Suzuki Showcases All-New SX4 Sport, Zuk Concept at 2008 Pittsburgh International...

Suzuki Showcases All-New SX4 Sport, Zuk Concept at 2008 Pittsburgh
International Auto Show
Suzuki displays full-line of vehicles for active lifestyles

PITTSBURGH, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by the all-new 2008 four-door
Suzuki SX4 Sport, American Suzuki Motor Corp. arrives at the Pittsburgh
International Auto Show poised to impress show goers with its exciting lineup
of value-packed cars and SUVs made for people with active lifestyles. In
addition to Suzuki Auto's full-line of vehicles on display at the show,
including the XL7 midsize SUV, media-acclaimed Grand Vitara, and bold and
functional five-door SX4 Crossover, Steel City auto enthusiasts will be
treated to a look at the Zuk, one of the company's dynamic Suzuki LIVE Series
(LIFESTYLE VEHICLES) concept vehicles based on the SX4 Crossover.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060829/LATU016LOGO-c)
"We're excited showcase Suzuki's expanded line of versatile vehicles,
including the all-new SX4 Sport," said Mark Harano, president of American
Suzuki's Automotive Operations. "The Pittsburgh International Auto Show
provides the perfect venue for local-area residents to preview a number of
Suzuki's stylish and fun-to-drive cars and SUVs before making a purchase."
Zuk
Inspired by Suzuki's world-renowned, championship-winning sportbikes, and
derived from the five-door SX4 Crossover, the Zuk concept offers solid
functionality both on the road and the track. Built by Road Race Motorsports
of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the sporty Zuk is powered by a 300-horsepower,
2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine with alcohol injection system,
matched to a five-speed manual transmission.
Designed for ultimate street performance, the stunning SX4 Crossover
concept features a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability
and crisp handling characteristics. The Zuk features Suzuki Hayabusa and
GSX-R-inspired bodywork, ground effects, mirrors, spoiler and exhaust, all
wrapped in blue metallic paint and carbon fiber. Framing accent lights
highlight the Zuk's motorcycle-themed structure and cage, while strategically
placed openings reveal the vehicle's powertrain, wheels, tires and chassis
details. The fully drivable and track-tested Zuk is equipped with a fully
tuned performance suspension system, 19-inch alloy wheels and high-performance
tires.
The motorcycle-inspired design continues inside the Zuk, revealing a
functional, modern sportbike-styled space frame and roll cage. Cove lighting
further accentuates the superbike-inspired structural frame and draws
attention to the GSX-R-inspired instrument cluster. Minimalist racing seats
with charcoal and carbon fiber interior trim and touch points provide interior
comfort and complement the Zuk's optimal driving experience. Other
race-inspired interior appointments include center switches and gauge
set -- evocative of Suzuki racing heritage -- and machined aluminum driver and
navigator foot platforms cantilevered for an exciting motorcycle feel.
Suzuki SX4 Sport
The all-new 2008 four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport is the urban cousin to the
five-door SX4 Crossover and designed to ease the day-in, day-out metropolitan
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 inherited its award-winning handling capabilities from the
Suzuki Swift, which has won more than 16 international awards. Having wowed
journalists and drivers throughout the world, the sporty Swift character
embodied in the SX4 Sport can now be enjoyed by U.S. consumers. Suzuki's
development benchmark for the SX4 Sport was to meet or beat the Swift on key
dynamic performance attributes in order to win the heart of the American
consumer.
SX4's appeal does not end at 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 for 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 as a 2007 model, 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 substantially
lower MSRP than the 2007 model, and include significant 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 plus destination.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
First introduced as a 2006 model, the Grand Vitara has garnered much media
and consumer praise and is the winner of numerous awards, including a "Best
Buy" from Consumer Guide(R)(2). No other SUV in the Grand Vitara's size and
price category better balances off-road capability with the very real needs of
a daily commute. The 2008 Grand Vitara features a standard 2.7-liter, V6,
24-valve DOHC engine, rear-wheel drive and an extensive list of interior
amenities and standard safety features. With its sophisticated Four-Mode
full-time four-wheel drive, the Grand Vitara can handle both smooth pavement
and off-road conditions equally well (4WD models feature a two-speed Lo Range)
and can play an integral part of a consumer's life adventures. And if those
life adventures include an RV, the Suzuki's drivetrain allows
behind-the-vehicle towing.
Upgrades for the 2008 model year include air conditioning with digital
automatic climate control, improved NVH and remote fuel door release. Notable
standard features include side-curtain airbags, side seat airbags, ESP and
traction control. The starting MSRP for the Grand Vitara is $19,349 plus
$650 destination and handling.
2008 Suzuki Auto Product Line
Suzuki's full line of 2008 vehicles includes the stylish four-door SX4
Sport, bold and functional five-door SX4 Crossover, versatile XL7 midsize SUV,
rugged Grand Vitara compact SUV, compact 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.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor
Corporation was founded in 1985 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation
(SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a
network of approximately 500 automotive dealerships in 49 states. Based in
Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and
outboard motor manufacturer with sales of more than two million new
automobiles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has
operations in 187 countries. For more information, visit
http://www.media.suzukiauto.com.
(1) ESP is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC
(2) Consumer Guide(R) is a registered trademark of Publications
International, Ltd.
SOURCE Suzuki

Jeff Holland of American Suzuki, +1-714-996-7040, ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com;
or Andrew Nicolai of PainePR, +1-949-809-6786, anicolai@Painepr.com, for
American Suzuki