AMERICAN SUZUKI SHOWS FULL DECK OF ‘CARS’ IN LAS VEGAS
Suzuki ups ante with “Suzuki LIVE Series� concepts, Thunderhill SX4 racecar,
Suzuki Works Technoâ„¢ and Genuine Suzuki Accessories
LAS VEGAS – (Oct. 30, 2006) – To demonstrate its commitment to automotive enthusiasts and the massive aftermarket industry, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) arrives in the entertainment capital of the world for the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show with five vehicles on display, including an assortment of concept, modified production and highly accessorized vehicles.
Suzuki is enjoying record sales success in the U.S. led by its next-generation products such as the Grand Vitara, which was totally redesigned and restyled last year, the all-new 2007 Suzuki XL7 midsize SUV and the all-new 2007 Suzuki SX4 with standard all-wheel drive. Suzuki’s participation at SEMA reflects the company’s commitment to build exciting, fun-to-drive, high-styled vehicles.
In concert with its “Way of Life� brand mantra, which promises products for consumers’ active lifestyles, Suzuki debuts BaseCamp and Zuk, two of the company’s “Suzuki LIVE Series� (LIFE VEHICLES) concept vehicles based on the all-new XL7 midsize crossover SUV and SX4 compact sport X-over (crossover), respectively. To appeal to enthusiast culture, Suzuki also reveals the race-prepped SX4 GodZUKI that is being developed to run in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, and no visit to SEMA would be complete without showcasing ASMC’s popular line of Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) and Genuine Suzuki Accessories featured on the five-door SX4 and versatile Grand Vitara.
“The exciting concepts and accessories we are showing at SEMA illustrate our emerging identity in the aftermarket community,� said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing and PR, ASMC. “Suzuki is increasingly interested in designing visually appealing products and accessories that resonate with enthusiasts, especially because of the role that head-turning vehicles play in their active lifestyles.�
“Suzuki LIVE Series� Vehicles
Last year, ASMC launched the “Suzuki LIVE Series� – a sequence of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers. Consistent with Suzuki’s “Way of Life� brand philosophy, and to support the launch of the all-new XL7 and SX4, ASMC will introduce four all-new “Suzuki LIVE Series� vehicles in model year 2007, illustrating how its cars and SUVs play an integral part of consumers’ lifestyles.
BaseCamp
Built by the Carlab of Orange, Calif., and based on the 2007 XL7, the BaseCamp concept offers cutting-edge design and technology to fulfill the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. The BaseCamp’s exterior is blanketed with liquid metal body paint and finished with titanium cladding around the perimeter of the vehicle, which also is easily converted to a catwalk for unprecedented upper vehicle access and storage.
The concept features a unique gullwing passenger side door that when opened, reveals a warm, inviting, modern interior room and attachable peninsula bar work station with full media connectivity, including Wi-Fi Internet access, Bluetooth integration and iPod®¹/MP3 capabilities. The BaseCamp also features a custom roof rack system with an integrated dual slot bike rack and Santa Cruz mountain bikes, eight high-intensity LED light clusters, including a unique “down� lighting system, an enclosed cargo/luggage area and forward-mounted miniature camera. After arriving at a campsite, a modern canopy with carbon fiber frame can be attached to the roof rack, keeping adventurers dry in inclement weather or protecting against the sun, and creating a welcoming ambiance for visitors.
The BaseCamp’s interior reflects a similar high-tech design and feel with mica-hued light-toned seating and titanium accents throughout the inside of the vehicle. In the rear cargo area, the vehicle features a utility storage pack and access system. Additionally, the XL7 concept is equipped with in-dash CD/DVD and GPS/Navigation system with real-time traffic.
Zuk
Inspired by Suzuki’s world-renowned, championship-winning sportbikes, and derived from the new SX4 sport X-over, the Zuk concept offers solid functionality both on the road and the track. Built by Road Race Motorsports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the sporty Zuk is powered by a 300-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine with alcohol injection system, matched to a five-speed manual transmission.
Designed for ultimate street performance, the stunning SX4 concept features a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability and crisp handling characteristics. The Zuk features Suzuki Hayabusa and GSX-R-inspired bodywork, ground effects, mirrors, spoiler and exhaust, all wrapped in blue metallic paint and carbon fiber. Framing accent lights highlight the Zuk’s motorcycle-themed structure and cage, while strategically placed openings reveal the vehicle’s powertrain, wheels, tires and chassis details. The fully drivable and track-tested Zuk is equipped with a fully tuned performance suspension system, 19-inch alloy wheels and high-performance tires.
The motorcycle-inspired design continues inside the Zuk, revealing a functional, modern sportbike-styled space frame and roll cage. Cove lighting further accentuates the superbike-inspired structural frame and draws attention to the GSX-R-inspired instrument cluster. Minimalist racing seats with charcoal and carbon fiber interior trim and touch points provide interior comfort and complement the Zuk’s optimal driving experience. Other race-inspired interior appointments include center switches and gauge set – evocative of Suzuki racing heritage – and machined aluminum driver and navigator foot platforms cantilevered for an exciting motorcycle feel.
Thunderhill SX4 GodZUKI
Suzuki also displays an SX4 that is being developed to run in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the world’s longest endurance race. Built by Marshall Pruett Motorsports Engineering (MPME) of San Jose, Calif., the turbocharged version of the sporty five-door has been nicknamed GodZUKI, based on the vehicle’s aggressive bodywork and Azure Grey paint color, which has a greenish tint similar to Godzilla’s scales when out in the sun.
MPME relied upon a number of premier aftermarket partners to develop GodZUKI. APR Performance of Walnut, Calif., created the SX4’s racing bodywork, a combination of fiberglass and carbon fiber made from scratch. Salt Lake City-based automotive engineering company COBB Tuning transformed the SX4’s stock, 143-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine into a robust, more powerful intercooled and turbocharged racing motor that will prove reliable over the long 25-hour race. Additionally, COBB’s AccessPort ECU tuning technology was used to map the engine’s computer characteristics to the newly configured engine.
The SX4’s braking system was developed and engineered by Performance Friction Corporation (PFC), who worked in conjunction with Impact Engineering to perform major chassis and brake component fabrication on the car build as outlined by MPME. Recaro Profi racing seats grace the interior of the car, and the suspension has been upgraded with Ground Control shocks. GodZUKI also features custom-fitted ROTA Wheels and Yokohama tires, a must for maximum performance throughout the long race.
Built to conform to United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) rules, GodZUKI will weigh close to 2400 lbs. and produce nearly 200 horsepower when it hits the track at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill on Dec. 1. The driving lineup, a list of “who’s who� of national and international racing experts, provides the perfect complement to get the most performance from the sport-tuned SX4. Gary Sheehan, SPEED World Challenge driver and noted AWD racing expert, Indy Racing League star Roger Yasukawa, Japanese Super GT star Akira Iida and Sam Mitani of Road & Track are tasked with steering the SX4 to success.
Suzuki Works Techno and Genuine Suzuki Accessories
To complement Suzuki’s versatile, stylish product line, the company offers an array of accessories from Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) and Genuine Suzuki Accessories – a line of style-enhancing trim packages and accessories designed to personalize Suzuki cars and SUVs sold in the United States. SWT and Genuine Suzuki Accessories currently are available for the all-new XL7, SX4, Grand Vitara, Reno, Forenza, Forenza Wagon and Aerio and can be purchased through local Suzuki dealers.
