Vehicle Stats
Suzuki Kizashi
The Kizashi sport sedan is Suzuki’s first foray into the volume-oriented midsize segment. While standard passenger cars may not seem appropriate fare for an intercontinental destination, Kizashi’s mainstream spec – with healthy 2.4-liter four-cylinder power, CVT transmission and available all-wheel drive – looks to be completely appropriate for an international trek.
Suzuki Equator
The Equator pickup truck will serve in a support category and is a completely stock vehicle. The Equator is designed to deliver real off-road capability to the driver as they focus on both the journey and the destination.
Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 motorcycle is engineered for an ideal combination of lightweight agility and crisp handling that invites riders to carve up canyon roads or ride the open highway in all-day comfort. It is a great choice for the Tokyo to L.A.: The Hard Way Road Trip!
Vehicle Stats
In August 2010, Suzuki and the editors of Motor Trend are embarking on an international adventure, putting the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi through the ultimate long-term road test. To help navigate an unpredictable drive route consisting of 7,518 miles of asphalt, gravel and mud through Japan, Russia, Canada and the U.S., the Kizashi and Motor Trend drive team will be accompanied by the off-road capable Suzuki Equator pickup truck and the Suzuki V-Strom 650 adventure-bred motorcycle, along with enthusiast magazine’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road and Motorcyclist. Follow along through video, photography and live updates to experience the diverse mix of breathtaking scenery and fascinating cultures from Suzuki’s intercontinental trek.
Suzuki Kizashi
With the focus squarely on Kizashi, from its departure at the Sagara plant to its arrival at American Suzuki headquarters in Brea, Calif., Suzuki’s newest sport sedan has a lot riding on the journey’s successful outcome. Having launched in the winter of 2009, the Kizashi has received kudos from countless members of automotive and business media. Targeted squarely at an audience with an appreciation for midsize cars, the Kizashi reflects a premium without the premium design ethos, whose features found in both its platform and accoutrement are typically more appropriate for a much more expensive sport sedan. Its basic appeal – such as all-wheel drive and fully independent suspension – is enhanced with basic protections appropriate to what is essentially a three-week, off-road enduro. The Kizashi has received aluminum skid plates to prevent rock damage, protection for brake and fuel lines, increased suspension travel (for Russian leg only), an additional spare wheel carrier, enhanced tool kit and endurance-spec tires.
Suzuki Equator
The Equator pickup truck, piloted by the editors of 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine, will serve in a support category and is a completely stock vehicle. The 2009 4-Wheel and Off-Road Truck of the Year winner sports a healthy 4.0-liter V6, 4×4 drivetrain and a rugged platform. The Equator is designed to deliver real off-road capability to the driver as they focus on both the journey and the destination. The truck is equipped with class-leading standard safety features, including standard side-impact and rollover supplemental airbags and seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags, as well as standard stability controls. The exceptional combination of style, utility, comfort and off-road capability makes the Equator perfect for this “Hard Way” or – for that matter – any challenging route of your choosing.
Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle
Suzuki’s V-Strom 650 motorcycle is engineered for an ideal combination of lightweight agility and crisp handling that invites riders to carve up canyon roads or ride the open highway in all-day comfort. It is emblematic of today’s adventure-sport motorcycle, with simplistic specs (V-Twin delivering a extraordinary amount of low-speed torque), relatively light weight and generous ground clearance. From a standard spec V-Strom, the mods are modest – skid plate protection for the engine’s lower end and more dirt-specific rubber tires supplied by Pirelli.