You’ve been reading in this space piece after piece about electric and plug-in hybrid cars with ranges so preposterous you could probably walk farther than they could take you on a single charge.

Well, you can look to the Suzuki Swift to be a step in the right direction.

Designed to be used by motorists with about ten miles per day commute (does anyone live that close to work?  If so, chances are they work from home.) to be a pure electric, those of us who live farther away for once can actually still apply–the critical difference here being that the car could then switch into hybrid mode to get the rest of the distance.

I’ve been sick to death of reading all these reports about these electric cars that can’t go more than thirty, forty miles without whimpering like a schoolgirl and then folding up into the night.  Even though this is just a hybrid, it’s still a pretty good move, and hopefully the Suzuki Swift is just the beginning.

And, though you’ve heard about that one here once before, there’s some extra news along with it–not only will we be seeing that one at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, but we’ll also get the fuel cell version of the SX4 SUV.

The fuel cell in question for that one is being provided by General Motors.

Tags: fuel cell, hybrid, plug in hybrid, Suzuki, Suzuki SX4 SUV, tokyo motor show

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What you see above is Suzuki’s 2010 Swift, a plug-in hybrid concept that is set to make it’s official debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. This little vehicle features a 660 cc engine to charge its on board lithium ion batteries situated between the 2 front seats.

Those lithium ion batters in question will be used to power the car’s 54 kW motor which will then give the car front wheel drive.

That’s all we have now regarding the 2010 Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid concept, check back as the Tokyo Motor Show grows closer.

via autoblog

Tags: batteries, hybrid, lithium ion, Plug-in, Suzuki, tokyo motor show, wift

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Just yesterday we gave you a glimpse of what the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi was to look like and today the automaker has come forth and given us the full break down.

Apparantly this vehicle will go up against cars such as the Subary Legacy, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion and will feature a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission and come in either FWD or AWD models.

There has been no official word on prices but they are sure to come out soon as Suzuki hopes to have the 2010 Kizashi hit dealerships this winter.

via KickingTires

Tags: kizashi, official, Pictures, specs, Suzuki

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It seems that pictures of Suzuki’s production model mid-size sedan have hit the web just 1 day before the automaker had planned to officially unveil the car. No official model name has been confirmed however its design is largely based on the Kizashi concept that we saw at last year’s New York Auto Show.

In terms of specs, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow when Suzuki officially announces the car.

Read (NextAutos)

Tags: kizashi, leak, Pictures, production model, Suzuki

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With hard times here, one thing that motorists have to consider is the wise car to have. And while we all have certain budgets, the search to have ideal cars despite the times still plays around in our minds. Now the only question is what would that car be?

Saga Car insurance shares with us the right car to have at the moment. Now some of them may not necessarily be the ideal one for us, but then again, you just have to be wiser at least for the moment. Besides, if things pick up, you can always give them to your teenagers as their personal cars when you send them off in the motoring world.

Here are the top cars for the recession to consider:

1. Ford Ka
2. Fiat 500 1.2
3. Citroen C1
4. Suzuki Swift
5. Mini 1.6D Cooper hatchback

As you will notice, these babies are compact and economical as far as fuel consumption is concerned. Isn’t that the trend we are seeing today?

(Source) Press

Tags: 6d, babies, best cars, budgets, car insurance, citroen c1, Fiat, fiat 500, Ford, Ford Ka, fuel consumption, motorists, personal cars, recession, right car, saga, Suzuki, Suzuki Swift, teenagers, top cars

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Impressed in its recent trip from Japan, European car maker Volkswagen is reportedly mulling a possible 10% stake in Suzuki. Apparently, the market penetration of the Japanese car manufacturer into India is what caught Volkswagen’s eye, something that they have not been successful at to date.

This should be good news for Suzuki considering that they needs all the help they can get financially although some terms of that area may possibly need further elaboration. But whatever happens, you can bet that this potential investment or partnership can be a good one for both of them.

In late May 2009, VW said that it was mulling cooperation with the Chinese company BYD to build hybrid or electric cars.

(Source) Steel Guru

Tags: car maker, chinese company, cooperation, electric cars, guru, India, Japan, japanese car manufacturer, market penetration, partnership, stake, Suzuki, volkswagen, VW

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To many, it will most likely be familiar as the controversial Cash for Clunkers deal. But regardless, Suzuki Motor Corporation is all for it, looking forward to the formal implementation of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).

The new CARS law will provide consumers up to $4,500 when they trade-in their old cars for a new one. The qualifying cars under this new law signed by U.S. President Barack Obama covers cars, mini vans, SUVs and small light-duty trucks that get less than 18 mpg, and large light-duty trucks that get less than 15 mpg city/highway combined.

However there are certain conditions for passenger cars. If the new vehicle is at least four mpg more fuel efficient than the old vehicle, consumers will receive a $3,500 voucher toward a new vehicle. If the new vehicle is at least 10 mpg more fuel efficient than the old vehicle, the voucher is good for $4,500.

For reference purposes, here are the cars that Suzuki detailed as eligible for the new CARS law:

• All SX4 Crossover models
• All SX4 Sedan models
• All Grand Vitara models
• All XL7 models
• All Equator models (4-cyl and 6-cyl)

(Source) Press

Tags: Barack Obama, car allowance, consumers, Crossover, Grand Vitara, mini vans, models, MPG, new cars, passenger cars, rebate system, Suzuki, suzuki motor corporation, voucher

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If you happen to see a new hatchback type of a vehicle at the next Toyota showroom you happen to come across, don’t be surprised. It is probably the Toyota Urban Cruiser, the new town-friendly crossover released as Toyota’s bet against the Nissan Qashai, Kia Soul and Suzuki X4.

The new Urban Cruisers are pick up from the RAV4, the previous 4×4 vehicle that Toyota has in the market. With the new Cruisers, it aims to provide an off-roader look with hatchback for city driving.

The Urban Cruiser offers impressively green motoring. Both its powerplants emit less than 130g/km of CO2 – the petrol assisted by a standard-fit stop/start system. It’s priced from £14,500 for the two-wheel drive 1.3-litre petrol version, or £16,400 for the 1.4 D-4D turbodiesel with four-wheel drive.

(Source) Which

Tags: 4x4 vehicle, Crossover, cruisers, four wheel drive, KIA, Nissan, petrol, powerplants, Suzuki, suzuki x4, Toyota, toyota showroom, turbodiesel, wheel drive source

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One of the first things you notice when you get into the Grand Vitara is the simpleness of the interior. All of the controls are within easy reach and easy to use, and there aren’t too many of them, just enough buttons and dials to get the job done. Once inside the cabin the visibility is good in all directions, even with the fully covered spare tire hanging off the back. The Grand Vitara does not absorb road bumps and imperfections especially well although it offers adequate sound insulation. In spite of the relatively rough ride, the Grand Vitara handles fairly well for an SUV. Once at freeway speeds, the steering begins to feels a tad too touchy, as the slightest input will send you drifting into the next lane.

Climbing hills and merging onto the freeway requires only moderate throttle input, as does passing on the freeway. What hinders the Grand Vitara more than anything seems to be the old-school four-speed transmission. By 2009 standards the Grand Vitara is a bit rough around the edges. It’s comfortable on a daily basis, but if you don’t need any off-road capabilities then a crossover would probably provide a nicer ride at the same price.

Tags: Grand Vitara, Suzuki

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One car that you can turn to if you are among the motorists looking for a compact fuel-efficient car that adheres to eco-friendly principles has to be the Suzuki Alto. This is a car to soothe any troubled car conscience because it has the lowest officially measured carbon dioxide output of any proper four-seater car that’s powered purely by a petrol engine.

This new Alto, costing from £6,795 to £8,560, fits a well-tried template for a small and frugal car in the spirit of the original Mini. It has a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine, a truncated tail and a necessarily abbreviated boot, and it doesn’t cost much.

The baffling part, though, is that Suzuki already has another smaller than supermini five-door hatchback in the shape of the Hungarian-built Splash, making two cars below the Suzuki Swift which is a standard (and good) modern supermini. This is a product plan in which left hands and right hands aren’t recognisably connected.

(Source) The Independent

Tags: Bundle, carbon, dioxide, spirit, supermini, Suzuki, Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Swift

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Does a big extended cab Suzuki truck make any sense at all? Suzuki is hoping it does. The 2009 Suzuki Equator Crew Cab Sport is a four-door midsize pick-up with a 6-cylinder 261 horsepower engine and option four wheel drive, built to appeal to the sport truck driver who doesn’t want to give up a big vehicle but needs more than 8 miles to the gallon in the city.

Suzuki is hoping to lure some of those former Ford and Chevy customers with a tricked out, slightly smaller truck built for fun that gets a less-painful 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. Will it work? The $17,990 entry level MSRP is fairly friendly, but a four-wheel drive loaded version runs well over $30,000—a bitter pill for hardcore Ford fans, who are going to want something more to show for their compromise than a 6-cylinder engine and a Suzuki logo. In this confusing market, however, anything could happen.

Tags: Crew Cab Sport, Equator, Suzuki

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One of the least expensive cars in the sub-compacts category is the Suzuki SX4. Replacing the Aerio sedan, this compact car is only available in front wheel drive. All 2009 SX4 models are equipped with a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 143-horsepower engine with manual or automatic transmissions.

The Suzuki has several qualities that put it at the top of the sub-compact class. It’s the longest (177.6 inches), the second heaviest (2,745 pounds) and has the most rear leg room (35.9 inches) of the 14 vehicles listed in the category in automotive consumer publications.

So if you are in the market for an economical car, chances are that you would best consider the Suzuki SX4. It is priced in the market at $17, 639.00.

(Source) The Weekly Driver

Tags: automatic transmissions, compact car, economical car, front wheel drive, least expensive cars, Suzuki, suzuki sx4

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The first thing you notice when you climb into the Grand Vitara is the simplicity of the interior. All the controls are within easy reach and easy to use, and there aren’t too many of them — enough buttons and dials to get the job done and no more. The black dash, carpet, doors and seats are set off by tasteful silver accents. Unfortunately, they’re also offset by cheap-looking faux-marble trim around the gear selector and on the interior door handles. Marble works in kitchens, not cars, and cheap, plastic, fake marble really doesn’t work. Still the trim is dark enough to overlook most of the time.

In all, the Grand Vitara’s interior proved adequate. The fit and finish are good and there were no squeaks or rattles to report, even with the stereo cranked up. Suzuki apparently also listened to our gripes about the 2008 model’s seats and came back with a set of nicely bolstered leather-wrapped captain’s chairs that are comfortable if a bit firm. The seat heater only had one setting, though, which started out almost too hot, then ended up hardly noticeable.

Tags: Grand Vitara, Interior, Suzuki

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