Well-Equipped Suzuki Sx4 Meets Demanding Buyers

Suzuki Enters New Market With 2-Litre Sx4

Suzuki enters a new market segment in New Zealand with the arrival of the SX4 five-door hatchback.

“This new world car represents a fresh challenge for Suzuki as it is our first time in the 2-litre passenger car segment,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.

“We see the all-wheel-drive SX4 selling more into this category than the Sport Utility Vehicle segment,” he said. “What’s more, it sits alone in a new and distinctive market niche that has real appeal.”

Is the newcomer a hatchback, an MPV or a four-wheel-drive? In fact, the car is all three of these.

The Suzuki “soft roader” will compete against models like the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Tida, Mazda 3 and Subaru Imprezza.

“Arguably, the SX4 is the highest specified car in this company and it has all the safety features of the others plus the flexibility of two-wheel-drive or on-demand four-wheel-drive, while it can also be locked for low speed 4WD work in sticky situations,” said Peck.

Clean, functional styling developed in collaboration with Guigiaro’s Italdesign in Italy is already earning wide approval.

A high hip point providing ease of entry and exit, good visibility, on-demand four-wheel-drive and ease of operation in a comfortable passenger car distinguish the Suzuki SX4 from its obvious rivals.

While external dimensions are compact, the SX4 sits higher than opposition 2-litre hatchbacks and offers extra ground clearance.

“The keyword is flexibility,” said Tom Peck, at the introduction of the model. “This is a sort of Swiss army knife kind of a car.”

“Because of the versatility of the five-door configuration we expect this latest Suzuki will appeal to a wide customer base,” he said.

During the initial year, New Zealand sales of the model are targeted to reach 650 units.

The 2.0-litre i-AWD (“Intelligent all-wheel-drive) version that goes on sale in New Zealand is equally as home in tight city traffic as it is in a rural environment where unexpected road conditions may be encountered.

“This versatile car embodies the Suzuki philosophy that vehicles should adapt to how people live their lives.

“Today people spend a lot more time involved in outdoor activities and the SX4 is able to meet most of the requirements needed in a busy life, from the week day school run to the weekend mountain bike or skiing trip,” said Peck.

Fusing the dynamism of SUVs with the elegance of passenger cars results in poise and presence that belies the SX4’s compact size.

A low, rising waistline and large, triangular windows ahead of the front doors give rise to a sporty wedge shape. Pronounced wheel arches and wide tracks help create an appearance of stability and traction.

The black wheel arch mouldings that extend to the front and rear undersides also protect the body against minor damage.

Wrap around headlights look aggressive while the rear tail lights are mounted high on the body and curve around the side of the vehicle to increase visibility to other road users.

Roof rails not only emphasise the active lifestyle of the SX4 but are also functional and reinforce the car’s fun factor. There are large electrically adjustable door mirrors and external door handles are body colour-keyed.

The aerial is mounted in the rear centre of the roof, out of harm’s way, and a concealed external release for the hatchback door eliminates any fumbling for keys.

“This is a new model that will appeal to motorists wanting something a little out of the ordinary, and a car with flair and confidence,” said Tom Peck. “They will also be wowed by the SX4’s remarkably low price tag.”

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ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM BOOSTS SUZUKI SX4 VERSATILITY

The newly developed and highly versatile Suzuki all-wheel-drive system is a key element in the SX4 five-door multi purpose model.

The i-AWD – Intelligent All Wheel Drive – system offers three modes, from two-wheel-drive to automatic engagement of four wheel drive and locking of all wheel drive.

An electronically controlled nine-plate clutch pack takes drive to the rear wheels under orders from a three-position switch beside the handbrake.

Two wheel drive is the most economical of the three modes, and is ideal for most motoring conditions.

In Auto mode the system detects any disparity between the speeds of the front and rear wheels, engaging rear wheel drive when it is needed to provide four wheel drive.

Torque going to the rear is automatically increased or decreased to match traction requirements in variable conditions, such as slippery surfaces.

In the Locked position, the front-rear torque distribution is locked to ensure added traction from a standstill and to ensure stable driving in mud, snow and on other low traction surfaces.

This mode is maintained up to 60 km/h for full traction, before automatically switching over to the 4WD auto setting.

Changing the drive mode is simply a matter of activating a switch located to the left of the handbrake.

Unlike full off road four-wheel-drives, the SX4 dispenses with a transmission transfer box, yet still has the ability to cope with slippery surfaces, muddy or snowy tracks and limited off-road driving.

Buyers have the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-stage automatic transmission.

High rigidity housings and brackets reduce noise and vibrations in the manual transmission and a new gear train design improves durability, with better shift quality and reduced friction.

The driver can shift gears manually with the automatic for added control or simply select the automatic transmission mode.

All versions sold here are powered by Suzuki’s 2-litre, J20A, 16 valve, double overhead camshaft engine, with aluminium cylinder block and cylinder head.

This proven motor is also used in the Grand Vitara and provides the new SX4 with a top speed of 180 km/h.

The power unit has cross-flow intake and exhaust valve layout and a wear-resistant cast iron cylinder liner press fitted to the aluminium cylinder block.

A brass/cast iron camshaft has a hollow structure to reduce weight, while the camshafts are driven by a durable timing chain.

Producing 107 kW of power at 5,870 rpm, the J20A engine’s peak torque of 184 Nm is achieved at 3,500 rpm.

The engine has a resin intake manifold utilising an air tuning system to enhance both engine output and torque.

This varies the effective length of the intake manifold, improving engine torque. When the intake control valve is totally closed, torque between medium and high rev ranges falls, while it improves between low and medium ranges.

Conversely, when the intake manifold tuning valve is fully open, the effective intake pipe length is shorter. Engine torque between middle and high rpm ranges improves, while dropping between low and middle rpm ranges.

By opening and closing the control valve the intake tuning system effectively marries varying engine speed to improve torque across the rev range.

A four into one collective double stainless steel tube exhaust manifold is used, with relatively long ports to avoid interference of exhaust gases and to improve torque in the important low to medium engine speeds.

The SX4’s multi-point fuel injected power plant has an electrically driven radiator fan, reducing engine load and allowing it to perform more freely. It also features fly-by-wire throttle body assembly, comprising accelerator pedal and electrically driven throttle body.

An accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor is built into the accelerator pedal assembly, and transmits its position to the electronic control module (ECM).

The ECM decodes the signal from the accelerator assembly and controls the throttle valve electric motor.

Official Australian ADR fuel tests show the SX4 manual transmission model averages 8.7 litres/100 km (32.5 miles per gallon) in the combined cycle (9.5 litres/100 km or 29.7 mpg for the automatic).

In the extra urban, or highway, cycle, the Suzuki returns 7.2 litres/100 km (39.2 mpg), and 7.5 litres/100 km (37.7 mpg) for the automatic version. The results for the urban cycle are 11.3 litres/100 km (25 mpg) for the manual and 12.8 litres/100 km (22.2 mpg) for the automatic.

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Well-Equipped Suzuki Sx4 Meets Today’s Demanding Buyers

Higher than all its rivals and wider than most of them, the new Suzuki SX4 offers a unique new motoring perspective among lower medium size cars.

Within the compact 4,135mm overall length and 2,500mm wheelbase is a roomy, practical vehicle with individual looks and a comprehensive specification.

And the car’s highly competitive recommended retail pricing puts this latest Suzuki on a strong footing from day one.

Not only are interior dimensions generous, but also leg and shoulder room for both front and rear occupants easily accommodate taller people. Access is eased by high ground clearance, large door openings and higher than usual seat positioning.

Front seating is commodious and supportive and the rear seats are positioned with a slightly higher hip point than the front seats to provide good vision for those in the back.

Height adjustment is standard for the driver’s seat and the heavily raked windscreen and front quarter windows accord good frontal vision.

In spite of the good interior space, the SX4 is slightly shorter than a five-door Suzuki Grand Vitara and 65mm lower than the fully-fledged four wheel drive model.

The 60:40 split folding rear seats boost flexibility and can be tumbled forward to create an almost fully flat load floor. Boot capacity is 270 litres (VDA) that increases to 625 litres (VDA) when the rear seats are folded.

Designers have used various shades of black for the interior with metallic accents near the centre of the dashboard to create an upmarket interior which echo’s the cars European design.

The facia centre includes an integrated Clarion single CD stereo audio system (MP3 and WMA capable), air conditioning controls (climate air conditioning on the Limited model) and a multi function information display.

This display details time, outside air temperature and either instant or average fuel consumption readout.

The audio has four speakers and four tweeters and can be operated by the driver via steering wheel integrated controls.

Cruise control switches, standard on Limited, are also integrated into the steering wheel for ease of operation.

Ample storage space includes nine pockets, there are map lights for driver and front passenger and the interior light incorporates a handy fade function. The SX4’s interior boasts no fewer than seven drink bottle holders, while a handy bag holder or “curry” hook is located on the rear of the front passenger seat and in the rear luggage compartment.

Light grey patterned centres relieve black cloth trim upholstery while cloth panels add style to the door trims.

Standard on all models is power steering, tilt adjustable steering and height/slide adjustment for the driver’s seat.

There is electric operation of front and rear windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, remote central door locking, driver’s seatbelt warning light, lights-off reminder and door ajar and low fuel warning lights.

Also included is a lockable glove compartment, 12 volt AC socket, console box, rear luggage cover, halogen headlamps, green tinted glass, roof rails and height adjustment for the front seatbelt anchors.

The top grade LTD SX4 adds keyless entry with keyless start, cruise control, climate air conditioning, leather covered three-spoke bound steering wheel, rear spoiler, front fog lamps, alloy wheels and side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags.

The price-leading GLX 5-speed manual arrives in dealer showrooms at a remarkable recommended retail price of $24,500. The automatic GLX is $26,000.

In LTD form with manual transmission, the latest Suzuki is $26,500, rising to $28,000 for the LTD automatic.

ENDS

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