Suzuki SX4

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Suzuki SX4

Manufacturer	Suzuki Fiat
Also called	Fiat Sedici Maruti Suzuki SX4
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Esztergom, Hungary Kosai, Shizuoka, Japan Manesar, Haryana, India St. Petersburg, Russia
Predecessor	Suzuki Aerio/Liana Suzuki Forenza[1]
Class	Subcompact/Mini MPV
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine(s)	1.5 L DOHC I4 1.6 L DOHC I4 2.0 L DOHC I4 1.6 L turbodiesel I4 1.9 L turbodiesel I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2500 mm (98.4 in)
Length	Hatch: 4135 mm (162.8 in) Sedan: 4490 mm (176.8 in)
Width	1730 mm (68.1 in)
Height	Hatch: 1605 mm (63.2 in) Sedan: 1545 mm (60.8 in)
Designer	Italdesign

The Suzuki SX4 is a subcompact car developed by Japanese and Italian automakers Suzuki and Fiat and produced since 2006.

Contents 1 History 2 Turbo version 3 SX4-FCV 4 Motorsport 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio, the SX4 replaces the Aerio (some markets called Liana). The "SX 4" designation was used by American Motors (AMC) for a sporty liftback model in its all-wheel drive AMC Eagle passenger cars.

Although originally intended solely for the European market, the SX4 is sold in Japan, India, South America, Australia, South Africa, as well as North America. It was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and is manufactured at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Esztergom, Hungary, as well as in Japan. An expected 60,000 units will be produced — 2/3 to be sold by Suzuki and 1/3 by Fiat, badged as the Sedici.

Base engines are the 1.5-litre gasoline unit identical to the one used in the Swift, the new 1.6-litre VVT seen in the new Grand Vitara and a 107 PS (79 kW), 1.6-litre DDIS — along with the Fiat diesel engine with a maximum output of 120 PS (88 kW) and maximum torque of 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf).

The SX4 was initially released as a five-door hatchback body style, marketed as the SX4 Crossover. A sedan model, marketed as the SX4 Sport, debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show and has been released in Japan, India, and a few Eastern European markets. It replaced the Suzuki Aerio sedan and also the Daewoo-based Suzuki Forenza sedan and station wagon. ^[2]

The North American-market model arrived in 2006 as a 2007 model year as Suzuki's entry-level AWD vehicle. Differences from the European model are the offering of AWD as standard (2WD only available in Canada, Turkey, Israel and China while AWD is optional in Canada) and a single 2.0 L 143 hp (107 kW) inline-4 gasoline engine.

The US base price (model year 2008) for the 5-door hatchback (marketed in the US as the SX4 Crossover) includes "intelligent" All Wheel Drive (iAWD), power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, CD player with MP3 capability and keyless entry. Suzuki is also offering anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control), fog lights, and an advanced key in a Touring package starting at MSRP US $16,870. For the 2009 model year, Suzuki will equip all its SX4 sedans with standard GPS navigation systems, manufactured by Garmin; complete with Bluetooth, weather, and a gas station locator. [1]

The US-market SX4 sedan (marketed as the SX4 Sport) is only available in front-wheel drive(FWD). Except for the absence of iAWD, the option packages for the SX4 Sport closely match those available for the SX4 Crossover.

Both the 1.6 litre FWD hatchback^[3] and 1.6 litre FWD sedan models^[4] are available in Malaysia, fully imported from Japan.

Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the SX4 are available, although not all combinations of drivetrain and body style may be available in a given market (for instance, until the latter part of the 2008 model year, the US-market SX4 Crossover was only available with iAWD). The AWD models use an electronically controlled iAWD 3-mode four wheel drive system, user-selectable between front wheel drive, automatic AWD, and AWD-LOCK 50:50 split permanent AWD.

In 2007 Suzuki Auto posted the best year-end close in company history, with SX4 sales a primary contributor to this success.^[5]

On September 2006, Suzuki announced that they have intentions to produce a rally-inspired hot hatch version of the SX4^{[citation needed]}. A 2.0  L turbocharged engine will be used and the power target is at least (150 kW).^{[citation needed]} The car will have permanent AWD and a wide body kit that will be keyed to the SX4 WRC. However the decision for a street rally car will be heavily decided by the outcome in the WRC 2008^{[citation needed]}. If confirmed the car could see production in 2009 or 2010.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Turbo version

Suzuki has collaborated with California-based tuning company Road Race Motorsports on a concept called the SX4t, a version of its new SX4 Crossover. It is powered by a 16G GT3 Turbo and a Tial 38 mm wastegate that generates seven pounds of boost, the SX4's engine was pushed to 221 horsepower (165 kW) and 208 ft·lbf (282 N·m) of torque.

Road Race also installed their GRIP springs, as well as 17-inch (430 mm) wheels and tires. Brakes included upgraded pads. Exterior changes include the addition of Road Race's CarbonTrix carbon fiber hood, custom paintwork and the removal of the roof rack and cladding.

The interior of the Suzuki SX4t features new fabric inserts on the upgraded and bolstered front seats, while drilled pedals and a Road Race shift knob finish off the interior mods. A Rockford Fosgate audio system was installed.

The Road Race turbo kit was estimated to cost $5400 when it was available in June 2008 from Suzuki dealer.^[6]

[edit] SX4-FCV

It is a version of SX4 hatchback developed with General Motors. It includes a 80kW hydrogen fuel cell and 68kW electric motor. The car has top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) with 250km range. The car was unveiled in 2008 Hokkaido Tōyako summit^[7], and later in 2008 Paris International Motor Show.^[8]

[edit] Motorsport

On February 28 at the Geneva Motor Show, Suzuki confirmed that the marque will enter the FIA World Rally Championship, with the factory backed Suzuki World Rally Team in the World Rally Car category in 2007, using the SX4. However due to WRC calendar changes Suzuki officially debuted in 2008, using the 2007 season as further development time for the SX4. The SX4 competed on a test basis in two 2007 WRC events: the Rallye de France in October 2007 (finishing 31st overall) and the Rally GB in November 2007 (finishing 27th overall)^[9]. In the first event of 2008, the Rallye Monte Carlo, Suzuki driver P.-G. Andersson finished 8th.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Suzuki SX4

[edit] External links

• Suzuki SX4 Crossover Official US Site
• Suzuki SX4 Sport (sedan) Official US Site
• Suzuki Global - SX4
• Maruti Suzuki SX4 Indian Site
• Suzuki SX4 launched in Malaysia
• SX4 Forums
• Suzuki SX4 FCV (Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project :Japanese page)

v • d • e Suzuki road vehicle timeline, North America market, 1985–present
Type	1980s					1990s										2000s
	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact	Forsa				Swift						Swift							Aerio					SX4
Compact												Esteem								Forenza/Reno
Mid-size																				Verona
Mini SUV	Jimny / Samurai											X-90
					Sidekick										Vitara
Compact SUV															Grand Vitara							Grand Vitara
Mid-size SUV																	XL-7
Crossover																							XL7
Pickup																									Equator
Engines	G  · H  · M