By Roy Nakano
www.lacar.com
Following up on the attractive and popular new Grand Vitara, Suzuki is about to crank up its coolness factor a couple of notches with the introduction of the SX4 compact sport crossover hatchback. The -new SX4 is a handsome, Italian-designed five-door hatchback design, featuring standard intelligent all-wheel-drive (i-AWD) system.
"Suzuki designed the SX4 to be a year-round standout on the road under any driving condition," said Osamu Honda, chief engineer, SX4. "The team approached the SX4 with the intention of creating an eye-catching vehicle that would grab the attention of customers who appreciate price, performance, features, styling and safety."
Coming in the fall, the SX4 will feature a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, DOHC engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission or a specially tuned available four-speed automatic transmission. Top track speed is said to be 120 mph for the manual transmission model. Preliminary engine specifications and tuning figures indicate the 1995 cc engine will deliver 143 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque, while early fuel consumption estimates show the SX4 will deliver outstanding EPA fuel economy of 24 mpg/city and 30 mpg/highway.
The SX4 features a rigid steel unibody and a chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe. Suzuki promises good stability on the highway along with crisp and responsive handling and braking and minimal body roll. "High body rigidity along with reinforced suspension mounts allow the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension to work to their full potential," says Honda.
The interior amenities include a standard AM/FM/MP3/CD audio system, with an optional AM/FM/MP3 in-dash six-disc CD changer with six speaker plus subwoofer system. Practical rear split-folding seats offer 60/40 seating to allow for stowage of longer items. The second- row seats also can be tumbled forward for maximum cargo carrying ability. Luggage room is 9.5 cubic feet (270 liters VDA) and increases to 22.0 cubic feet (625 liters VDA) with the rear seats folded forward. The SX4 is riddled with discreet storage compartments located throughout the cabin.
The SX4 is said to offer customers an extensive array of standard safety features. Active safety features include four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock brake system, which are standard with electronic brake-force distribution. In addition, Electronic Stability Program® (ESP) (including traction control)*, standard on the Premium package, generates compensating yaw moment in the event of rear-wheel or front-wheel slip to help the driver return the car to its intended path of travel.
Manufacturer suggested retail prices are expected to start at around $15,000.
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