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New Maruti Swift Dzire spied in India, it’s a ‘Swift Sedan’

January 17, 2012 at 4:01 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Spyshots, Suzuki

The previous gen Suzuki Swift, which is still current in Malaysia, spawned a sedan in India called Swift Dzire. The looks were odd, but the booted Swift proved popular. Here’s the new one, based on the latest Swift. Caught on camera by MegaPower Services, it confirms that the Dzire name has been continued, and that a launch is imminent.

Viewed from the rear, the “Swift Sedan” looks decent, but the funny proportions are unavoidable, since Suzuki wanted it to be below four metres in length to enjoy the Indian government’s excise benefits for small cars. As a result, the stubby tailed new Dzire is shorter than the old one, which is 4,160 mm long.

In front, the Dzire is distinguished from the hatch by a new grille and fog lamp housings. The cabin is carried over from the new Swift, which dumped the old minimalist dash for a more conventional layout. Being a sedan, the Dzire is trimmed with “luxury” in mind, as opposed to sporty – a two-tone theme and wood trim can be found.

Engine options are said to include a 1.2-litre K Series petrol and a 1.3-litre Multijet diesel from Fiat, engines that already see service in Maruti’s range.

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Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV debuts at Delhi Auto Expo 2012

January 5, 2012 at 3:00 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Suzuki

This is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV, a production version of the Maruti Suzuki Concept rIII that made its debut in Delhi two years ago. I’m quite curious about the name – rIII becomes Ertiga, sounds like Bahasa Malaysia to me!

The Ertiga sits on a Suzuki SX4 platform stretched to have a long 2,740mm wheelbase (overall length: 4265mm, overall width: 1695mm, overall height: 1685mm). That’s actually a pretty long wheelbase, when you compare it to other vehicles in its class.

The 7-seater compact MPV is powered by either a new K-14 model 1.4 liter VVT four cylinder petrol engine producing 94 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 130Nm at 4,000rpm, or a 1.3 liter Fiat four cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 88 horsepower at 4,000rpm and 200Nm of torque from 1,750rpm.

The interior offers features such as a tilt adjustable electric power steering, twin AC, audio system (USB Compatible, 4+2 speakers), steering mounted audio controls, central door locking and keyless entry, multi information display, power windows with auto down and electrically adjustable mirror.

“The Ertiga brings space, style and compactness to Utility vehicles for customers in India. As India gears to be amongst the largest global automobile markets by 2020, with the foray into UV segment, Maruti Suzuki will strengthen its leadership position in the industry. With Ertiga the Maruti Suzuki will step into the Utility Vehicle segments and effectively create a new Compact MPV segment in India,” said CEO of Maruti Suzuki Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi.

We hear that India will be producing CKD kits to be exported around the world, so this is definitely not an India-only product. Will Suzuki Malaysia offer the Ertiga here in Malaysia?

Live photos by MotorBeam.com

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Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha Compact SUV Concept

January 5, 2012 at 2:53 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Suzuki

Compact SUVs seem to be the theme at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012 in India. Not content with letting the Ford EcoSport stand alone, Maruti Suzuki unveiled this concept compact SUV called the Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha at the Auto Expo 2012 today.

The Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha Concept took about 10 months of development time, and 5 Maruti engineers were involved in the project. Maruti Suzuki does not currently have an SUV in the Indian market. SUVs consist of about 14% of the total market in India, and a smaller model like the XA Alpha would probably do better in India compared to larger models like the Grand Vitara.

The production Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha will come with a choice of both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engine is expected to be a 1.3 liter, while details on the diesel engine remains unknown.

“India is set to become one of the top automobile markets of the world. This may become evident as early as the next Delhi Auto Expo. Maruti Suzuki will lead India’s automobile growth and evolution by strengthening its compact car portfolio, entering new segments and creating new product categories across fuel options. The Concept XA is designed for a market of customers with a young urban lifestyle. This Concept showcases the unified R&D efforts of Suzuki and Maruti which will be a big asset for us in India in the future,” said Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi.

Live photos thanks to Motorbeam and Maruti Suzuki.

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Suzuki on course to triple engine production in Indonesia

January 4, 2012 at 12:27 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

Suzuki is on schedule to triple its engine build output to 150,000 units a year in Indonesia – the company’s new engine manufacturing plant, which will take the number to that eventual figure, remains on course, according to a report.

The Nikkei adds that the facility, which will occupy a 1.3 million sq. metre plot on the outskirts of Jakarta, will feature comprehensive engine manufacturing operations by 2015, including the ability to cast and forge engine parts.

The company, which assembles the Swift and SX4 in Indonesia, is working to lift its annual output capacity there from 120,000 vehicles to at least 150,000 next spring. Its engine production capacity in Indonesia however still stands at 50,000 units a year.

The report adds that in addition to using its Indonesian engines and parts locally, Suzuki will consider exporting some output to factories in other ASEAN member countries. At the same time, the company plans to import engines and parts from Thailand to Indonesia, creating a division of labour and cutting costs by consolidating the production of individual engine types.

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Suzuki Kizashi Sport: the new big cheese for Suzy globally

December 19, 2011 at 2:14 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

There’s a new global flagship model for Suzuki, and it’s the Kizashi Sport. The Sport model features a host of external and internal modifications, which include a muscular front fascia (with chrome accents) and lower grille. It also gets body side-sill extensions, lower body side mouldings with chrome accents, custom lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique sport steering wheel with contrasting stitching for its leather seats, gear shift surround and parking brake boot.

It’s powered by the 2.4 litre J24B mill, which offers 178 PS at 6,000 rpm and 230 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm for numbers, mated to a CVT gearbox with manual shift. There’s also an intelligent all-wheel-drive system (i-AWD), which offers switchable 2/4WD; the car can be operated in two-wheel-drive mode, where drive is predominantly to the front wheels with minimum torque transmitted to the rear wheels – operation is via a switch on the dashboard and can be altered when the car is in motion.

Kit for the car includes leather upholstery, sports seats, electric glass sunroof, cruise control, an eight-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and USB port. Safety equipment includes seven airbags, ESP, ABS and EBD.

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Tokyo 2011: Live photos of the Suzuki Regina concept

December 1, 2011 at 12:07 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, International News, Suzuki

We are reporting live from the Land of the Rising Sun and this is the Suzuki Regina concept which could point to a new global compact car from the Japanese brand. Little has been revealed about the car but we do know that it is powered by an 800cc petrol engine that is also turbocharged.

The small engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission or CVT and there is brake energy regeneration and an engine start/stop function. It weighs only 730 kg and has a drag coefficient at least 10% lower than that of current models in Suzuki’s line-up.

This allows the Regina to deliver a fuel economy reading of 3.76 liters per 100 km which is rather impressive. The concept which measures 3,500 mm long and 1,600 mm wide was produced using a new manufacturing process that helps reduce the number of parts required.

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Suzuki wants to divorce VW, taking the dispute to court

November 25, 2011 at 3:29 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki, Volkswagen

We saw it coming, and the sour relationship between Suzuki and VW is now going to the courts, with the Japanese bride demanding that her estranged German husband sign the divorce papers.

“Suzuki is today commencing arbitration proceedings in London with the ICC, International Court of Arbitration, in order to compel Volkswagen AG to dispose of its Suzuki shares to Suzuki or Suzuki’s designated third party,” the company said in a statement released yesterday.

“The arbitration proceedings follow Suzuki’s termination of its alliance, and Volkswagen AG’s lack of response to Suzuki’s requests for the disposition of its shares,” it added.

The Japanese small car expert declared last week that it had ended its alliance with VW, and demanded that the German giant sell back its stake in Suzuki by November 2012. Suzuki also warned that it would seek arbitration if VW refused to sell the 112.21 million shares, or 19.89%, back to Suzuki or an appointed third party.

Suzuki’s executive VP Yasuhito Harayama was previously quoted as saying: “It was made very clear when we tied up with Volkswagen that we did not want to become consolidated, and that we would remain independent. We feel we need to return to the starting point, including over the ownership ratio. The understanding that we are independent companies, and equal partners, is the absolute prerequisite in pursuing any specific cooperation.”

Besides that, Suzuki has complained that VW failed to provide promised access to green technologies, while VW is sore about the supply of diesel engines to Suzuki from Italian rival Fiat.

VW denies any wrongdoing in the marriage and dismissed Suzuki’s claims that it had violated terms of partnership. “Volkswagen categorically rejects these accusations. We are very disappointed (by Suzuki’s decision to seek arbitration). There is no legal reason to take such action,” a company spokesman told AFP.

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Suzuki to build new assembly plant in Vietnam

November 17, 2011 at 12:46 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

Suzuki says it is going to build a new assembly plant in Vietnam to meet the country’s growing need for cars, a report says. The company has been building motorcycles and cars in Vietnam since 1996, and its existing plant in the country turned out 3,000 vehicles in 2010.

The new factory, which will cost the company about one billion yen, will be built in a different location and is scheduled to commence operation in 2013. Suzuki says the new plant will have an initial annual production of 5,000 vehicles, though there are plans to increase capacity later.

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Suzuki Swift EV Hybrid set for Tokyo: market entry in 2013

November 11, 2011 at 8:30 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, International News, Suzuki

Yet another Tokyo debutant from Suzuki, and though the Swift EV Hybrid is also coming through in concept form, it’s downright conventional when you consider the likes of its Regina and Q-concept siblings. It’s also set to make its way into production form sometime in 2013.

On battery power alone, the car offers a 30 km operating range, though an engine-driven generator, as the company tags it, extends travel distance – by how much, Suzuki hasn’t said. No specific details are mentioned, but it shouldn’t stray too far from the Swift Plug-In Concept that was shown at the 2009 edition of the show.

That one featured a 658cc mill offering 54 hp (or 40 kW), working in tandem with a 74 hp (55 kW) electric motor, powered by lithium-ion batteries. The series hybrid system then offered around 20 km of pure electric mode driving, so this one improves on things by a bit.

Suzuki says that the car – which features a covered front grille, LED lighting and covered wheels among the external revisions – has a smaller battery that’s quicker to charge, weighs less, uses fewer resources and costs less. More undoubtedly, in Tokyo.

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Suzuki Q-concept – is that you, Suzy Q?

November 11, 2011 at 1:16 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, International News, Suzuki

Joining the Regina at the Suzuki stand in Tokyo will be the Q-concept, which the company says offers an entirely new kind of mobility, one that’s positioned between conventional motorcycles and cars.

The 2.5 metre long vehicle seats two in a tandem configuration, and Suzuki says it’d be perfect for everyday journeys within a radius of about 10 km, offering more practicality than a car as it’s more manoeuvrable and takes up much less parking space – at the same time, a cabin makes it a more attractive, more comfortable option than a motorcycle.

Which makes it outstandingly handy for shopping, commuting, going to the doctor and transporting children to and from school. Just the thing to have for people who live in towns where businesses, schools, hospitals and other essential facilities are all in relatively compact areas, so it goes.

Ther Q-concept offers configuration options – you can have a single seat for a parent at the front and a two-person child seat at the rear, or it can be configured as a delivery vehicle with a single seat at the front and a cargo area at the rear.

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