AMERICAN SUZUKI SHOWCASES INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS, EXPANDED LINE OF PRODUCTION VEHICLES, ICONIC MOTORCYCLES AT 2007 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
Silver-screen-inspired “Flix� XL7 concept and production offerings steal the show
CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2007) – With company sales up 13 percent in January, indicating a solid start to 2007, and following a record-setting 2006, when American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) enjoyed automobile sales in excess of 100,000 vehicles for the first time in its 22-year history, Suzuki rolls into the 2007 Chicago Auto Show (CAS) well-positioned for another impressive year.
To communicate the versatility of its all-new XL7 SUV and SX4 X-over (crossover), which have continued to drive the company’s sales success, ASMC showcases two exceptional life-enthusiast-oriented concepts based on the midsize crossover and sporty compact. The theater-themed XL7 concept, Flix, and sport-tuned SX4 racecar coined Road Race, also offer Chicagoans a close look at Suzuki’s brand spirit.
In addition, to fully reflect its heritage as a company that builds exciting vehicles, from automobiles to motorcycles, and to support Suzuki’s current brand campaign, which embraces Americans’ widespread recognition and appreciation of the company’s motorcycles, Suzuki showcases three two-wheeled machines in its booth, including the Boulevard M109R cruiser, GSX-R600 sportbike and DRZ-400S dualsport motorcycle.
“At this year’s Chicago Auto Show and throughout 2007, we will continue to boost awareness of the Suzuki brand and all that it offers to consumers,� said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing and PR, ASMC. “With the recently introduced XL7 and SX4 and the lifestyle-based ‘Suzuki LIVE Series’ concept vehicles leading the way, ASMC is on track for another banner year.�
“Suzuki LIVE Series� Vehicles
Last year, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) launched the “Suzuki LIVE Series� (LIFE VEHICLES) – a line of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers. In concert with its “Way of Life� brand proposition, promising products for active lifestyles, and to support the launch of the all-new XL7 and SX4, ASMC rolls out four all-new “Suzuki LIVE Series� vehicles for 2007.
The vehicles, coined Flix for film and entertainment buffs; BaseCamp for outdoor adventure enthusiasts; Zuk for motorcycle and racing aficionados; and SXBox for avid gamers; are on display at various auto shows and lifestyle events around the country.
Flix
Built by Carlab of Orange, Calif., and based on the all-new 2007 XL7, the Flix concept offers film and entertainment enthusiasts the ultimate mobile movie experience. The Flix’s ultra-rich, super-clean and modern exterior accentuates the redesigned body of the all-new XL7. The XL7 concept is dressed in midnight black paint with platinum accents and deep crimson “theater red� perimeter LED linear emitters encircling the lower valence of the midsize SUV.
In addition to its eye-catching exterior appearance, the Flix is outfitted with an unprecedented in-vehicle movie system. After parking at the optimal film-viewing destination, Flix’s clamshell roof can be opened, revealing a maximum-size moonroof that serves as a 40-inch movie screen. Additionally, the XL7 concept’s front roof panel vents, giving way to a high-density digital projection system to display a family’s movie of choice. For those who prefer the traditional drive-in movie experience, Flix’s projection system can be positioned to display movies nearly anywhere – the side of a building, a billboard or almost any wall.
The interior look of the Flix resembles a contemporary private screening room, dressed in plush materials to evoke elegance and sophistication. The XL7 concept features four individual bucket seats that pivot 180 degrees to view the elevated giant screen. The Flix also is equipped with a next-generation, high-definition DVD player with integrated hard drive for maximum AV storage, a professional THX/SDS-theater quality sound system, pivoting quarter window speakers and red door/floor strip lighting to further enhance the in-vehicle movie experience.
Road Race SX4
Built by Road Race Motorsports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the street-tuned version of the sporty five-door SX4 is designed for ultimate street performance. Engine upgrades include Road Race Motorsports SRI intake system, piggyback ECU controller, performance catback exhaust and UD CNC pulley system.
The exterior of the modified SX4 features a two-tone paint scheme, shaved roof racks and Carbontrix front sport lip, vented carbon fiber hood and rallispec lip. A Carbontrix shift knob and Suzuki Works Techno fiber trim kit grace the interior of the car, and the suspension has been upgraded with progress-Road Race sport springs and front and rear anti-roll bars. The custom all-wheel-drive SX4 also features custom-fitted 18-inch Enkei NTO+3 wheels and Toyo Proxes 4 Sport tires.
2007 Suzuki XL7
The all-new XL7 blends SUV versatility, style and safety, and features available all-wheel drive and seven-passenger, three-row seating to provide adaptability for active, mobile lifestyles. The 3.6-liter, V6, DOHC engine delivers 252 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque, and is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manumatic controls.
The XL7 has a long list of standard features, including a five-speed automatic transmission with manumatic shift, extensive safety features, including four airbags, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), traction control system (TCS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)1. Additional standard features include remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel, power windows, door locks and mirrors, four 12-volt accessory outlets, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, satin silver trim, air conditioning with automatic climate control, trip computer, automatic headlamps, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and privacy glass.
Three trim levels are offered: XL7, Luxury and Limited. Offered in five- and seven-passenger configurations and either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive, XL7 has a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,899. The XL7 Luxury adds leather-appointed interior, power driver seat, heated front seats, wood trim accents and 17-inch alloy wheels and has a starting MSRP of $24,599.
The top-of-the-line XL7 Limited features standard seven-passenger seating and adds fog lamps, rear spoiler, upgraded roof racks with aluminum lower bumper valances, premium XM Satellite Radio-ready audio system with seven speakers (including subwoofer), auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, remote starter and DVD entertainment system. The feature-packed XL7 Limited carries an MSRP of $27,949.
There are three optional packages to go with the three trim levels: A seven-passenger seating package (available on XL7 and XL7 Luxury); a DVD entertainment package (available on three-row Luxury) that features a DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and remote starter system; and a Platinum Touring Package featuring a touch-screen navigation system, 17-inch chrome-plated alloy wheels with unique design and sunroof.
2007 Suzuki SX4
The 2007 Suzuki SX4 compact sport X-over (crossover), recently named one of the "Best Commuter Cars,� by editors of NewCarTestDrive.com and CarsDirect.com and "Best Kept Secret of 2007" by Autobytel, is designed for those who live an adventurous life and is sure to be a year-round standout in any driving conditions. The all-new SX4 (the name stands for (S)port (X)-over for (4) seasons of weather) features a handsome five-door hatchback design, a sophisticated standard all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability and crisp handling characteristics. Built in Japan, the SX4 features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, in-line four cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine rated at 143 horsepower. SX4 is also fitted with intelligent all-wheel drive (i-AWD) as standard equipment. The i-AWD system operates in three modes for maximum fuel economy on dry pavement or to facilitate traction in case of snow or mud.
The SX4’s standard features include six airbags; front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags; four-wheel ABS with EBD, TPMS, seatbelt pretentioners, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, daytime running lights, fender flares and silver bumper guards. SX4 carries an MSRP of $14,999.
The SX4 comes in two trim levels: SX4 and SX4 Sport. SX4 is available with a Convenience
Package, which includes cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. SX4 Sport includes: TCS and ESP, auto temperature control, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, premium audio with six-disc CD changer and nine speakers (including subwoofer), silver-color roof rails and SmartPass keyless entry and start system. SX4 Sport has an MSRP of $16,399. All trim levels are available in manual or automatic transmission with standard AWD.
2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
First introduced as a 2006 model, the Grand Vitara has garnered much media and consumer praise and has won numerous awards, including a recent “Best Buy� from Consumer Guide2. The 2007 Grand Vitara features a standard 2.7-liter, V6, 24-valve DOHC engine, a sophisticated available Four-Mode full-time four-wheel-drive system, tough unibody construction enhanced with a built-in ladder frame and an extensive list of interior amenities and standard safety features.
The list of standard safety features is extensive: ABS with EBD and ESP, including traction control, six airbags, three-point driver and front-passenger seat belts featuring shoulder height adjustment; in the rear seat, each passenger is provided with a three-point seat belt system and a headrest. With its carefully engineered control layout and close attention to materials and fit-and-finish, the interior of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is functional and attractive.
The Grand Vitara comes in three trim levels: Base, XSport and Luxury. The standard five-speed manual transmission and two-wheel drive starts at an MSRP of $19,379. The Grand Vitara with Luxury Package and Four-Mode full-time four-wheel-drive system drives tops out at $23,399.
