Suzuki Auto Debuts All-New SX4 Sport and 2008 Line-Up at 2007 State Fair of Texas
 Suzuki SX4 |
Suzuki delivers a stylish, fun-to-drive and affordable four-door
DALLAS, TX - September 27, 2007: Making its 2008 auto show season debut at the State Fair of Texas, the all-new, four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport is poised to impress show goers with its standout styling cues and performance-oriented capabilities. Suzuki also brings its full-line of exciting cars and SUVs, including the XL7 midsize crossover SUV and bold and functional five-door SX4 Crossover. In addition to Suzuki's full-line of vehicles on display at the show, Texas auto enthusiasts will be treated to a look at the BaseCamp, one of the company's dynamic "Suzuki LIVE Series" concept vehicles based on the XL7.
"We're excited to introduce the all-new SX4 Sport to the Lone Star State, as well as showcase the rest of Suzuki's 2008 full-line of vehicles, including two regional favorites -- the Grand Vitara and XL7," said Mark Harano, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. "Suzuki has a solid network of approximately 40 dealers in Texas, and their contributions will be invaluable as we move toward another record sales year in 2007."
BaseCamp
 The Carlab's BaseCamp |
The BaseCamp's exterior is blanketed with liquid metal body paint and finished with titanium cladding around the perimeter of the vehicle, which also is easily converted to a catwalk for unprecedented upper vehicle access and storage.
The concept features a unique gullwing passenger side door that when opened, reveals a warm, inviting, modern interior room and attachable peninsula bar work station with full media connectivity, including Wi-Fi Internet access, Bluetooth integration and iPod(R)(1)/MP3 capabilities. The BaseCamp also features a custom roof rack system with an integrated dual slot bike rack and Santa Cruz mountain bikes, eight high-intensity LED light clusters, including a unique "down" lighting system, an enclosed cargo/luggage area and forward-mounted miniature camera. After arriving at a campsite, a modern canopy with carbon fiber frame can be attached to the roof rack, keeping adventurers dry in inclement weather or protecting against the sun, and creating a welcoming ambiance for visitors.
The BaseCamp's interior reflects a similar high-tech design and feel with mica-hued light-toned seating and titanium accents throughout the inside of the vehicle. In the rear cargo area, the vehicle features a utility storage pack and access system.
Additionally, the XL7 concept is equipped with in-dash CD/DVD and GPS/Navigation system with real-time traffic.
SX4 Sport
The all-new 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is the automotive cousin to the SX4
Crossover and designed to ease the day-in, day-out urban grind for its
drivers. Sharing a common appeal for those who live a life consistent with
Suzuki's "Way of Life" brand philosophy, the four-door SX4 Sport and
five-door SX4 Crossover seamlessly blend into varied driving conditions and
environments.
The SX4 Sport brings award winning handling capabilities from the Suzuki Swift, which won more than 16 international awards, to the U.S. market. Having wowed journalists and hundreds of thousands of 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 stop on the track, as it offers bold, youthful styling along with a generous list of standard features and a surprisingly roomy interior. Targeted toward younger male buyers, the SX4 Sport represents a core model for Suzuki that has a personality distinct from its competitors.
Powertrain
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, and 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.
Dynamic Handling
The SX4 Sport shares some key design elements with the Suzuki Swift and
features a rigid steel unibody underpinned by a confidence-inspiring
chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe to provide good stability on the
highway along with crisp and responsive handling and braking and minimal
body roll. Its rigid structure, along with reinforced suspension mounts,
allows the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension to work
to their full potential. The sport tuned suspension with 10mm (0.4 in)
lower ride height compared to the SX4 Crossover, KYB performance shocks and
standard stabilizer bars deliver dynamic, responsive handling. Steering and
yaw performance, skid pad performance, braking performance, and body roll
and brake force control of the SX4 Sport are superior of that of the Swift.
The combination of wide track and large 17-inch wheels with low profile 50
Series tires help optimize the ride-and-handling balance.
Driving in Confidence
The SX4 Sport offers customers an extensive array of standard safety
features. Active safety features include daytime running lights, four-wheel
Bosch disc brakes with ABS, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Passive safety elements include a safety-reinforced body with front and
rear crumple zones designed to help absorb impact energy. The unibody
design directs much of the impact energy away from the reinforced cabin
area.
Six airbags are standard on the SX4 Sport: driver and front passenger advanced airbags and side-impact airbags; and side curtain airbags designed to provide additional protection for outboard front-and-rear-seat passengers. In addition, the SX4 Sport is fitted with front three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point emergency locking retractor rear seat belts, ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors, LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) and a high-mounted stop lamp.
The Electronic Stability Program(2) (ESP) is available on SX4 Sport Touring models and provides outstanding safety and control. The system uses the SX4's electronic brake and traction control systems to measure vehicle speed, steering wheel angle and yaw faster than a typical driver might. This information is sent to a central controller that can intervene as needed. Under certain conditions, such as when unintended oversteer or understeer is detected, the system can apply individual brakes and reduce engine torque to help the driver maintain the proper cornering line. Together with the traction control system, ESP helps ensure vehicle stability when cornering, under acceleration, during emergency maneuvers and/or when driving on slippery road surfaces.
Styling that gets noticed
Suzuki has created a handsome, versatile car with poise and presence far
beyond the SX4 Sport's compact size and price. The SX4 Sport features bold
styling from Suzuki's own design studio in Japan. The front lamp design is
inspired by Japanese Kabuki masks, and a large Suzuki "S" over the
honeycomb mesh grille is used to accentuate the sporty attributes of the
vehicle, and distinguish the Suzuki brand from its bland-looking
competition.
The body features a low, rising waistline and large, triangular-shaped windows forward of the front doors, giving the SX4 Sport a sporty wedge shape indicative of its outstanding dynamic performance. The wide track, standard 17-inch alloy wheels and flared fenders also add to the appearance of traction and dynamic performance.
Where the SX4 Crossover offers a big-as-Texas cargo area, the SX4 Sport provides generous, secure storage within its oversized trunk. Whether using the car personally or professionally, owners will enjoy the spacious cargo area, one of the largest in the segment. A rear deck lid spoiler is available to complete the look.
Amenity-filled Interior
The stylish design continues inside the SX4 Sport. A functional and
high-tech center panel offers large, circular controls flanked by modern
aluminum-colored trim. Instruments and controls seem to float as they are
backlit by contemporary, high-tech red lighting, and the ergonomic design
of the instrument cluster and dashboard provides clear views of the meters
and easy access to the controls for a true driver-oriented cabin. The
sporty cockpit theme extends throughout the cabin with a dark interior
featuring black cloth for a look both sharp and refined.
The handsome integrated center stack contains a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers or an available six-disc in-dash CD AM/FM/MP3 audio system with nine speakers (including subwoofer). Both audio systems are XM Satellite Radio-capable. It is a striking example of function complementing form. Customers who want the convenience of a fully integrated iPod system can purchase a Suzuki iPod interface from their Suzuki dealer. Once the device is plugged in, it works seamlessly through the radio -- or the steering wheel-mounted controls -- and playlists and each song's information appears on the radio display. Also available on a dealer-installed basis is Suzuki's Bluetooth(R) connectivity option. Equally distinctive in the segment is the availability of a SmartPass keyless entry and start system on the Touring trim level.
With seating for five, the SX4 Sport offers both utility and style. Driver and passenger comfort is excellent due to the large cabin proportions. The in-command seating position provides a higher hip-point than the competition and optimizes visibility for driving confidence and control along with superior ease of entry and egress. The expansive interior provides both driver and passengers with room to relax, and the exterior dimensions provide outstanding maneuverability for crowded city streets and parking areas. With generous legroom and shoulder room, even for the rear-seat passengers, interior volumes are equal to or better than volume leaders in the segment, and provide class-leading headroom.
Beyond the generous interior is a large trunk with more than 14 cubic feet designed for storage and security. In addition, there are many discreet storage compartments located throughout the cabin, and all the doors feature large pockets and bottle holders for added convenience.
Trim Levels and Packages
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 (EBD), 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 SX4 Sport is $14,770 plus $625 destination and handling.
The SX4 Sport also offers two optional packages: Convenience and Touring. The Convenience Package adds cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, automatic climate control and heated outside mirrors. The starting MSRP for the SX4 with the Convenience Package is $15,270.
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 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.
2008 Suzuki Product Line
Beyond Suzuki's spirited SX4 Sport, the company's popular and versatile
line matches the needs of every lifestyle and includes the functional SX4
Crossover, exciting XL7 midsize crossover SUV, rugged Grand Vitara, Forenza
sedan and Forenza Wagon, and European-styled 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: 100,000-mile/seven-year,
fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
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