Suzuki will bring Hungary-built crossover to North America
Dave Guilford
Automotive News / March 1, 2006 - 8:07 am

 
GENEVA -- Suzuki Motor Corp. unveiled its SX4 small crossover here and announced that it will launch the Hungary-built vehicle in North America in September, wooing buyers with a flexible three-mode drive system.

The drive system allows drivers to switch between 2-wheel drive, automatic 4-wheel drive that adjusts to front-wheel slippage, and locked-in 4-wheel drive. In addition, the system automatically locks into 4-wheel drive at speeds over 36 mph.

Other features will be independent MacPherson struts, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, fold-flat rear seats and a keyless-start system. Electronic stability control is optional.

Suzuki offers a 1.5-liter dual overhead cam, 4-cylinder base gasoline engine, and a 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing. It will offer a 1.9-liter turbodiesel in Europe.

A Suzuki spokesman said price will be competitive with other compact hatchbacks on the market.

A joint design project between Suzuki and Italdesign, the SX4 will be built in Suzuki's Esztergom, Hungary, plant, alongside a sibling vehicle, the Fiat Sedici. The companies developed the vehicles cooperatively.

Suzuki says it expects to build about 40,000 SX4s annually, but has not announced a U.S. sales target.

They should offer the 1.9TD model here, who knows where gas prices are going this summer 

Can I order the rally one?
Brian

i like it, neat car. i'll have to take one for a test drive.

drop it a couple inches, larger rims, better tires, couple go fast goodies, that'd be a fun ride! 

dang, only a 1.6?   

that sucks when you consider it's replacing the impressively powered Aerio with a 155hp 2.2.  great looking car but sad to see the Aerio be replaced by a lesser car.

The trick with these smaller engines and the variable valve timing is 100 hp per liter.

My wifes Matrix has 180 hp and a 1.8 liter engine.  Its a fun drive, but if you baby it it still gets great gas mileage.  so expect this zuki to have 150-160 hp and good fuel economy.

Any idea of the base price? Colors? Options?

mmmmmmmmmmmm...............wrc rally car i want one!

derek