
In addition, the “Wave” offers an in-dash GPS and
navigation system to help adventurers find their way to the latest
sporting event or watercraft launching spot.
The “Wave” also is equipped with built-in monitors in the
rear headrests for ultimate passenger enjoyment.
Other features include, nautical-themed railing doors, a
tailgate-friendly removable, wheeled barbeque and food cooler and
rear-facing television camera to help hook up a boat trailer. |
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WRC
SX4
Concept,
recently introduced at the Geneva International Motor
Show, is another all-new and revolutionary concept from
Suzuki. The WRC racing version of the SX4 is currently being
developed and is scheduled to be entered in WRC competition
beginning in August 2007.
The
Suzuki SX4 WRC Concept is an important marketing and sales
tool for Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). As a major and
growing manufacturer of vehicles that are versatile and
fun to drive, the Suzuki SX4 WRC project
will increase Suzuki’s brand
identity and provide technical feedback to assist in refining
future models as a part of Suzuki’s global product development
program. Created from the
production model of the Suzuki SX4, the WRC
racing version will be further developed and tested to increase
its competitive potential. Technical
details of the new Suzuki SX4 WRC will be announced
prior to its first competitive appearance. Currently, development
of its power unit and powertrain are well advanced,
and the prototype car is equipped with a new 2.0-liter
turbocharged, four-cylinder, J20 engine. The engine currently
delivers 320 bhp at 4,500 rpm. The
new all-wheel-drive system developed for the SX4 WRC Concept
includes front and rear mechanical differentials and an electronic
differential located in the center. Power is transmitted via
a five-speed sequential gearbox. |

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For us, the Grand Vitara
"Dune" concept and the WRC SX4 create the most excitement. For
these vehicles capture the adventuresome spirit and winning character of
Suzuki enthusiasts. Looking towards the future, we all have our fingers
crossed for the release of the upcoming and as of yet unnamed Suzuki Pickup
for the North American market. Will this be a new platform for overland
adventure enthusiasts and weekend warriors while suiting the every day
utilitarian needs of 'Joe Six-Pack'? We anxiously await the answer...
ZW
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