Suzuki Showcases All-New SX4 Sport, Makai Concept at 2008 San Diego International Auto Show

• Suzuki displays surf-themed convertible concept based on all-new four-door SX4 Sport

• Suzuki exhibits full line of vehicles for active Southern California lifestyles

SAN DIEGO - December 26, 2007: Led by the all-new 2008 four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport, American Suzuki Motor Corp. arrives at the 2008 San Diego 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, San Diego auto enthusiasts will be treated to a look at the Makai, one of the company's dynamic Suzuki LIVE Series (LIFESTYLE VEHICLES) concept vehicles based on the all-new SX4 Sport.

"We're excited to introduce an expanded line of fun-to-drive vehicles, including the all-new SX4 Sport," said Mark Harano, president of American Suzuki's Automotive Operations. "The San Diego International Auto Show provides the perfect venue for Southern California residents to preview a number of Suzuki's stylish and versatile cars and SUVs before making a purchase."

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(R) navigation system, Kinetik Power Cell battery, StreetWires audio/video install kit and cabling, Momo Sport steering wheel and color-keyed interior accent lighting.

Suzuki SX4 Sport

Suzuki SX4 Sport

The all-new 2008 four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport is cousin to the five-door SX4 Crossover and designed to ease the day-in, day-out urban 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 brings award-winning handling capabilities from the Suzuki Swift, which has won more than 16 international awards, to the U.S. market. 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 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 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 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

Suzuki SX4 Crossover

Since its introduction last year, 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 lower MSRP than the previous model, and include substantial 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.

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(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. The starting MSRP for the Grand Vitara is $19,349 plus $650 destination and handling.

2008 Suzuki Auto Product Line
Beyond its head-turning Makai concept based on the spirited four-door SX4 Sport, Suzuki's 2008 vehicle line includes the bold and functional five-door SX4 Crossover, the exciting XL7 midsize SUV, the rugged Grand Vitara compact SUV, the 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.

  1) ESP is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG
  2) Consumer Guide(R) is a registered trademark of Publications
     International, Ltd.