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  • Maruti Suzuki Ertiga launched in India – it’s a Swift MPV

    In Cars, India, International News, Suzuki / By / / 21 comments


    Last week saw the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga in India. First shown at the Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year, Ertiga is the production version of the Concept rIII show two years earlier. Sitting on a extended Swift platform, the Ertiga is a seven-seat MPV with a 2-3-2 seating configuration, pretty much like a Toyota Avanza.

    But it’s a bigger car than the Toyota MPV. The Ertiga measures 4,265 mm long, and has a 2,740 mm wheelbase. Both figures shade the Avanza’s 4,150 mm and 2,655 mm. The second row of seats can slide back and forth, and there are 135 litres of cargo room with all seats in place, rising to 735 litres with two rows of seats folded down.

    The Ertiga also debuts a new K-Series, 1,373 cc VVT engine. This K14B unit makes 95 PS and 130 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Indians also get a diesel option, the proven 1,248cc MultiJet engine with 90 PS and 200 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Both are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The oil burner is claimed to be good for 20.77 km/l, over 4 km/l better than the petrol unit.

    There are six trim levels in India, from the 5.89 lakh LXi (RM34,726) to 8.54 lakhs (RM50,353) for the range topping ZDi. India’s auto market leader has collected 10,000 bookings for the Ertiga in five days following the launch, so it’s a big hit. The majority of those orders were for the diesel engine, despite it being more expensive variant.

    Exports to Indonesia will start next month. Is Malaysia in the plans somewhere down the line? Click here for a live gallery of the Ertiga from the Delhi Auto Expo.

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  • Suzuki Kizashi is finally here – two trims, from RM147,888

    In Cars, Local News, Suzuki / By / / 185 comments

    Suzuki Malaysia Automobile (SMA) has finally given the Suzuki Kizashi an official launch – the D-segment sedan was unveiled at the roof of Lot 10 this morning. Only one drivetrain is available here – a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 176 hp (131 kW) and 230 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

    This J24B unit is paired to a CVT gearbox with six ratios, controlled by paddle shifters. 0-100 km/h is done in 8.8 seconds and top speed is 205 km/h. We’re pleasantly surprised to see performance figures on the brochure, something not very common these days. Fitting, since the Kizashi is positioned as a sports entrant, and looks the part.

    Fully imported from Japan, the Kizashi is new ground for Suzuki, both in price and type of car. Known as a small car expert, the Kizashi (translates roughly to “something great is coming” in Japanese) sees Suzuki trying its luck in a segment dominated by Japanese heavyweights and a new breed of Euro sedans coming in from VW, Peugeot and Ford. Let’s not forget that the Koreans are very much in the game, too.

    However, the Kizashi is rather unique, because it’s smaller bodied compared to a Camry or Accord. The car’s length and width of 4,650 mm and 1,820 mm is only 110 mm and 65 mm more than that of a Honda Civic, and the Suzuki’s 2,700 mm wheelbase is identical to the C-segment Honda’s. So it’s clearly not for those who want the most space for money, but the proportions lend the Kizashi a compact and muscular appearance, like a proper sports sedan.

    Two trim levels are sold by SMA, the SDLX and Sport. The well equipped SDLX is priced at RM147,888 and it comes with six airbags, traction control, ESP, leather seats (from Japan, not locally fitted), electric seats (10-way for driver with three memory settings), auto cruise, keyless entry and push start, ABS, EBD, BA and Hill Assist.

    There’s more. Stereo with steering controls and USB, front/rear parking sensors, auto folding side mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto leveling HID headlamps with washer and 17-inch alloys are all standard on the cheaper Kizashi. Quite a list.

    The Sport, which looks more menacing, is priced at RM158,188 OTR with insurance. As seen on the white car here, it adds on 18-inch rims in a sportier design, sports suspension that lowers ride height by 10 mm, a different front bumper and chrome highlights around the car. Inside, Sport trim gives you a sport leather gear knob and silver stitching on the seats and gearshift/handbrake boot.

    Here’s an interesting fact. The headlights of the Kizashi are from Malaysia! A supplier from Penang supplies the headlights to Suzuki Japan, which fits it on every Kizashi it makes.

    Actually, SMA worked hard to get prices down to the current level, which is very decent for a fully-loaded 2.4L CBU import from Japan. On a different note, SMA bosses let slip that the new Swift will be assembled at DRB-Hicom’s Pekan plant, but it won’t start so soon, perhaps a year from now.

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  • Buying books bags avid reader a Suzuki Grand Vitara

    In Local News, Suzuki / By / / 1 comment

    Now, who says that reading doesn’t pay? Lee Hor San will tell you it does, and in a big way. Lee emerged as the grand prize winner in the MPH Read & Reap Contest, and walked away with a Suzuki Grand Vitara.

    The contest, organised by MPH Bookstores in conjunction with its 105th anniversary, kicked off in March last year, and customers who bought a minimum of RM50 worth of books – either at MPH Bookstores outlets or through its web store – became eligible to enter it. Participants were asked to count the number of books in a given image, come out with a creative book title and a short synopsis.

    Each month, one main prize winner was selected to enter the final by a panel of judges from MPH Bookstores, Suzuki Malaysia, Samsung Malaysia and an editor from a local daily. The entries of all ten finalists were eventually posted on mphonline.com and open to public voting, with points from the panel of judges determining the eventual winner.

    Lee’s winning entry was titled The Lord of the Fly – An Autobiography, which was about a zipper tycoon revealing his private life and stories of living in the fastener lane. Aside from the Grand Vitara, which came courtesy of Suzuki Malaysia, Lee also took home a Samsung Wave S8500 and an i-River Cover Story. Not a bad haul in his books, eh?

     

  • Suzuki Ertiga MPV to be introduced in Indonesia

    In Cars, International News, Suzuki / By / / 21 comments

    Suzuki says it plans to introduce the Ertiga compact MPV in Indonesia in the near future, with the aim of taking its annual sales volume to 100,000 units. Last year, the Japanese automaker sold 91,000 vehicles in the country.

    The Ertiga, which debuted at the Delhi Auto Expo in January in its Maruti Suzuki form, will thus be sold in both Indian and Indonesian markets, with vehicles for the latter market being produced in Indonesia, quite likely from CKD kits prepared in India.

    The 4.2 metre-long seven-seater will be offered in two engine variant guises, a 1.4 litre gasoline and a 1.3 litre diesel, with pricing to be announced at a later point, presumably at launch. Suzuki is aiming to make its large seating capacity, coupled with its compact size and frugally-sized engine, the main selling points for the vehicle.

     

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

    In Cars, International News, Spyshots, Suzuki / By / / 88 comments

    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

    In Cars, Suzuki / By / / 21 comments

    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?

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    Live photos by MotorBeam.com

     

  • Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha Compact SUV Concept

    In Cars, Suzuki / By / / 5 comments

    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.

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    Live photos thanks to Motorbeam and Maruti Suzuki.

     

  • Suzuki on course to triple engine production in Indonesia

    In Cars, International News, Suzuki / By / / 5 comments

    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.

     

  • Suzuki Kizashi Sport: the new big cheese for Suzy globally

    In Cars, International News, Suzuki / By / / 38 comments

    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

    In 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, International News, Suzuki / By / / 17 comments

    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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