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AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR MODELS FOR '08

An Overview of The New Model Year.

Editor: Eric Bewley Photo: ASMC

BREA, CA - With record sales numbers and a growing dealer base Suzuki is charging into the next model year with gusto. Capitalizing on previous success by only slightly tweaking proven models while offering some totally new choices, Suzuki is making significant progress on their sales goals. The following is a quick summary of what Suzuki is offering for '08. Please visit our "Tech Specs" section or your local dealer for more information.

XL7 - More is less with the 2008 model. In its second model year, Suzuki’s XL7 has dramatically broadened the audience for what remains Suzuki’s largest SUV. With a powerful 3.6-liter V6, available seating for seven and more convenience and luxury features than its predecessor, the XL7 hits the sweet spot in the ultra-competitive, midsize SUV segment. It does so with four (4) five-star safety ratings for driver and front passenger frontal impact, and front and rear outboard passengers side impact.

Under the hood, the Suzuki XL7 has a 3.6-liter, 24-valve V6. With variable valve timing, it delivers 252 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque. Assembled by Suzuki in Japan, this modern V6 applies many advanced engine technologies, from state-of-the-art casting processes to full four-cam phasing to ultra-fast data processing and torque-based engine management to provide maximum durability with minimal maintenance. Power is transmitted to the road via a five-speed automatic and either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. EPA fuel economy estimates are 16 mpg/city and 22 mpg/highway for front-wheel-drive variants and 15 mpg/city and 22 mpg/highway for all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds, making it an ideal vehicle for active buyers seeking to tow their ATVs, motorcycles or personal watercraft.

GRAND VITARA - In a segment dominated by car-based crossovers with only the pretense of off-road capability, Suzuki’s Grand Vitara combines unexpected on-road refinement with an aggressive dose of offroad capability. With its powerful go-anywhere standard V6 engine, available Four-Mode full time four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case, reinforced unibody chassis with built-in ladder frame and 3,000 lbs towing capacity, it’s clear the Grand Vitara was built for the life enthusiast’s “Way of Life.”

In its inaugural year, the new Grand Vitara collected numerous top honors, including Sport Truck Connection Television’s “Annual Light Truck and SUV” award, the “Best Kept Secret of 2006” editors’ choice award by Autobytel and AutoPacific’s “Vehicle Satisfaction” Award for best compact SUV. The Grand Vitara also was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year and Four Wheeler magazine’s Four Wheeler of the Year. The 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara received the prestigious Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy award, out-ranking nearly 20 other vehicles in the compact sport-utility vehicle category, and the AutoPacific 2007 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Compact SUV/Off-Road Vehicle category.

For 2008, the Grand Vitara builds on a variety of enhancements introduced in 2007. This year, Suzuki adds a remote fuel door release, upgraded sound deadening materials and a newly designed climate control head unit. The sunroof becomes a standard feature starting on the XSport Package. As with all 2008 Suzuki automobiles, the Grand Vitara is backed by America’s #1 Warranty: a 100,000-miles/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty. Standard DOHC V6 Power The standard 2.7-liter, V6, 24-valve DOHC engine delivers 185 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels. This engine gives the Grand Vitara a tow rating of 3,000 pounds – enough to haul light recreational boats, personal watercraft or Suzuki motorcycles, and double that of several competitors.

SX4 - Introduced for 2007, the five-door Suzuki SX4 Crossover was Suzuki’s solution to the need for a functional, versatile, feature-packed entry vehicle with a serious dose of attitude. While being the most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle in America, it was stylish, and very cool.The SX4 Crossover, now in its sophomore year, features a handsome five-door hatchback design, sophisticated standard all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability and crisp handling characteristics. The eye-catching vehicle combines numerous amenities with capable handling and a long list of safety features to offer a high level of functionality. The 2008 model gets a revised fifth gear ratio on the manual transmission model for improved fuel economy and NVH, new colors and an available rear spoiler. New sport pedals and Bluetooth1 connectivity are available as accessories. Starting at $15,270, the SX4 Crossover is the most affordable all wheel- drive vehicle in the United States.

The SX4 Crossover features a sophisticated 2.0- liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission or an available, specially tuned four-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter engine delivers 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque and an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway.

FORENZA SEDAN AND WAGON - For a growing group of consumers, few vehicles offer a more stylistic and budget-conscious alternative than Suzuki’s Forenza sedan and Wagon. With flair that defines distinctive lifestyles, the Forenza sedan and Wagon continue to provide consumers with modern conveniences and a responsive powertrain, all wrapped in contemporary European style. In most showrooms, there’s a disconnect between a consumer’s automotive budget and the degree of vehicle expressiveness available within that budget. The Forenza sedan and Wagon bust that perception wide open, offering timeless Pininfarina design, responsive performance and established durability with a roomy interior for up to five people. Forenza Wagon adds generous, flexible cargo capacity. In 2008, the Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon add available Bluetooth1 connectivity, chrome inside door handles, steering wheel-integrated audio controls and fog lamps to their already extensive list of comfort and luxury features.

Both models are fitted with a sophisticated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine driving the front wheels. The engine produces a solid 127 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 131 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Hydraulic engine and transmission mounts help insulate the interior from engine noise and vibration. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with an electronically controlled fourspeed automatic offered as an option. A “hold” button on the automatic prevents unwanted gear hunting when driving in hilly terrain.

SX4 SPORT - The four-door SX4 Sport brings award-winning handling capabilities of the Suzuki Swift, which won more than 16 international awards, to the U.S. market. Having wowed journalists and drivers throughout the world, the sporty Swift character embodied in the SX4 Sport can now be enjoyed by U.S. consumers. Suzuki’s development benchmark for the SX4 Sport was to meet or beat the Swift on key dynamic performance attributes in order to win the hearts of the American consumer. SX4’s appeal goes beyond its performance capabilities, as it offers bold youthful styling along with a generous list of standard features and a surprisingly roomy interior. Targeted toward younger buyers, the SX4 Sport represents a core model for Suzuki that has a personality distinct from its competitors. The all-new 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is the automotive cousin to the five-door SX4 Crossover and is designed to ease the day-in, day-out urban grind for its drivers. Sharing a common appeal for those who live a life consistent with Suzuki’s “Way of Life” brand philosophy, the SX4 Sport and SX4 Crossover seamlessly blend into varied driving conditions and environments.

Built in Japan, the SX4 Sport features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission or an available specially tuned four-speed automatic transmission.

RENO - In an era of look-alike sedans and hatches in the compact entry-level segment, Suzuki’s Reno gives consumers beautifully sculpted sheetmetal, careful attention to detail and a host of convenience and comfort features. In combination with a responsive 2.0 liter DOHC four cylinder drivetrain, economy of operation and an ultra-competitive price point, the Reno constitutes a viable alternative for those consumers wanting both “show” and “go.”

For 2008, the Reno retains an extensive list of standard features and remains Suzuki’s most affordable vehicle. Sharing its basic drivetrain and platform with the larger Forenza, the Reno delivers its own persona with a design by Italdesign that embraces the upbeat personality typical of all Suzuki products. The smooth-running, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine produces 127 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 127 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,600 rpm. To remain environmentally friendly, the Reno meets strict ULEV-II emissions standards, and a newly-enhanced OBDII system improves diagnostic capability. The Reno earns an EPA fuel economy of 20 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway with the standard five-speed manual and 19 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway with the available four-speed automatic transmission.

Another exciting set of products produced by Suzuki. Please visit click on our web site's "technical specs" for more information or visit your local Suzuki dealer. On a side note, we personally can't wait for the introduction of the new pickup for the '09 model year. This next year promises to be quite a ride!