Though the company sells a scant 100K cars in the US now, they've got their eye on the prize with the introduction of the 2010 sedan based on the Kizashi 3 concept. They wanted a bigger, better space for a dynamic display and didn't get it. They're not completely over Detroit, but next year we expect the new Suzuki to make a splash in NYC. [Detroit News via eGMCarTech]

I saw it twice in as many days; the second time I went and got my camera. Looks like a former Air Force truck (Dept. of Defense sticker 1979), maybe from a base in the Pacific somewhere. With those big 16" wheels and tires, it looks just like a cute little toy. I want it.

Paul has also sent in some nice shots of his personal '66 Ford pickup:

I washed the old Ford for the first time in five years (with a pot-scrubber), and thought I'd send you some pics. I bought this cast-iron beast 21 years ago for $500 to haul stuff to the dump, and that's where it spent this morning. My approach all these years has been to do the very least amount necessary to keep it running, and it still runs like a champ. It has the original 240 CID six that churns out 129 net hp at 3900 rpm. When the three-speed started popping out of gear, I replaced it with a Warner T-85 3-speed with overdrive. The Hurst floor shifter was already there when I bought it.

The Overdrive is set up to engage manually, allows clutch-less shifts, and yields 5 nicely-spaced gears (1 high and 2 low are too close together). Cruising at 65, the engine turns 1800 rpm. It happily rolls down the highway at eighty, if you don't mind the quarter-turn play in the manual steering and the pathetic little un-assisted drum brakes. Easy driving yields up to 20 mpg.

I use the truck exclusively to haul heavy loads. The "half-tonner" F-100 is rated to carry 1200 lbs. I consistently overload it. At the quarry, I once weighed out with a 3500 lb load, which happens to be what the tuck weighs empty. It was riding on all the axle bumper-stops, a terrific low-rider imitation. I've pulled Bobcat excavators on dual axle trailers (7,000 lbs total), but I have to be careful to pick a route where I won't have to stop on an incline, otherwise the lack of a granny low gear means a smoking clutch.

Any thoughts of a newer truck are erased when I see how high their beds are, literally twice as high as mine. But then it seems pick-ups only haul trailers now days with loads in them. I plan to keep working the Ford indefinitely, to see which one of us gives up first. If anyone is still interested, my write-up is here.

Both bikes use a similar power train, a hydrogen fuel cell / electric hybrid. Basically, the fuel cell produces electricity, which provides motivation and recharges the battery. When stronger acceleration is needed, the batteries — located in the belly pan — chip in. It's all completely seamless and silent in action and there's no gears or clutch, so the experience is a combination of the tall and narrow riding position of a dirt bike with the controls and power of a scooter. That might sound a bit boring, but the light weight and ease of use make the ideal combination for an approachable urban commuter.

While the ENV used high-end mountain bike components and topped out at wobbly 45mph, the Crosscage should make enough power to reach 60mph+ and a uses normal motorcycle suspension, wheels and tires, so expect a more competent and usable riding experience.

Before partnering with Suzuki, Intelligent Energy planed on selling the ENV in cosmopolitan, congested cities like London, Paris, Tokyo and New York. They'd overcome the lack of a hydrogen infrastructure with mobile filling stations in those areas - think guy in a pickup with some bottles of gas - and market their home natural gas / hydrogen conversion system as a permanent fuel source. If Suzuki moves ahead with Crosscage production, expect a similar strategy. [via Hell For Leather]

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
*Honda Fit
*Nissan Versa
*Volkswagen Rabbit
*Used Subaru WRX
*Subaru Impreza 2.5i
*Mazda Mazda3
*Suzuki Burgman

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Suzuki
• Model year: 2008
• Base Price: $14,999
• Price as Tested: $16,870
• Engine type: 2.0L DOHC I4
• Horsepower: 143 @ 5,800 RPM
• Torque: 136 @ 3,500 RPM
• Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
• Curb Weight: 2,800 lbs
• LxW: 162.8" x 69.1"
• Wheelbase: 98.4"
• Tires: P205/60R16
• 0 - 60 mph: 8.3 Seconds
• 1/4-mile: 16.8 seconds
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/28
• NHTSA crash test rating: ****/**** (Driver/Passenger)

Also see:

• 2008 Suzuki SX4, Part One
• 2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two

Acceleration:**
If I could change one thing about this car it would be the transmission. Though power plays into the equation, and the 143 horses tied together with Suzuki's version of variable valve timing try hard, the five forward gears are one shy of awesome and a reconsideration of the ratios could push this car into knock-out economy car territory.

Braking:****
The four-wheel disc brakes, front ventilated and rear solid, have an easy feel and would do well on a larger, heavier car. On the lilliputian SX4 they're perfect for creating a little stop-short moment with your lady friend.

Ride:**
For a big chunk of our bike riding adventure one of my passengers was facing down a sharp bike pedal. Though he made it out without a scratch, it got a little close. Suzuki made a decision to err on the side of handling, and though most would agree it was the right choice, there's a touch more bump than some economy buyers are willing to accept.

Handling:****
"Are our cars as exciting as our bikes?" Suzuki asks in its advertisements. I'm not a big bike guy, but I'm willing to guess no way in hell. But it's closer than you think. The best part of this crossover is how it handles when it needs to. The SX4 goes where you point it and the auto AWD system provides just a touch of energy when necessary. Even in slippery conditions the car maintains its composure and is, most importantly, easy to predict.

Gearbox:**
A sixth gear and an aluminum ring is all that's needed to make this an excellent gearbox. The throws are a touch long but the clutch works well even with clunky footwork and the placement is right in my sweet spot but it revs way too high in freeway driving, literally whining for that extra gear.

Audio:*
This is, without a doubt, the worst FM radio in any new car I've ever driven. Chicago is all buildings and, therefore, signals aren't at their best. But I constantly lost signals and rear passengers couldn't hear anything. Thumb controls are a nice touch, but they don't connect to a radio I'd like in my car.

Toys:***
The entire car is a toy, but we have to give credit to Suzuki for providing gimmicks like tumble-forward rear seats, a sharp center information strip with fuel range and external temperature and other smart touches. The AWD system, though lacking in low/high range (c'mon, what did you expect?), has a great "2WD/Auto/Lock" switch next to the handbrake that makes you feel like you're in a far more expensive ride.

Value:****
For $16,870 you get three-mode AWD, a six-disc changer, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, roadside assistance, six airbags, cruise control, power everything and even rear intermittent wipers. Throw in automatic air-conditioning that cleverly mimics climate control and you're hard-pressed to find another bargain for this MSRP. Oh, and it has keyless entry, though it requires carrying around a key fob that might be mistaken for a Sega Game Gear.

Overall: ****
It's hard to know what the Suzuki SX4 aspires to be, but it's not the usual SUV-car dichotomy that most crossovers try to fake. You're not going to mistake this for a Range Rover. The real question you have to ask when judging this car is whether or not it is an exciting bargain car or an exciting car that's a bargain, and though I'd lean towards the former, it's a question that doesn't even come up with other cars in this price range.

Also see:

• 2008 Suzuki SX4, Part One

Though the SX4 has a rather small footprint, the tall greenhouse and folding seats mean that it can hold all the active lifestyle accouterment we brought along, plus Jane and her fiance Kevin. I should clarify here, my gear was a pair of hiking boots, a camera and a cooler full of sandwiches. Their gear included two bikes, bike accessories, helmets, cleaning supplies, assorted hiking gear and another cooler full of snacks (biking burns calories). The SX4 swallowed all of this without too much Tetris, though Kevin was staring down a set of handle bars for the long drive out to the Palos Forest Preserve southwest of town.

When we got to the biking staging area we found some other, intense looking bikers and their assorted E-series vans, Saab wagons, WRX's and even an Aveo with a roof rack, thereby blowing a hole in my theory that only high school girl's drive Aveos as their first car. According to the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers site, Palos is the "grand daddy of the trail systems available in Chicago... The area has hills, rolling widetrack, tight twisty singletrack, climbs, fast descents and plenty more to keep you satisfied for hours." And this beats a Howard Hawks film festival how?

After unpacking the bikes and assembling them, we stopped to setup for some pictures. My conception of what you wear for an outdoor adventure was a little different from what they actually wear, as you can see from the picture above. I quickly changed back into my normal normal clothing and left them to their off road fun. For me, the fun was to be had on the roads.

This is where the SX4 abandons all the pretense contained in the black plastic wheel arches, metal-look skidplates and fog lights. The roads running through and around the forest preserve include a surprisingly engaging mix of gravely uphill curves, downhill straights and even a few esses that make you wonder why anyone gets out of their cars. Maybe because they aren't driving something as fun as the SX4.

The car simply drives with more poise than any vehicle in this class should. This particular model featured Suzuki's three-mode intelligent AWD system, which offers the option to send all the power to the front wheels, to all wheels on demand or to lock the transfer case into a full 50/50 split. I kept it keyed into the auto mode and found you had to push the SX4 hard into a corner before significant power was transferred rearward, giving the little hatch enough energy to propel it into the next straightway.

While Kevin and Jane attempted to find the limits of their abilities I tried to find the limits of the SX4 and was pleased to discover that this was a difficult task. There's not much noticeable roll when guiding what is essentially a tall wagon around the turns. The suspension is aggressively tuned for a small economy car that competes with Scions, but the ride isn't overly harsh. If there's one obvious complaint it's that the all-black, unadorned shifter looks like it's been taken out of the bargain bin at a Boy's Town sex shop, but the easy clutch action means you're not likely to be staring at it long.

In the lower gears there's a steady stream of manageable power to be had from the 2.0-liter, DOHC fourbanger, which puts out 143 horsepower and 136 lb/ft of torque. Though you may not want to race for pinks at your local drag strip, there's enough oompf left to keep you entertained in all but the longest straights. And entertained you'll be. All of a sudden I looked at the clock in the smartly designed info strip above the center console and realized I had to get back from, well, I wasn't sure where I was at this point. Thankfully, Kevin had packed an extra trail map for me and I was able to work my way back to the original staging area.

When I got there, Kevin jokingly asked if I'd like to "actually see nature" by going for a short hike. I agreed, not knowing a short hike meant more than an hour, and we loaded the gear back into the Suzuki. Here's where the SX4 really shines as an "outdoor lifestyle" vehicle. The ergonomic interior doesn't merely store all of our stuff, it manages to do so without getting damaged. The seats tumble all the way forward and the synthetic seat covers and interior plastics take a lot of abuse without damage, leaving every scrape and chunk of dirt to be easily wiped out.

The bikes once again stowed, we headed out for this "nature" everyone talks about. Though the hiking trails are varied enough to be entertaining and open up to a shallow lake rimmed by striking green grassland, I couldn't help but wish I was back on the road. That says a lot for this vehicle considering its fully-loaded test price is less than $17,000.

Though the SX4 does have its shortcomings, most strikingly the amount of cabin noise you're subjected to as the engine whines above 80 mph, you'd be hard-pressed to find another new vehicle for this price that not only gets you to your "off the beaten path" adventure, but makes getting there the fun part.

2009 Suzuki SX4: FIRST CAR IN AMERICA UNDER $16,000 WITH STANDARD NAVIGATION

• BREA, Calif. (April 28, 2008) - Establishing an auto industry first, and packing even more appeal into its bold and stylish sport compact, American Suzuki Motor Corp. today announced the addition of a fully integrated standard navigation system to the 2009 Suzuki SX4. The company's offering marks the first time a new vehicle under $16,000 will include navigation as a standard feature. The innovative navigation system will be included as standard equipment on both the four-door SX4 Sport and front-wheel-drive version of the five-door SX4 Crossover, propelling the 2009 SX4 to the front of the compact segment as the personal technology leader.
• The Suzuki SX4's integrated navigation system is the result of a partnership with Garmin and is available with a variety of advanced Microsoft Network-enabled features, including real-time traffic, weather forecasts, local event listings and a gas station finder capable of locating the lowest priced fuel in town. To further customize the system to reflect its "Way of Life" brand attitude, Suzuki will add a number of lifestyle-oriented, Suzuki-recommended destinations and landmarks to the system. The locations include hip music venues, popular surf spots, interesting road trip attractions and other activity-focused destinations that will be clearly identified with a Suzuki "Way of Life" icon on the navigation screen.
• "Aside from improving an already popular vehicle, this navigation system provides a unique opportunity to further express the Suzuki 'Way of Life' brand spirit and directly respond to SX4 shoppers' unmet needs," said Mark Harano, president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "We know that our customers are vibrant and adventurous at heart, so we've gone beyond a typical navigation offering to develop a system capable of enhancing driver experiences and activating a passion for living life to the fullest. Navigation makes drivers feel more confident and in control, and our customized navigation system is the perfect fit for Suzuki owners' on-the-go attitude and daily routine."

Suzuki based its decision to include standard navigation on feedback from current SX4 owners regarding their most desired features in their next vehicle purchase. In addition to improving overall favorable impressions of the SX4, Suzuki research showed the addition of a navigation system had a positive "halo" effect on a range of driver perceptions, including significant increases in drivers' "feelings of control" and "feelings of safety."
Referred to as the Suzuki T.R.I.P. (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information and Play), the fully integrated system utilizes Navteq mapping software and includes a flip-up 4.3-inch touch screen display and Bluetooth hands-free calling technology that can receive and audibly play text messages. The system also comes preloaded with street maps that feature millions of points-of-interest, such as hotels, restaurants, gasoline stations and ATMs, and other Suzuki-recommended, brand-oriented destinations. A dedicated community Web site will be launched to support the sharing and downloading of user-generated recommendations for destinations and drive routes among Suzuki owners.
The touch screen navigation system included as standard equipment on the 2009 SX4 Sport and front-wheel-drive version of the five-door SX4 Crossover will come with a number of standard navigation features and millions of unique points-of-interest. Bluetooth capability and other enhanced Microsoft Network-enabled features of the system, including real-time traffic, local events, weather forecasts and a gas price finder, will be included as part of the SX4's upgraded trim package. The 2009 SX4 is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms this summer.

A little background. The event was part of a series taking place around the country meant primarily for Suzuki dealers to show off the new SX4 Sport model. Coming along for the ride is the Kizashi 3 concept car, one of the Suzuki Equator pre-production concepts and the Swift Suzuki was kind enough to let us drive. Though sporting a bright orange metallic paint and wheels of questionable origin, this car was a fairly standard mid-level version, sporting the 1.5-liter fourbanger good for about 100 horsepower. Though they have a five-speed manual version back at HQ, this particular model unfortunately carried the four-speed automatic.

Until we start seeing new Fiestas or Mazda2s on the street, sporty and small Euro-style econoboxes are still a rare site. Though there are Mini Coopers and the occasional Smart ForTwo in urban areas, Americans aren't necessarily used to this quality of design from their smaller vehicles.

Given that the Swift name has been used on enough rebadgings to make your head swim, the car benefits from carrying little aesthetic baggage, allowing the designers the freedom to make a car that looks sharp without having to pay homage to any of the crap coming before it. With the exception of the nose of the car featuring grille and fender work inline with the new and sporty Suzuki design language, the car can stand on its own. The high belt line, which looks out-of-place on certain small cars (we're looking at you, Chevy HHR), manages to give the Swift a larger, more athletic presence. The blacked out A and B pillars also help, minimizing focus towards that part of the greenhouse in a way that carries your eyes away from noticing just how small that rear window is. Compare this to an Aveo, which looks small from any angle (hilariously, the Aveo in Canada is marketed as the Swift).

The interior is straightforward and simple, which is what you expect for a car this size. The three-spoke steering wheel isn't cartoonishly large and is even slightly sporty thanks to the ribbons of chrome-looking plastic which also support the thumb controls. The audio and climate control buttons are tiny, leaving the impression that the interior is actually larger than it is. For an economy car the materials aren't insulting and even a sensitive claustrophobic could survive a short trip (for comparison, the five-door Swift is approximately as wide and long as a first generation MINI but with a three-inch shorter wheelbase).

Like many small cars this one is more fun batting around corners than down the straightaway, especially with the automatic transmission. Nevertheless, the little 1.5-liter engine features Suzuki's version of variable valve timing, allowing for a slightly more aggressive power delivery when accelerating. Tossing the Swift around a 90-degree turn at speed was no problem with the little hatch able to main sufficient traction to keep us pointed in the right direction. There's a little lean when turning aggressively, but it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Over uneven roads the ride was a touch bumpy, but not enough to cause premature labor for any pregnant passengers. Braking? The Swift weighs approximately 2,400 pounds (a bit more with two souls on board), meaning the rear drums are more than able to slow us down before we go rolling off of an embankment or into another car during hard braking.

In the cab on the way back to the train station my driver retold a tale of his old Fiesta. As embarrassed as he was to drive it, he says he rarely had as much fun behind the wheel. The nice thing about the Swift is it's a small, quick and most importantly for the buying demographic — cheap car that you wouldn't be embarrassed to drive. Add to that gas-sipping on par or better than some of the more thirstier hybrids and you've got a car that'll embarrass cheaper-looking alternatives like the Toyota Yaris and the Kia Rio. Just because you're on a budget, it doesn't mean you should settle for crap. If this Swift is a good indicator of the Swift to come, budget buyers at least have a little something more to look forward to.

[ED Note: This car is a foreign-import version of the Suzuki Swift, meaning that there could be significant differences between the version tested and the eventual US Version. That being said, the car should give an indication of what we have to expect from a new Swift]

Those crisp lines are actually wrapped around the same basic car as the Suzuki Forenza. Yes, it is essentially the same subcompact that serves duty as Top Gear's "Reasonably Priced Car" in the form of a Daewoo Chevy Lacetti. There's no word on the technical specs yet, as the Excelle will be officially unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show later this month. Just don't expect anything bigger than a 1.8-liter inline-four. Does that make this a badge-engineered abomination, or do you like the little bugger? It's certainly better than a late-model Century.
[CarScoop]

LIVE! FROM NEW YORK: SUZUKI DEBUTS CONCEPT KIZASHI 3

NEW YORK (March 20, 2008) - Performing onstage at this year's New York International Auto Show in front of a packed house, American Suzuki Motor Corp. hosts the world debut of its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, which completes the company's star-studded cast of media-acclaimed Kizashi concepts. In addition to the North American reveals of Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the global introduction of Concept Kizashi 3 coincides with Suzuki's announcement that it will produce a sport sedan derived from the Concept Kizashi 3 design.

The Concept Kizashi series was developed by Suzuki's Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which further revealed Suzuki's new design language.

"Kizashi means 'prelude' in Japanese, and that's exactly what this design represents for Suzuki from both a business and a product standpoint," said Mark Harano, president, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Concept Kizashi 3 illustrates our brand character and personifies our heritage, design strength and engineering prowess. With customers in 192 countries and regions, Suzuki is truly a global brand, and the coming model carries on our mission to build the image of our automotive products in North America and eventually match our bikes' reputation."

Known primarily as a maker of small vehicles, Suzuki intends for the production derivative of the Kizashi series to serve as the company's flagship vehicle, strengthening its current product line of small cars, trucks and SUVs with a sporting, more accommodating sedan. The future production model will be built at Suzuki's brand-new Sagara plant in Japan, currently under construction, and provide an accessible alternative to the near-luxury segment. While a firm timetable has not been announced, Suzuki will deliver the Kizashi-influenced sport sedan to North American dealers by 2010.
The Concept Kizashi Series
Evoking the physical superiority and dignity of a world-class athlete, the Concept Kizashi series was developed to create a substantial presence that redefines the traditional performance vehicle and moves the Suzuki brand upscale. The overall design theme suggests physical strength from intense daily training, with the strong will, commitment and presence of a champion.

Each of the Concept Kizashi vehicles strikes a balance between driver comfort and sportiness, with roomy cabins melded to lean, dynamic exteriors. The hood and body style of all three Concept Kizashis hint at abundant engine power and wind-splitting aerodynamics, while the long wheelbase, aggressive wheel/tire combinations and abbreviated overhangs communicate a performance-oriented, energetic image. A powerful-looking body profile is incorporated throughout the series to convey underlying strength, with large wheels and a wide tread expressing a capacity for superior performance. Beyond its exterior architecture, the Concept Kizashi series constitutes a four-wheeled continuation of Suzuki's exciting, performance-oriented motorcycle heritage, represented best by its dynamic, world-renowned line of GSX-R sportbikes. Those bikes, some two decades after their introduction, continue to dominate the sportbike segment and have achieved iconic status.

[Source: Suzuiki]

[karthayabusa.blogspot]

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Coming To New York

The New York International Auto Show welcomes American Suzuki Motor Corp. on Thursday, March 20, as the company debuts its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, the final addition to its acclaimed Kizashi concept series. The Concept Kizashi 3, which suggests both Suzuki's future design direction and stated intent to offer a larger, more upscale sport sedan, will be joined in New York by the North American debuts of the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2.

The Kizashi concept series was developed by Suzuki's Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking its design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with the Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show last October, which further pushed Suzuki's new design language. The Concept Kizashi 3 will represent the completion of the Kizashi concept series as well as providing a closer-to-production vision of a future Suzuki sport sedan offering. The complete Kizashi concept series will be revealed at the Suzuki press conference on Thursday, March 20, at 12:10 p.m. in booth 1215 at the Javits center.

[Source: Suzuki via World Car Fans]

SUZUKI DEBUTS ALL-NEW EQUATOR MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK AT 2008 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2008) - To bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company's bold and adventurous brand identity and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500 Suzuki dealers nationwide, American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuts its all-new 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck at this year's Chicago Auto Show. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki's first entry into the midsize pickup truck market and expands the company's offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.

Leveraging Suzuki's credibility as a maker of lifestyle-oriented, fun-to-use products, the Equator offers the perfect blend of style, utility and off-road capability that truck buyers - many of whom are current Suzuki motorcycle, ATV and marine product owners, loyalists and ambassadors - demand and enjoy. Developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America, Inc., and based on the Nissan Frontier, the 2009 Equator will be available in both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles and rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations. The all-new 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2008. Pricing has not yet been announced.

"Since Suzuki has continued to strengthen its brand equity among outdoor enthusiasts, we thought now was the right time to produce a vehicle that meets the additional needs many of these people have," said Mark Harano, president American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Truck buyers are a particularly good fit for Suzuki since they're likely to participate in motorcycle riding, power boating and other lifestyle-oriented activities that fit with our brand identity and our product portfolio. The Equator provides Suzuki with an opportunity to build an authentic connection with a group of consumers who are familiar with our brand and, in many circumstances, own other Suzuki products."

To introduce the Equator, Suzuki is unveiling three separate representations of the truck during its Chicago Auto Show press conference. The three concepts, coined the RMZ-4 for off-road enthusiasts, Quad for outdoor adventurers and Quay for boating and watersports aficionados, showcase Suzuki's diverse brand spirit, while illustrating the capability and flexibility of the all-new Suzuki Equator.

In addition to Chicago's global reveal of the all-new Equator, Suzuki will showcase the SXForce, a sportbike-inspired concept reinforcing the link between the company's rich motorcycle heritage and versatile line of fun-to-drive automobiles, as well as a range of outdoor and performance-oriented motorcycles and ATVs, including the KingQuad 450, LT-R450 QuadRacer and all-new Hayabusa sportbike, to name a few.

2009 Suzuki Equator
Performance and Functionality
Built at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., the 2009 Equator features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter DOHC inline four with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque or an optional 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine producing a class-leading 261 hp with 281 lb.-ft. of torque. Designed for outstanding performance and durability, the Equator's V6 engine incorporates an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, Teflon®-coated pistons, variable valve timing and a silent two-stage timing chain.

The Equator is matched to either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (I4 and V6), five-speed manual transmission (I4) or six-speed manual transmission (V6), and offers an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time two-speed transfer case. For enhanced off-road capability, the rugged Equator offers a comprehensive off-road traction system, including four-wheel limited slip, electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill descent control and hill start assist.

The Equator's strong, fully boxed frame anchors a long 125.9-inch wheelbase (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed), enhancing driver and passenger comfort and stability, while its overall length of 205.5 inches (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed) provides the perfect balance of utility, maneuverability and composure for a midsize pickup truck. The 2009 Equator features an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and a long suspension stroke for optimized off-road dynamics. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds. EPA fuel economy estimates are still preliminary.

Other Equator powertrain components include engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for responsiveness and good on-center feel and standard four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Equator also features a variety of available wheel and tire packages, including 16-inch off-road style wheels with rugged 265/75R16 tires and 17-inch wheels with 265/65R17 tires.

Styling and Utility
The all-new Equator features a contemporary exterior design with a number of unique Suzuki elements, including hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate. Both Equator Extended Cab and Crew Cab models offer an available high-utility bed that includes a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and an extensive tie-down system with adjustable tracks, providing ultimate cargo hauling flexibility through the use of five special "C" cross-section rails mounted in the bed (two channels in the bed floor and one each on the bed side rails and the bed header panel). Removable utility cleats slide into the channels, providing a wide range of attachment points for securing cargo - including Suzuki motorcycles or ATVs. Suzuki also will offer specialized bed accessories that make loading, securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV easier than in many competitive trucks. To further satisfy the needs of active lifestyles, Suzuki will offer its customers a full range of more traditional accessories for use with the channel system, including bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units. Crew Cab models will offer an available roof rack.

Interior
The Suzuki Equator offers the driver and up to four passengers a functional interior that combines versatility, cargo utility, comfort and convenience. Both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles feature flip-up rear seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat and removable storage boxes tucked beneath the rear seats to provide additional cargo capacity. The Equator offers additional convenience features such as a dual glove box with lock, damper and lamp, center console storage and one-liter bottle storage integrated into the front doors. A host of cupholders and power points are standard throughout the truck. Equator Crew Cab also will offer available leather-appointed seats, including a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated seats, heated mirrors and a factory-installed moonroof. Additional available interior amenities include a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with six-disc in-dash CD audio system, optional satellite radio and MP3 capability and MP3 player aux-in jack.

Safety and Packages
The all-new Equator includes a comprehensive list of standard safety equipment, including zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor, three-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. To make the safety story even stronger, the Equator comes equipped with supplemental front seat side-impact air bags and standard supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for front and rear outboard passengers. Additionally, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models provide three-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including the center position for the Crew Cab. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system is provided in the rear seat of the Crew Cab model.

Equator RMZ-4, Quay and Quad Concept Vehicles
Designed to match Suzuki's performance-oriented motocross motorcycles, the RMZ-4 concept offers rugged off-road performance in a Crew Cab. This Equator-based concept, built by the Carlab of Orange, Calif., features a number of exterior modifications, including a bed extender provided by Amp Research, an eye-catching graphic treatment, 18-inch black chrome wheels and specialty Luzlab headlights. The truck's striking exterior is matched by an equally stunning sound system that includes an Alpine HD-Radio unit connected to Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components.

Another Carlab creation to debut in Chicago, the Quay concept is built to suit recreational boating and watersports lifestyles, with a customized paint job that reflects the look of Suzuki's line of marine engines. With an Extended Cab, long bed and hefty towing capabilities, the truck also is equipped with a state-of-the-art Visteon nav-control head unit that provides satellite radio, MP3 and navigation capabilities, in addition to Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components. The Quay also sports special 20-inch wheels and a matching locking hard tonneau cover.

Built to resemble the Suzuki QuadRunner ATV, and to accommodate a recreational outdoor lifestyle, the Quad concept was developed by Torrance, Calif.-based Andry Specialty Vehicles and comes outfitted with a Crew Cab and military "look and feel." In addition to a custom paint job and a two-and-a-half inch front end lift, the exterior of the truck has been modified with a set of 500 series fog lamps, a safari-style front bumper, front skid plate and tubular rocker guards. To enhance the vehicle's overall appearance and performance, the Quad is equipped with Yokohama Geolander tires that ride on 17-inch custom aluminum wheels and features Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components.

Curiously, Mark forgets his magazine landed not only in subscribers hands, but also on newsstands ten days early. But his warm and folksy explanation for it (something about two people giving it to two people who gave it to two people who had nothing to do with two people buying it at newsstands on diametrically opposite sides of the country) leaves us feeling like he's just a simple country boy who doesn't understand the series of tubes that are the interwebs. But that lack-of-understanding falls as flat as his attempt to pivot Truck Trend into the populist position of "little guy" to the blogosphere's "big boys" (Dude, you're a magazine — printed on paper with ink. Your tagline is "The Pickup and SUV Authority" and we bet you've got an office with a desk and a door and a real chair! Have we mentioned how much our backs hurt?).

But we'll not quibble with such trivial details. Instead, we're just happy we've been officially vindicated as the "embargo breakers" of automotive media. But one thing's certain for us after reading Mark's commentary — this buff mag addiction to embargoes is in dire need of a 12-step program. Luckily, Motor Trend has a long-haired leader with more journalistic integrity in his little finger than we've got in our entire bodies. We're sure he'll be the first to man up and make a call to action for his magazine going cold turkey. Remember, the first step is admitting you have a problem. In fact, we're already refreshing Motor Trend's blog, anxiously awaiting an opus from Angus Mackenzie following in lock-step with our arguments we've already made on the embargo issue and the anti-embargo comments made by AutoWeek's Dutch Mandel. Yup, any minute now — click, click, click, click... [Truck Trend]

What is clear is the folks at Suzuki haven't given anything official to us yet — so we guess we'll keep our ears to the streets and our eyes at the newsstands and their media site for the next slip-up or official release of press shots and info.

It's hard to get excited over the Mazda 323, even when it's in the form of a forgotten Mercury. But there's one very important exception to the 323=snoresville equation: the GTX! You want all-wheel-drive turbocharged hoonage without all the careful engineering of your Evos and your WRXs? Just a cheap tin can spraying gravel and chunks of burning rubber in all directions? Have you got twenty Benjamins handy? If you answered "Yes" to all three questions, take a look at this '88 GTX (go here if the ad disappears). This is clearly a seller who's ready to deal- why, it says "Price Lowered" right in the headline! The seller has "Invested too much, sold as is!" in his or her own words, and now it's your chance to cash in. Take a look at the long list of costly- and perhaps even correctly installed- aftermarket goodies: Reich ECU, thudding Migraine-o-Matic speakers, big intercooler, and- perhaps best of all- a fuel cell taking up the entire cargo area. You can count on one thing with this car, and that's that the gas pedal has only known two positions during the car's entire life: "Off" and "Full." We'd probably get all the trim off a grandma-issue 323 and make this thing into a truly soporific sleeper, but you could also go the full nutso-rally route. There's sure to be a plethora of fun surprises in store, either way!

The GTX would be lots of fun, and it belongs on any short list of Jalopnik-approved Hoonmobiles, fer sher. But true hoonage requires a car that's just plain wrong, a car that hurts one's brain to even contemplate. This turbocharged Geo Metro is such a car (go here if the ad disappears). The seller doesn't seem to think it's important to state the year of the car (the photos seem to indicate an early-90s car), nor the number of cylinders (sure looks like the 3-banger). But that stuff doesn't matter- what matters is that it has "a wrx turbo setup,custom transmission,roll cage,lots of custom work." Hmmm... a WRX turbo setup? That sounds, like, not-so-appropriate for a 1.0-liter Suzuki three-cylinder engine... and just what is meant by a "custom" transmission, anyway? Ah, the mysteries you'll be unraveling! The word "GEO" Rustoleumed across the intercooler is a nice touch, as is the casts-doubt-upon-paperwork statement "selling for a friend that will be here in a month or two." Just imagine what this thing would be like to drive if you could actually get it registered and working properly; Super Sleeper Potential!

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SUZUKI AUTO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR PICKUP TRUCK BUILT BY NISSAN NORTH AMERICA Brea, Calif., (December 11, 2007) - American Suzuki Motor Corporation today announced that its midsize pickup truck will be produced by Nissan North America, Inc. The truck will be based on Nissan's Frontier midsize pickup and built at the company's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. Production of the pickup truck will begin in the fall of 2008. The vehicle will be marketed solely by Suzuki in North America. In 2006, Suzuki and Nissan announced an agreement to expand the scope of their business collaboration. The pickup is part of that agreement, which also included the supply by Suzuki to Nissan of Alto minicars in Japan. [Suzuki via [WCF]

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.

Ford: Another take on the Ford Verve that showed up at the Frankfurt Auto Show, hinting at the next generation subcompact to be sold in the US. Expect this iteration to ditch the hatch for a trunk.

Kia: A 2009-model SUV based on the Mesa concept. The seven-seater will be Kia's largest SUV yet.

Hyundai: The production version of the V8-powered, rear-wheel drive Genesis large sedan. Execs are saying the price will come in well under $30K, and horsepower of the new V8 at around 380.

Mazda: It's supposed to be a toned-down concept based on the Nagare (pictured) styling. But have you ever seen a toned-down Mazda concept? Yeah, they don't exist.

Mercedes-Benz: The unveil of a production model, likely the midsized GLK crossover.

Mitsubishi: They'll show both a concept and a production car, with more details expected in December.

Suzuki: It's the North American debut of a concept unveiled at Tokyo, meaning it'll be old news.

Subaru A global debut. Speculate at will.

[Carscoop via Autoblog]