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Suzuki makes a Splash


The diminutive Suzuki Splash is expected to create more than a ripple at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Suzuki Australia has broader plans apart from this sub-Swift hatch.

In the next two years Suzuki is expected to deliver four new cars to Australian showrooms designed to attract younger buyers to the brand.

Apart from the Splash and a mid-size sedan based on the Kizashi concept car to be shown at Frankfurt, the company plans a Ford Territory rival and possibly a new sportscar.

Suzuki Australia managing director Tony Devers will not comment on what the fourth model is, but says a MX-5-style sportscar would be a good fit for the company.

Suzuki last had a faux sportscar in the 660cc Cappuccino, which came in limited numbers as a grey import in the 1990s.

Devers also believes there is room in the Suzuki SX4 line-up for a high-performance turbo hatch to take advantage of Suzuki's World Rally Championship link, which he says could arrive next year.

Suzuki will announce its 2008 World Rally Championship team and rally SX4 at the Frankfurt show.

Led by Suzuki motorsport legend Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima, the WRC SX4 has undergone a gruelling test regimen and will make its competitive debut next month at the Rallye de France in Corsica, as part of preparations for the 2008 season.

This year Suzuki will sell 2.4 million vehicles around the world and by 2010 it plans to sell three million.

As with the Swift, Devers expects the Splash to create a stir. Prices are expected to start well below the $15,990 1.5-litre Swift entry price.

At 3700mm long and 1700mm wide, the Splash is about the same size as the Honda Jazz.

Though local specifications are yet to be determined, the Splash will be available in Europe with three engines, including a 55kW 1.3-litre DDiS turbodiesel and three-cylinder petrol.

Australia will probably get the 63kW 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol.

A host of safety features will be standard, including anti-lock brakes and dual airbags. Stability control and side and curtain airbags are expected, too.

Devers believes the Kizashi presents new opportunities for Suzuki Australia because it has not previously had a mid-size entrant.

"It's a growth segment," he says. "Some people are starting to move out of large cars and SUVs and empty-nesters are moving into the prestige mid-size cars like Camry, Mazda6, and I'm confident that will continue."

"Our mid-size entry is being designed in Europe and it will be similarly positioned to its rivals but with better spec, at least to rival its opposition, and at the bottom end of the segment pricing."