Suzuki SX4 2011 News

The Japanese company is joining the lemming-like rush into baby SUVs. Just as everyone from Ford to Holden and Renault is pushing into the sub-compact class that's developing below models such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, Suzuki is planning to reinvent its SX4 as a genuine SUV.Until now it's been a lightly-worked Swift wagon with all-wheel drive, but that will change when the iV-4 concept goes into production in 2014.A teaser shot of the iV-4 ahead of its public unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month points to a vehicle almost as large as the Grand Vitara, but with a much more car-like drive that will take it up against the Ford EcoBoost, Holden Trax, Renault Captur and others.It's part of a new-car push that includes a replacement for the baby Alto and also the S-Cross newcomer. But Suzuki is keeping tight wraps on the iV-4, even from its Australian crew. "We currently have no information," the Suzuki Australia spokesman, Paul Ellis, tells Carsguide.The preview picture reflects a new approach to styling at Suzuki, including what is likely to be a clamshell bonnet - similar to the Mini -  and a split grille with a new shape of LED running lamps. The side profile is typically SUV, with a practical back end and workable ground clearance.Suzuki fans cannot wait for the iV-4 and the rest of the brand's new models, after a product drought created by the Global Financial Crisis. "The last big launch we did was the all-new Swift in 2011 and 2012 with the Sport model. We're getting some product back in the veins again, which is nice," says Ellis.He confirms the new Alto as well as the SUV push. "Over the next couple of years we're looking at S-Cross, the new Alto and this compact SUV from the iV-4."The concept shown at Paris last year becomes the S-Cross and that will hopefully be here before year's end. Then we have the Alto and what comes from the iV-4. But we will have to wait another month even for the first look at that one."This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

The move, dropping the sedan, reverts to the body shape with which it first launched the car in early 2007.  Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers says the sedan has fallen victim to the market segment's stronger demand for the hatch. “We've taken the sedan out of the range, the hatch market is so much stronger so that's the direction we're taking,” Mr Devers says.  “We're trying to keep the value in it, it's a competitive market out there, we're confident that pricing and the extra spec will help it,” he says. Mr Devers says the model update offers small car customers a value-for-money package and a new TV campaign in October will raise its profile.  “We need to increase SX4 volumes, we've maintained the lower price from earlier this year, and with added spec, so we're expecting a 20 per cent increase in sales, we know the two-litre engine is a ripper, we've just got to get a higher profile for the SX4,” he says. NEW LOOK Due in showrooms this month is the new model, boasting a facelifted front end, new-look alloys, new fabric seat trim and exterior rear vision mirrors with indicators. PRICE AND EQUIPMENT Pricing is largely unchanged, starting from $18,990 for entry-level manual, rising (like the rest of the range) by $2000 for the CVT version; $24,290 buys the S model, which is a CVT-only proposition. The all-wheel drive range starts at $21,990 for the manual or $23,990 for the CVT, while S buyers will pay $24,490 for the manual and $26,490 for the S CVT.  The standard features list now includes cruise control and Bluetooth, as well as power windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with illuminated controls, remote central locking, air conditioning, an eight speaker sound system, a trip computer, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and brakeforce distribution systems, six airbags and power mirrors. The S models adds 16in alloys, remote keyless entry and ignition, wheel-mounted gearshift paddles for CVT models, climate control, a touchscreen satnav with Bluetooth and voice activation and a USB auxiliary input. ENGINE The engine bay is still inhabited by the two-litre powerplant teamed with either a six-speed manual or a continuously-variable automatic transmission. SAFETY The little hatch boasts six airbags and stability control across the range and will also be available in two new colours - a metallic "plasma” yellow and boost blue, which is back on the colour choice list.  

It has taken Skoda a little over 100 years to populate 90 countries around the world, so its arrival here was inevitable. Even if presence fills up an already maxed out marketplace

The car industry uses a web of alliances to survive.Lust, affairs, one-night stands, engagements, marriages and divorces — it can be hard sharing your love. It can also be expensive, especially if the human analogy is applied to the car business.DaimlerChrysler's recent divorce cost the now-solo Daimler AG a cool $33 billion.Daimler and its former partner, now known by her maiden name of Chrysler Group, still share the kids.These include shared components and manufacturing, including the Chrysler Crossfire (based on the previous Mercedes-Benz SLK) and Jeep Grand Cherokee, which uses Mercedes' V6 diesel engine and transmission.Daimler-Benz and Chrysler courted in the late 1990s, sealing their association in 1998 with a new name, DaimlerChrysler.The marriage was mutually beneficial. Daimler gained economies of scale and a new customer for engines, transmissions and an outlet for its old platforms. The previous Mercedes E-Class shares the same platform as the Chrysler 300C.Chrysler gained unprecedented, cost-effective access to the drivetrains used to power its distinctively styled cars.Of the divorce, shareholders of Daimler- Chrysler spitefully said “I knew it wouldn't work”.Marriages may be difficult, but alliances are what keep many car companies afloat.All these inter-relationships are spurred by one goal — profit. So competitive is the car industry that every dollar counts.Making cars cheaper improves profits, even if that means relocating factories to countries with low labour costs, non-existent unions and tax-free government incentives.Few would know that 10 models on the Australian market are made in Thailand. South Africa makes five, there's one from the Czech Republic, three from Slovakia, one from Poland, four from Malaysia and one from Indonesia.Build quality in most cases is as good as you'd expect from a country-of-origin factory.The biggest difference is manufacturing costs. Building a Volkswagen Golf in Germany, for example, costs substantially more than building the same car in South Africa. Sharing components such as engines, transmissions, platforms and bodies with a rival company — or at least one perceived as being a rival — is big business.The platform of the Mazda3 is similar to the Volvo S40 and Ford Focus. Ford has a big chunk of Mazda's shares and owns Volvo outright.The Toyota Aygo, a one-litre hatch soon to be sold in Australia, is built in the Czech Republic with the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107. The only differences are interior trim, grilles, head and tail lights. Everything else, except the badge, is identical.General Motors has a giant web of ownership, component sharing and minor shareholdings. It owns Saab and Hummer, and rebadges cars including the Daewoo Matiz as Chevrolets.GM owned 20 per cent of Fiat until it dissolved the relationship in 2005. But retains component sharing deals and owns 50 per cent of Fiat's JTD diesel engine technology.GM also has 3 per cent of Suzuki (it had 20 per cent until selling down in March 2006) and 7.9 per cent of Isuzu.This relationship crosses with Fiat. Suzuki buys Fiat diesel engines for its European cars but also buys diesels from the PSA group (owner of Peugeot and Citroen) and Renault. Fiat this year will also supply diesel engine's to Saab.The Suzuki Splash, to be launched in Europe later this year is based on the Swift/SX4 platform, but will be rebadged the Opel/Vauxhall Agila for European sales.Fiat sells the Suzuki SX4 as the Sedici in Europe.Suzuki also owns 11 per cent of GM-DAT, the Korean-based company that makes the Holden Epica, Captiva, Viva and Barina.GM sold its 20 per cent of Subaru parent, Fuji Heavy Industries, in 2005. Fuji bought back most of the shares, though Toyota bought in and now owns 8.7 per cent of the company.Toyota also owns Daihatsu and has a big stake in Yamaha. Yamaha has an engineering alliance with Toyota — twin-cam engine and multi-valve heads included — and recently created the V8 engine for Ford-owned Volvo.GM also gets its Saab plant in Sweden to make the Cadillac BLS mid-size car, alongside its Saab 9-3 and 9-5.The Hyundai Sonata's 2.4-litre engine is shared with the Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Chrysler Sebring and Mitsubishi Outlander.Renault has an alliance with Nissan and owns Samsung (Korea) and has a joint venture with Mahindra (India).Porsche's Cayenne SUV is built in Volkswagen's factory in Slovakia alongside the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7. Porsche's Cayman is built in Finland. That's just the tip of iceberg.Peyton Place has nothing on these guys. 

A fresh Japanese attack on the World Rally Championship will inspire a new Suzuki. The baby brand plans to topple Citroen and Ford in the forests from 2008, then attack the Subaru WRX and Lancer Evo in showrooms. Its weapon is the SX4, a compact all-wheel-drive wagon receiving the full treatment for the WRC and gaining a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine for the road. The power target is at least 150kW. The car will have permanent AWD and a wild body kit that will be keyed to the SX4 WRC. "We will develop a sporty version of the SX4. From 2008 we will challenge for the World Rally Championship," says Hirotaka Ono, Suzuki Motor Corporation board member in charge of strategic planning. "We will use a 2.0-litre turbo for the sporty version." The SX4 was previewed in Japan this week ahead of Australian sales from the first quarter of next year, with a likely starting price in the $22,000 range. It is a new car from Suzuki and was designed and developed as a compact crossover wagon. The idea is similar to that of the new Dodge Caliber and a switch from the hatchbacks and sedans that dominate the small-car scene. The Suzuki is less aggressive and more likely to appeal to women. Suzuki is moving into full-scale development of its WRC SX4 with its Suzuki Sport division and will soon be trialling cars on roads used for the world championship. "We will start the program in the WRC sometime in 2007. From 2008 we will challenge for the championship," Ono says. Suzuki has already won world rally titles with its front-wheel-drive Ignis and Swift. INDIAN ENTRY The first Indian-built cars for Australia will be sold in Suzuki showrooms. India will be tapped within three years for a sub-Swift car that will be sold throughout the world. It is likely to have a 1.0-litre engine and a hatchback body. Suzuki will also move into the mid-sized prestige market by 2010 with a car to rival the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series.