Future Products—Suzuki

[Flybrian]

Future Products—Suzuki

By AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek

AutoWeek | Published 08/16/06, 8:04 am et

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Aerio, Aeria: The Aerio wagon will be dropped during the 2007 model year.

Forenza: A freshening is planned for the 2008 model year.

Reno: Reno is the hatchback version of the Forenza. It may get a high-performance engine for the 2008 model year.

Swift: The company will bring the next-generation Swift hatchback to the United States in 2010 to compete with such vehicles as the Honda Fit. A hybrid sedan is a possibility. The Swift last was sold here in 2002.

Verona: U.S. sales never hit projections, so the car will be dropped at the end of the 2006 model year. The Verona was built by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. Quality problems with the engine and transmission also were issues.

Sources say the upcoming, redesigned Verona may be exported to the United States in the 2008 or 2009 model year. If so, Suzuki execs say they want to be in charge of the engine technology.

SX4: The SX4 crossover goes on sale this fall. The five-seat hatchback was developed on the Swift platform and is Suzuki's first crossover. All-wheel drive, antilock brakes and six airbags are standard.

The base model is powered by a new 143-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 136 pounds-feet of torque.

Suzuki has developed an awd racing version, called the SX4 WRC. That vehicle will run in the European World Rally Championship series starting in August 2007. A production model also is planned.

Grand Vitara: The small SUV is due for a freshening in 2009.

XL7: The redesigned 2007 XL7 crossover is the largest vehicle Suzuki has ever sold in this country. Five- and seven-passenger seating is offered.

The XL7 is developed on General Motors' front-drive Theta platform, shared by the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. Awd is optional. The new 3.5-liter engine delivers an estimated 250 hp, 65 hp more than its predecessor.

Pickup: Nissan will provide Suzuki with a small pickup to sell in the United States in the 2009 model year. A version of the Frontier is likely.

[Sixty8panther]

Reno: Reno is the hatchback version of the Forenza. It may get a high-performance engine for the 2008 model year.

181166[/snapback]

Wow... 105 HP instead of 103. The horsepower war is upon us.

[Ravenfreak13]

Wow... 105 HP instead of 103. The horsepower war is upon us.

181180[/snapback]

LOL!!!!

[ShadowDog]

Wow... 105 HP instead of 103. The horsepower war is upon us.

181180[/snapback]

Technically, 126 HP...

I forgot, all cars need to be 200+ and spinning smoke from the rear at every moment of movement.

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

GM-DAT would do well to adopt the ECOTEC I-4 engines-particularly the 2.2-liter for Reno/Forenza/Optra.

[regfootball]

Wow... 105 HP instead of 103. The horsepower war is upon us.

181180[/snapback]

if the label says 'Honda Fit' then it gets car of the year with 105 hp.......