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| Making waves the Suzuki Slash mini-mpv |
Splash is Suzuki's all-new mini-MPV with bags of practicality and youthful, vibrant styling designed specifically for the European market.
At just over 3.7 m long, Splash is compact enough to manoeuvre with ease through narrow streets or to slot into tight parking spots. Yet on the inside its elevated driving position means it can comfortably seat five adults with plenty of legroom and luggage space, at the same time providing a great view of the road.
The eye-catching design, packed with interesting shapes and curves, successfully pulls off that often tricky combination of sporty styling and a relatively tall body. Strongly flared wings, a bold nose and a flowing roof line are all key elements in creating Splash's friendly, endearing personality.
Inside, there's an equally lively cabin treatment, with stylish silver trim elements and, depending on the body colour, a splash of added colour in the form of turquoise, blue, or light grey inserts on the fascia, doors and seats. Further distinction is provided by the sporty angled centre console, large diameter speedo with black numerals on a white background and a novel tachometer that sits on top of the dash in its own individual housing.
That high seating position makes for easy entry and exit, while folding down the 60:40 split rear seat opens up 573 litres of luggage space (VDA), including a handy waterproof compartment beneath the boot floor. Naturally there are lots of cubbies and places to stash possessions dotted about the cabin.
Petrol or diesel
Two spirited but highly economical engines are offered: Suzuki's 86 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine and a punchy 75 PS 1.3-litre turbo diesel built in Suzuki's new engine plant in India under licence from Fiat, mated to a quick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission; a 4-speed automatic is also available for the petrol model.
Both engines are tuned and engineered with an emphasis on everyday driveability and both offer cost-effective motoring, with combined fuel consumptions of 51.4 (automatic 47.9) and 62.8 mpg respectively. The diesel also emits just 120 g/km of CO2 which means it qualifies for £35 annual road tax, while a diesel particulate filter virtually eliminates any unburnt particles.
The Splash is designed to make day-to-day city driving a pleasure, and it uses the highly acclaimed Swift platform to deliver the same fun-to-drive character, with agile, confidence-inspiring handling.
Four models make up the new Splash range. The 1.2 model comes in either GLS or GLS+ grades; an automatic transmission is available on the GLS+ model and the fourth model is the 1.3 DDiS whose specification is identical to GLS+ grade.
Step up from GLS to either GLS+ or DDiS and you get 15 inch alloys, front foglamps and privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate. That's on top of an equipment list that includes a CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-trimmed steering wheel; remote central locking; front electric windows with driver's auto-down; manual air conditioning; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; height-adjustable front seats; tilt adjustable steering wheel; and an information display.
ESP® and curtain airbags standard
Splash will also be one of the safest cars in its class - all models are equipped with six airbags - including two full length curtain airbags - and ESP® electronic stability as standard - reflecting Suzuki GB's policy to make ESP® a universal fitment on all new models and all major facelifts.
Splash: the fresh, stylish car for couples or families
Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is Suzuki's fourth all new model within just three years, and epitomises Suzuki's 'Way of Life!' philosophy that underpins its strategy of building cars that appeal to a universal audience. Like its siblings, Splash incorporates strong European design themes, a key element in Suzuki's worldwide product development strategy.
While the first phase of that strategy focused on sporting performance, leading Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 to success, Splash is the first product to emerge from the second development phase, which focuses on couples of all ages and young families as its main target groups.
As a result, this all-new compact delivers the desirability of fresh design, an exuberant spirit and a fun to drive nature, blending them with the practicality and spaciousness demanded by the wide-ranging interests and activities of the average couple or family. Indeed, Splash is designed to cross boundaries and offer something for all ages and driving enjoyment for every member of the family.
The Splash and the Vauxhall/Opel Agila were engineered in Japan with initial styling work, extensive chassis development and driving evaluations carried out in Europe by Suzuki. Styling of those elements unique to each model - headlamps, grille, bonnet, front wings, tailgate, taillights and rear bumper - was carried out by the two respective parties.
Both models are built by Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Esztergom, Hungary, alongside the Suzuki Swift, SX4 and Ignis.
Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe.
Why Splash?
You could put any number of interpretations on the name 'Splash', but it could signify the impact the car will make and of course its connotations of running water do also suggest a certain sparkling freshness.....
A mini-MPV that exudes style
Splash's chic exterior styling skilfully strikes a balance between form and function. Despite its average mini-MPV height of almost 1.6 m, Suzuki designers have successfully avoided a design that appears overly tall. Key elements are boldly protruding, arched wings near the extreme corners of the body which convey a strong sense of stability and sure-footedness.
In the pursuit of a sporty, intrepid look, that well-planted stance is complemented by the use of sharp, angular elements in the side window profile, in the expressive three cylinder headlamps, and in the high-mount rear combination lamps which are shaped to visually express splashes of water in keeping with the name of the car.
The distinctive frontal treatment features a multifaceted nose with corners that sweep back and a prominent front grille which continues above and below the bumper line and whose lines flow back into the edges of the bonnet. Front foglamps, standard on GLS+ and DDiS, are set into apertures flanking the lower grille.
Sculpted, three-dimensional curves are used extensively and the rising character lines that flow along the sides of the body to the tailgate create a bold and visually appealing form which is hard to achieve with a car as small as Splash. The flowing roof line is combined with an almost vertical rear window to convey a sense of lively movement and to give the cabin an elongated look, at the same time boosting aerodynamic efficiency (Splash has a drag coefficient of 0.32).
Compact dimensions - overall length is 3730 mm, just 20 mm up on Swift - mean the Splash remains a highly manoeuvrable proposition about town and the turning circle is just 9.4 m.
The Splash is offered in 10 colours, two of which in particular were selected to express the spontaneous energy of the Splash name - Splash Green, a lime green with a touch of blue and Lagoon Turquoise.
Matching vibrant interior
"Youthful" and "practical" were key themes adopted by the design team during the development of the interior and perfectly describe a cockpit that combines superior space utility with a bold, creative design.
In keeping with the car's exuberant styling, customers can, depending on the colour of their car, choose a vibrant two-tone interior treatment, with turquoise, blue or light grey materials used as highlights on the fascia ahead of the instrument cluster, on the front passenger airbag cover, and as fabric seat and door trim inserts, the remainder of the cabin trimmed in either dark grey or black.
Silver accents applied to the steering wheel, the gear lever, and the surrounds of the air vents, speedometer and centre console add a touch of sportiness.
Considerable attention was paid to ensuring the highest quality for these trim items which are moulded rather than painted - a common difficulty with silver-coloured plastics is the irregularity in the plastic flow during moulding. In order to overcome this issue, the amounts of metallic additives and the distribution of particle diameters were optimised and state-of-the-art plastic-flow analysis was used to perfect the mould shapes.
An added element of interior coordination is provided by an oval motif used for a variety of items, including the air vents, the liquid crystal display within the speedometer, the door armrests, the rearview mirror, and other features. Even the dimples on the fascia have an oval shape.
The instrument panel has a wraparound shape with a flowing, streamlined centre console that is angled towards the windscreen to create an open, airy feeling. It approximately matches the trajectory on which the driver moves his or her hands when using the flush-fitted controls located within it.
A fully integrated audio system is stylishly designed to match Splash's youthful image. The CD tuner with MP3-compatibility and speed-sensitive volume adjustment can be operated either from the centre console-mounted controls or via the remote buttons provided on the left-hand steering wheel spoke.
The gear lever is mounted in a relatively high position on the centre console so that it falls easily to hand for effortless shifting.
Ahead of the leather-trimmed steering wheel, the instrument cluster is dominated by a distinctive, large speedometer whose black lettering on a white dial makes for good legibility. It also contains an LCD information display providing outside temperature, instantaneous and average fuel consumption and range, as well as a digital clock.
Complementing the prominent speedo is a funky tachometer which sits in its own housing on top of the fascia for an added sporty flavour.
Sitting pretty
The Splash's relatively high 1590 mm roof line allows plenty of cabin height and relatively high seat positions, thereby realising a roomy, comfortable interior environment with good visibility for safer driving. Compared with the Swift, front seat headroom increases by 24 mm, that in the rear by 31 mm. Similarly front and rear seat hip points rise by 54 and 47 mm respectively, which makes for more comfortable entry and exit. The higher rear seats give passengers a better view and a more spacious feeling, as well as making it easier to attach a child seat.
A host of storage compartments throughout the cabin make Splash convenient and fun to use. Pockets in the front door trims can hold a 500 ml plastic bottle and road atlases, while the front cupholder on the floor console can accommodate a 750 ml bottle, the one at the rear a 1.5 litre bottle.
On the passenger side of the fascia is a large tray into which all manner of small personal items can be placed and beneath it a glovebox. At the top of the centre stack is a lidded compartment complete with coin holder and large enough to swallow CD cases.
All models feature a sunglasses holder in the roof lining, while just ahead of the gear lever is a console box suitable for items such as a mobile telephone. Finally, the front passenger seat features an under-seat tray and, on GLS+ models, a passenger seat back pocket.
The tallish body makes access to the luggage compartment particularly easy. Load space is 178 litres (VDA) which includes a useful 36 litre under-floor compartment suitable for storage of a first aid kit, small valuables and, with its waterproof lining, wet or soiled items; partitions keep things tidy.
Folding the one-touch rear seats forward - they are split 60: 40 - creates a virtually flat load floor. The headrests do not need to be removed, they are simply pushed down to their lowest level. The resulting load space is able to hold a total of 573 litres (VDA) which again includes the under-floor compartment.
A safe place to be
Suzuki has paid great attention to safety in the design of Splash and active safety features include ABS, brake assist (to boost braking effectiveness during emergency braking) and electronic brake-force distribution.
Recognising the life saving potential of electronic stability systems, Suzuki GB is equipping all Splash models as standard with ESP®, part of a company policy to introduce the system progressively on all forthcoming new models and model facelifts. ESP® uses selective wheel braking and controls engine output as necessary to stabilise the vehicle if it detects understeer or oversteer situations which could possibly result in total loss of control. ESP® also incorporates a traction control feature to prevent wheelspin during standard starts or a loss of grip during sharp acceleration.
The Splash incorporates crushable structures, an energy-dispersing frame, and a crash-optimised high-rigidity cabin. Front seatbelts incorporate a pretensioner and a force limiter and are height adjustable; all three rear seatbelts are 3-point ELR and all roof pillars and roof-side rails are finished in an energy-absorbing trim.
As well as dual front airbags and side airbags incorporated into the front seats, Splash is equipped with full length curtain airbags on all models. Two ISOfix child seat fixtures are provided on the rear seats.
Pedestrian protection measures too have been given careful consideration, and bonnet, wings, wipers and front bumper are all designed to be crushable and to absorb impact energy more progressively, so reducing injury.
Sparkling performance and either 51.4 or 62.8 mpg combined
Customers can choose between two highly economical engines: Suzuki's own 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine developing 86 PS (63 kW) and a 75 PS (55 kW) 1.3-litre 4-cylinder common rail turbo diesel supplied by Suzuki's plant in India where it is built under licence from Fiat.
Both offer a sophisticated combination of smoothness, good low-end torque and fuel efficiency. Specially-tuned, high rigidity mounts, and a host of other measures keep noise and vibration low. For their displacement, the engines are among the smallest in size, yielding more interior space.
Since the Splash is likely to spend much of its time in urban environments or on twisting country roads, the two engines have been selected for their strong performance at low and mid-range engine speeds. The characterful 1.2 with 5-speed manual dispatches 0-62 mph in just over 12 seconds, is capable of a top speed of 109 mph and sips fuel to give over 51 mpg combined.
The 1.3-litre turbo diesel's superb on-road flexibility is the result of a wide spread of torque peaking at 190 Nm between 1750 and 2250 rpm and effortless progress is matched by a wallet-comforting frugality: combined fuel consumption clocks in at 62.8 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions are just 120 g/km to position the Splash in Band B and annual road tax of just £35.
Both engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox with satisfyingly firm and quick gear shifting, while the petrol engine is also available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. All ratios have been chosen to deliver smooth, comfortable acceleration and fuel economy. The shift levers are mounted relatively high at the bottom of the centre stack for easier, more relaxed operation. Unusually for this category, the automatic has a gated shift lever for a sportier shift feel and appearance.
Secure, entertaining chassis dynamics inherited from Swift
Suzuki's Swift hatchback has won many plaudits for its entertaining chassis and comfortable ride quality. The new Splash is built on a Swift platform shortened by 20 mm and inherits that car's strong dynamic qualities.
During the development programme, the chassis was subjected to extensive testing in Germany, the UK and Spain and suspension damping, tyres, and steering assistance have been optimised to achieve a smooth, composed ride whether cruising on motorways, negotiating winding B-roads or merely coping with potholed city streets. A wide track and the 2,360 mm wheelbase mean Splash offers confidence-inspiring stability and characterful handling uncompromised by the relatively tall body.
Steering gearbox, suspension lower arms and rear engine mounting are mounted to a front sub-frame and the resulting rigid structure translates into lower road noise and more precise responses.
MacPherson strut suspension at the front is matched by a torsion beam and coil springs at the rear. The low unsprung weight of the torsion beam arrangement enables effective control of camber angle and toe-in to deliver accurate and predictable handling, while its space-efficient layout plays a key role in achieving a low, flat boot floor.
To round off the driving experience, the steering gearbox provides a direct and precise feel, while the braking system uses particularly rigid callipers for enhanced stopping performance.
Splash's Design Development
Suzuki did much to pioneer and popularise the mini-MPV phenomenon with the Wagon R and its successor, the larger Wagon R+. Both had a strong visual presence thanks to their physical volume and boxy styling and were unprecedentedly roomy for cars with a modest road footprint; and a high eye point created a sense of openness in the cabin and made driving easy. They proved exceptionally popular, giving rise to competing products from rival manufacturers.
Although Suzuki has used its unique MPV know-how to evolve the genre still further, Splash is effectively a 'blank canvas' design and cannot be considered a successor to the Wagon R+ whose predecessor was effectively developed for the Japanese market. The Splash in contrast is predominantly tailored to the requirements of European customers.
Using its experience, Suzuki has created a small MPV that blends the traditional elements of compactness, comfort, and economy with the aerodynamics, handling, and dynamic designs demanded in the European driving environment. As a result, the Splash is a next-generation mini-MPV that meets today's needs in a uniquely effective way.
'Rather than a purely functional box shape, our design team have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and a zesty, energetic performance,' explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project's chief engineer.
The styling team for Splash, and its sister car, the Opel/Vauxhall Agila, was headed by chief designer Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as October 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV.
It soon became clear that while it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV, it should keep all the advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and the convenient flexibility, allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into substantial stowage space.
'The greatest design challenge with this model was combining more attractive exterior styling and good aerodynamics with highly valued interior attributes,' explains Kamio.
In January 2004, a group of 10 exterior and interior designers travelled to Germany to spend six months absorbing and analysing European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design. Out of their impressions and findings came three design proposals, which were then presented to audiences of Suzuki distributors and compact MPV owners to help determine the most popular theme and to refine the design direction.
'Proposal A had a sporty, stable look that didn't emphasise the height of the car; Proposal B had a chic and charming look intended to appeal to female users; and proposal C had a contemporary look that conveyed a sense of the car's functionality,' says Kamio.
'Proposal A proved the most popular and we discovered that, with mini-MPVs, people preferred a sporty and emotionally appealing design. Hence we proceeded to make a full-size 1:1 clay model, reflecting our target dimensions, performance, and design requirements based on proposal A.'
The result was 'Project Splash' which made its debut at the Paris motor show in September 2006, and which embodied the basic styling theme of the production model, and provided the opportunity to check and validate ideas.
'With the interior and exterior details, we worked toward emotional appeal in the form of designs that convey youthfulness, liveliness, and enjoyment in line with the "Splash" name,' explains Kamio. 'Since Project Splash was a showpiece, we gave it an all-glass roof and emphasised the smooth roof line by adopting chromed pillars that appeared to float in the glass area. The positive response we received at the Paris show gave us confidence in our Splash styling direction.' |
| Added diesel choce for Suzuki's Sport X-Over |
Suzuki's SX4 sport crossover range, which blends the character of a sporty compact with that of a lightweight SUV, is now being offered with a second diesel option.
The new 1.6 DDiS engine - supplied by Peugeot - complements the existing 120 PS 1.9 DDiS unit and its 90 PS output and 215 Nm of torque ensure lively, flexible performance characteristics matched by strong fuel economy. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and driving through the front wheels, the combined cycle figure is a frugal 53.3 mpg and CO2 emissions are 139 g/km, yet the latest SX4 clocks up 0-62 mph in 12.2 seconds and has a potential top speed of 109 mph.
Equipment levels are similar to the SX4 1.6 GL but adds manual air conditioning, heated door mirrors, 16 inch alloys, roof rails, front fogs and wheelarch extensions. The on-the-road price is £11,999 and, in common with petrol-engined models, the new model qualifies for a 6D insurance grouping.
Like the rest of the SX4 range, the 1.6 DDiS offers an exciting small car alternative, combining responsive driving dynamics, high levels of practicality and styling that suggests a freestyle approach to life.
The roomy interior includes 60:40 split rear seats which tumble to create an almost flat floor and a boot capacity of 625 litres. An extensive array of safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, plus front seat pre-tensioners.
As well as the larger 120 PS diesel, the SX4 also offers a 107 PS 1.6 VVT petrol engine with either two-wheel drive or - in the 4GRIP model - intelligent All Wheel Drive. |
| Suzuki Splash |
World Premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt / Available with three engines with CO2 emissions below 140 g/km
With the Splash, a new fresh and exciting small passenger car, Suzuki Motor Corporation intends to gain a significant market share in this growing market segment in Europe. The new flexible compact car combines the sportiness of Suzuki's successful model Swift with the technologies and immense know-how of the Japanese world market leader in the mini car segment. The Splash is not the successor of any specific former Suzuki model, but a brand-new concept to satisfy the needs of demanding European customers in terms of roominess, compactness, modern design, aerodynamics, quality, driveability, performance and environmental friendliness. The safety equipment encompasses state-of-the-art features such as six airbags and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP®*). It looks fresh, energetic, juvenile and emotional and thereby underlines the aspiration of its name Splash. Within the global growth strategy of Suzuki, the Splash is already the fourth entirely new model within three years after the launch of Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 which all embody Suzuki's unique 'Way of Life!'-philosophy.
Within this market segment, the car convinces with a relatively tall body (1.6 metres) based on the chassis from the sporty Swift. With its overall length of 3.7 metres and width of 1.7 metres it offers an amply tall and comfortable roomy cabin with sufficient legroom for adults on all seats. Its modern design leads to excellent aerodynamic efficiency and consequently to low carbon-dioxide emissions.
The Splash will make its worldwide debut at the International Motor Show in September in Frankfurt am Main. Sales of the car with its excellent ride comfort will start as of spring 2008. It will be available with two different petrol engines: a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, 12-valve unit with maximum power of 48kW (65hp) and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve unit with maximum power of 63kW (86hp). With these engines, low friction and plentiful flat torque delivery at low and mid-range speeds help to ensure good driveability across the rev range while promoting fuel economy and limiting CO2 emissions. Customers preferring a diesel engine can choose a proven 1.3-litre, common rail, 16-valve unit with optional particulate filter and a maximum power of 55kW (75hp). In light of the growing need for environmental compatibility, emissions of all three engines with 5-speed manual gearbox are between only 120g/km and 140g/km. The petrol engines were both newly developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation as next-generation power engines. The diesel engine will be produced at Suzuki's plant in India under licence from GM Powertrain Europe.
Suzuki aims to sell up to 60,000 units per year of the Splash in Europe. The brand-new model has been developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and will be produced by its subsidiary company Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Hungary.
* ESP is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG. |
| Suzuki to make a splash in Paris |
Suzuki will also exhibit project 'Splash' which is a 'clinic model' for another all-new vehicle which will follow the Swift, Grand Vitara, and SX4 onto the market.
Based on the concept of a car that will appeal to many different markets and market sectors Splash is a multipurpose vehicle intended to deliver satisfaction to a very wide spectrum of customers regardless of their lifestyle, age, and gender and with diverse requirements for their personal transportation. It offers:
· Excellent driveability
With its platform shared with the new Swift, Splash combines excellent performance and driveability around town and over long distances.
· Comfortable cabin
A relatively tall body provides ample occupant comfort and space.
· Contemporary interior design
The cabin combines a contemporary design with equipment that maximises user-friendliness.
Splash specifications
Dimensions: 3,780mm (Length) x 1,780mm (Width) x 1,650mm (Height)
Wheelbase: 2,360mm
Engine: All new 1.2L, 16-valve, four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Seating capacity: Five persons |
| Suzuki SX4 prices announced |
These are the prices of the first two Suzuki SX4 models which are now on sale:
SX4 1.6 GL manual - £9,999.00
SX4 1.6 GLX manual - £10,999.00
Metallic/pearlescent paint is available at a charge of £300.00 inc. VAT.
Prices for the automatic version of the 1.6 GLX two-wheel drive and the 1.6 GLX and 1.9 DDiS 4GRIP models will be announced before their launch mid-year. |
| Concept world rally car |
| This concept for a world rally car will be appearing at the Geneva Motor Show 2006. It is based on the new SX4 which will be making its world debut at the show. |
| Sleek, tough diesel Grand Vitara powers in |
Customers of the all-new Suzuki Grand Vitara - launched three months ago - now have the option of diesel power in the shape of the 1.9 DDiS 5-door model with manual transmission. At £16,999 on-the-road, it is as much as £2,750 less expensive than its similarly sized, Japanese four-wheel drive competitors.
Its intercooled and turbocharged engine - supplied by Renault - delivers 129 PS and a hefty 221 lb ft (300 Nm) of torque for reassuring performance in a variety of situations both on and off the beaten track. Using Suzuki's latest SUV to its full potential shouldn't be too painful at the pumps either, with a Combined cycle consumption of 36.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 205 g/km. Top speed is 106 mph, while acceleration from 0 to 62 mph is completed in 13.2 seconds.
The 1.9 DDiS enjoys the same clean, but muscular styling and generous equipment levels as its 5-door petrol counterpart. That means standard climate control air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, an integrated radio/CD player with steering wheel mounted audio controls, tinted glass, tilt adjustable steering, reclining rear seats, heated and folding door mirrors, immobiliser, alloys and front fogs.
There's also the security of front, side and curtain airbags for front seat occupants plus curtain airbags in the rear.
The unique body construction means that while the Grand Vitara uses a lightweight monocoque design without a separate chassis, a stiff platform provided by a 'built-in ladder frame' ensures this SUV has the rigidity to match the most traditional of off roaders.
That's complemented by an all-new, permanent four-wheel drive system with differential lock and low range to ensure outstanding off road capability. The system's four different modes are easily selected via a dash-mounted rotary switch.
Longer and wider than its predecessor, the new Grand Vitara also has an extended wheelbase which means lots more room inside.
The new 1.9 DDiS joins a line-up comprising the 1.6 litre VVT and VVT+ 3-door manual models and 2.0 litre 16v 5-door manual and automatic models, starting at £12,699 on-the-road. |
| Suzuki Swift awarded car of the year |
It's the car that provided the first glimpse of Suzuki's innovative new design strategy, and now the Swift has received the ringing endorsement of two particularly discerning audiences.
In the UK the highly respected magazine has just named the supermini its 'Car of the Year'. Meanwhile, on its home turf the Swift has picked up the 'Most Fun' category in the Japanese Car of the Year (COTY) awards and received the 'Car of the Year' accolade from the 72-strong Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan (RJC).
Car editor Jason Barlow summed up the magazine's feelings: In a world where small cars are getting better and better, it doesn't fall into the trap of offering gimmicks, pointless extras or overt quirkiness - it simply gets on with the job it's there to do, and it does it superbly.
These three awards are a strong vindication of the Swift's approach to the supermimi sector, delivering a seductive blend of eye-catching good looks, Japanese quality and European-inspired driving dynamics, backed up by excellent handling and outstanding fuel economy.
Nor was the Swift's victory a fluke, as Jason Barlow explains: All-rounders often end up winning various 'car of the year' accolades due to the fact they offend the fewest judges, but in this case not a single judge came out against it as a fair choice.
The car is stylish, roomy, good value, pretty quick and a lot of fun to drive, and this combination of aptitudes makes it a totally compelling package.
The five-strong Swift line-up is priced from £7,499 and comprises 1.3 GL 3-door and 5-door manual models, 1.5 GLX 5-door manual and automatic, and 1.3 DDiS diesel 5-door manual. |
| All-new Suzuki SX4 |
Following new Swift and new Grand Vitara, Suzuki Motor Corporation will start production of its third world-strategic-model - the all-new SX4 - at European manufacturing subsidiary, Magyar Suzuki Corporation, Hungary, from December 2005. Its world launch will be at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2006 with retail sales from spring, 2006 in the UK.
Joint Development
The all-new SX4 was created as a result of a joint development agreement between Suzuki and Fiat Auto S.p.A. (Fiat) signed in April, 2003.
Suzuki took the initiative for the project management from concept to mass production.
Magyar Suzuki will produce 60,000 units of this all-new SUV annually, 40,000 for Suzuki's European market and 20,000 for Fiat.
A Compact Crossover
Under the concept of X-over revolution, SX4 has the DNA of Suzuki's compact cars exemplified by the new Swift and draws on Suzuki's experience of producing lightweight SUVs such as the Grand Vitara.
X-over design refers to the practicality of an SUV crossed with the appearance of a passenger car. The SX4 has two variants. The Urban Line emphasises the passenger car characteristics with fewer SUV design elements whilst the Outdoor Line is distinctly more of an SUV in appearance.
A significant feature of the Suzuki SX4 Outdoor Line 4x4 version is its switchable three-mode 4x4 system - 2WD mode, 4WD Auto mode and 4WD Lock mode - that delivers all-wheel traction superior to that needed for every day situations.
Powertrain and Transmission
Advanced powerplant and drivetrain technologies enable fun, dynamic performance in any environment. There is a choice of three engines: 1,490cc 73kW/99hp and 1,586cc 79kW/107hp petrol units and 1,910cc 88kW/120hp diesel unit. The diesel engine is equipped with a particulate filter.
Of note, the Suzuki SX4 is the only car in the class that features the combination of diesel, 6MT and 4x4. This combination delivers class-leading performance. A flat torque curve guarantees powerful acceleration and smooth performance.
A new six-speed manual transmission - available with the diesel engine only - brings out the full potential of the engine and provides maximum driving pleasure.
Rigid body / Safety
The SX4 allows drivers to enjoy an active driving experience. The rigid body ensures crisp handling to meet European demands. The Suzuki SX4 also offers high levels of torsional and bending rigidity. High-rigidity suspension mounts augment the body's rigidity to draw out the suspension's full potential.
Active, or preventative, safety features begin with the vehicle's design. The commanding driving position provides a wide field of vision for the driver. ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) is standard on all models. An electronic stability program is available on selected models.
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| Suzuki Swift takes Irish Car of the Year |
The announcement was made at an awards ceremony today in the Berkeley Court Hotel attended by leading figures from the motor industry. The results were as follows:
1: Suzuki Swift 119 points
2: VW Passat 86 points
3: Range Rover Sport 75 points
4: Citroen C4 64 points
5: Toyota Aygo 61 points
The Irish Motoring Writers Association judges awarded points on the basis of criteria ranging from innovation to safety to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality and value for money.
Presenting the award to Niall O'Gorman, General Manager of Suzuki Ireland, Paddy Murphy of Semperit Ireland commented: From 33 original contenders for this year's award, the Irish motoring writers have selected an exciting model that has been very well received by journalists and motorists alike. I am sure the Irish Car of the Year accolade will provide a huge boost to the popularity of the Suzuki Swift in the Irish market.
This year's success is the first time Suzuki has won the Semperit Irish Car of the Year. The Swift succeeds the Ford Focus, which took the title last year.
The Semperit Irish Van of the Year 2006 title was awarded to the Citroen C4. |
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