Los Angeles Auto Show

Energized by continued strong sales and the recent launch of the all-new 2008 four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport, American Suzuki Motor Corp. arrives at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show poised to impress Southern California auto enthusiasts with its full line of versatile cars and SUVs and its never-before-seen Makai concept vehicle, a surf-inspired convertible based on the Suzuki SX4 Sport.

Highlights:
• Suzuki debuts surf-themed convertible concept based on all-new four-door SX4 Sport
• Record-breaking Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special and SX4 WRC race to auto show floor
• Suzuki displays full line of vehicles for active Southern California lifestyles

Suzuki also showcases its thriving motorsports division with its highly anticipated SX4 WRC car, derived from the five-door SX4 Crossover, and its Suzuki XL7 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Special, which appears at this year’s show for the first time in North America since shattering the longstanding overall time record at the 85th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July.

“With this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show as a backdrop, we’re excited to showcase our expanded line of fun-to-drive production vehicles, including the all-new SX4 Sport,” said Mark Harano, president of American Suzuki’s Automotive Operations. “But given Southern California’s reputation for creativity and style, this show also is the perfect venue to display various concepts and other specially modified Suzuki vehicles sharing similar levels of inspiration, lifestyle-based passion and design DNA.”

Suzuki Makai
Concurrent with the arrival of the 2008 SX4 Sport production vehicle, Suzuki further expands its highly popular and media-acclaimed Suzuki LIVE Series (LIFE VEHICLES) – a line of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers.

With spirited colors and a playful design, Suzuki’s newest LIVE Series offering, the Makai concept, is based on the all-new 2008 SX4 Sport and has a dedicated open-car bodystyle for breezy fun-in-the-sun motoring – the perfect ingredient for an exhilarating driving experience. Fabricated and painted by Andry Specialty Vehicles of Torrance, Calif., the Makai’s potential is fully realized with its comprehensive list of imaginative, high-style features.

From the ground up, its large 19-inch CEC wheels, wide Michelin Pilot sport tires, four-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors and Rotora calipers further enhance the Makai’s wide, aggressive stance. Adorned with multi-step sunset orange paint, custom body kit, styled exhaust, and LED taillights and running lamps, the Makai’s exterior is sure to turn curious heads.

Beachgoers and surf aficionados will enjoy the ride to the beach just as much as the beach itself with Makai’s custom surfboard mounting rack and dual matching sunset orange trimmed boards. A shaved windscreen and targa rear hoop further enhances the Makai’s sporty open-air look.

The Makai’s al fresco cabin is complete with custom interior components, including ventilated, suspended seats in all four positions, high output, beach party-themed VeaLink audio system with MTX speakers and components, dashboard-integrated Garmin® navigation system, Kinetik Power Cell battery, StreetWires audio/video install kit and cabling, Momo Sport steering wheel and color-keyed interior accent lighting.

Suzuki SX4 WRC
With its sports-minded heritage, coupled with a passion to excel in the world’s most competitive venues, Suzuki Auto drives toward another motorsports challenge with its entry in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Derived from the five-door SX4 Crossover, a prototype model of the SX4 WRC was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006. Developed as a driver-friendly World Rally Car offering excellent controllability under a wide range of rally conditions, this creation by Suzuki Sport, Suzuki’s motorsports division, has involved an extensive testing program on many different types of surfaces. As a supplement to the testing, Suzuki Sport chose two events in 2007, the Rallye de France and the Wales Rally GB, to closely represent the majority of surface types. The Rallye de France is known as one of the most challenging tarmac events, and the Wales Rally GB, held later in the year, is well regarded for similar reasons.

The SX4 WRC boasts a 2.0-liter turbocharged J20 engine with full-time 4WD drivetrain and a five-speed sequential gearbox. The vehicle’s 1,997 cc engine delivers 320 brake horsepower between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm, along with a maximum torque of 590 N-m (435 lb.-ft.) at 3,500 rpm.

The SX4 WRC’s powertrain features a carbon three-disc clutch, electronically controlled center differential and mechanical front and rear differentials. Its well-balanced chassis and rigid structure allow the front and rear MacPherson struts with coil springs work to their full potential, and its Reiger shocks deliver dynamic, responsive handling. For tarmac, the vehicle is fitted with 20/65-18 tires fitted on 8X18-inch wheels. On gravel, 17/65-15 rubber is mounted to 7X15-inch wheels.

The SX4 WRC sits on a wheelbase of 2,500 mm, stands 1,450 mm high and weighs 1,230 kg (the minimum authorized). All specs reflect those of the final-phase development-test vehicle and are not necessarily indicative of the 2008 entry. As noted by Nobuhiro Tajima, vice president of Suzuki Sport, the endeavor is still in the early stages of development, including the engine, transmission and suspension.

The WRC effort builds on Suzuki’s outstanding success in the JWRC, where the Swift Super 1600 has enjoyed an excellent record, creating even more excitement and anticipation in 2008.

Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special
Piloted by Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, the Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special broke the longstanding overall time record at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Tajima crossed the Devil's Playground finish line posting a time of 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds, breaking the 1994 record of New Zealand’s Rod Millen by nearly three seconds.

Designed specifically to provide superior power and performance to challenge the world famous “Race to the Clouds,” the Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special boasts a twin-turbocharged liquid-cooled V6 DOHC engine that produces an amazing 1,007 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. It features a six-speed sequential gearbox, triple plate direct release clutch, hydraulically-controlled front and rear differentials and a mechanical multi-plate center differential.

The Suzuki Sport race car’s carbon and Kevlar composite front and rear wing and cowl generate strong aerodynamic downforce for added grip and balance. The vehicle is fitted with 285/60R-18 Falken S/TZ04 Pikes Peak Special tires mounted to 18X11-inch J Rays CE28N wheels. The vehicle sits on a wheelbase of 2,818 mm, stands 1,500 mm high and carries a race weight of 1,100 kg (without driver and fuel).

Suzuki SX4 Sport
The all-new 2008 four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport is cousin to the five-door SX4 Crossover and designed to ease the day-in, day-out urban grind for its drivers. Sharing a common appeal to 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.

The SX4 Sport brings award-winning handling capabilities from the Suzuki Swift, which has won more than 16 international awards, to the U.S. market. Having wowed journalists and hundreds of thousands of 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 heart of the American consumer.

SX4’s appeal does not stop on the track, as it offers bold, youthful styling along with a generous list of standard features and a surprisingly roomy interior. Targeted toward younger buyers with a male skew, the SX4 Sport represents a core model for Suzuki that has a personality distinct from its competitors.

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. The responsive engine’s strong low-end torque provides the fun-to-drive feeling commuters and weekenders crave, along with more power than segment volume leaders. The 2.0-liter engine delivers 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque, with an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg/city and 31 mpg/highway with automatic transmission.

The 2008 SX4 Sport is one of the best-equipped compact cars in America, with more standard features than cars costing thousands more. The base SX4 Sport’s standard features include six airbags (front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags), four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, trip computer, 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, aero body package, 17-inch alloy wheels and floor mats. The starting MSRP for the four-door SX4 Sport is $14,770 plus $625 destination and handling.

The Convenience Package adds cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, automatic climate control and heated outside mirrors. Adding only $500, the starting MSRP for the SX4 Sport with the Convenience Package is $15,270. For just another $1,000, the Touring package adds a six-disc CD player, upgraded 380-watt audio system with nine speakers, including subwoofer, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, Electronic Stability Program (ESP)1 with traction control system and SmartPass keyless entry and start system, and starts at $16,270. An automatic transmission is available for $1,100 on all models.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover
Since its introduction last year, the Suzuki SX4 Crossover has received numerous awards, including being named one of the “Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000” by Kelley Blue Book and “Best Kept Secret of 2007” by Autobytel. The SX4 Crossover features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, in-line four cylinder, DOHC engine rated at 143 horsepower. Fitted with intelligent all-wheel drive as standard equipment, the five-door is America’s most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle and is sure to be a year-round standout in any driving condition.

Several refinements have been made for the 2008 model year, including a revised fifth gear ratio (M/T) for improved highway mpg and reduced NVH, remote fuel door release, air conditioning with automatic climate control and heated outside mirrors with the Convenience package. Other available features for the 2008 SX4 Crossover include Bluetooth connectivity, sport pedals and shifter. The starting MSRP for the five-door SX4 Crossover is $15,270 plus $625 destination and handling.

Suzuki XL7
Redesigned for the 2007 model year, the XL7 midsize crossover SUV evolved from a body-on-frame, rear-wheel-drive design to a larger, more comfortable front-drive unibody design. Suzuki’s flagship SUV, which proudly displays a quadruple five-star safety rating, boasts a standard 3.6-liter V6, DOHC engine rated at 252 horsepower matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manumatic control, available all-wheel drive and three-row seating. All work together to deliver the size, style, power and flexibility needed to facilitate a consumer’s active lifestyle with ease.

For 2008, the XL7 packs even more value into Luxury and Limited models with added standard features. Luxury models now include standard power moonroof and six-CD audio system. Limited models feature a lower MSRP than the previous model, and include substantial upgrades to the standard equipment list, including power heated front seats, touch screen navigation system, rear vision camera system, power moonroof, chrome wheels and six-CD, Pioneer-branded premium audio system. Limited models also offer an available rear entertainment system. The starting MSRP for the XL7 midsize SUV is $21,349 plus $650 destination and handling. The fully-loaded Limited is available for $28,899.

2008 Suzuki Auto Product Line
Beyond its head-turning Makai concept and motorsports machines based on the spirited four-door SX4 Sport, bold and functional five-door SX4 Crossover and exciting XL7 midsize SUV, Suzuki’s 2008 vehicle line includes rugged Grand Vitara compact SUV, the Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon, and the 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 2008 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America’s #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

Labels: 2008, Suzuki