Suzuki News

Two world premiers and the announcement of the WRC driver line-up

• World Premiere of Suzuki Splash
• World Premiere of Concept Kizashi
• SX4 WRC (World Rally Championship) car for 2007 and its drivers
• Press Conference on 11th September, 2007 at 14:00h in Hall 3.1, Stand A07

Suzuki will be unveiling a number of exciting world premiers at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show which runs from 13th-23rd September.

The first is the all-new compact car, the Splash, the company’s fourth all-new, world strategic model within three years. Like the Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash incorporates strong European design and styling themes which continue to lead Suzuki’s worldwide new product development strategy.

A further highpoint at the Show is the debut of the Kizashi concept car, an all-new proposal for Suzuki’s first contender in the D-segment and a significant step for the world’s twelfth largest automobile producer as it moves from a manufacturer specialising in compact cars and four-wheel drives to one offering a much broader product portfolio.

There is also likely to be considerable interest in the World Rally Championship version of the SX4, which will make an appearance in Frankfurt before facing its first competitive test in mid October at the Rallye de France in Corsica. And alongside the rest of Suzuki’s current best selling models on the stand will be some leading edge products from Suzuki’s motorcycle and marine ranges.

Suzuki Splash: the fresh, stylish family car
The first phase of Suzuki’s new world strategy focused on sporting performance, leading Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 to success. Splash is now the first new product of the second product development phase.  This all-new compact primarily targets families enjoying an active lifestyle through fresh design, exuberant and cheerful spirit and driving fun.
The all-Suzuki designed, all-new car is 3.7 metres long and 1.7 metres wide. It becomes available in spring 2008 with three engine choices: a 1.0 litre-three cylinder petrol (48 kW/65 PS), a 1.2 litre-four cylinder petrol (63 kW/86 PS) and a 1.3 litre DDiS turbo diesel (55 kW/75 PS) with an optional diesel particulate filter.

CO2 emissions for the Euro 4-compliant vehicles with five speed manual transmission range from 120 to 140 g/km. For safety the Splash is equipped with standard features such as anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). An electronic stability program (ESP®)* and six airbags (dual front airbags, dual seat-side airbags, dual curtain airbags) will be specified for certain models. * ESP is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG.

Concept Kizashi: breakthrough into the medium segment
Concept Kizashi – a Japanese word meaning prelude or foretaste – will be making its world debut at the Show. Full of energy, flexible and emotionally appealing, it represents the first example of the third phase in Suzuki’s new world strategy which will have status as its major theme. With this mid-range model the Japanese automobile producer will complete its ‘upward breakthrough’ enabling it to offer a much wider choice of product in the market.

Suzuki motor sport: SX4 WRC 2007 drivers at the Show
At the Show the much anticipated driver line-up for the SX4 WRC team will be present and on 12th October, 2007 the WRC version of the urban crossover joins the Rallye de France in Corsica where it will take part in its first competitive run.

The final test for 2007 follows at Wales Rally GB [30 Nov-2 Dec], before Suzuki enters its first full WRC season in January, 2008. The WRC car on the stand is likely to be of great interest to more than just the technologically aware members of the motoring and motor sport public and for Suzuki, its entrance into the WRC will be one of the most important marketing and sales initiatives over the next few years.

The Suzuki Way of Life extended to motorcycles and marine products
Suzuki’s Way of Life promotional strategyis being extended to all divisions at Suzuki and exhibits from the Motorcycle and Marine divisions include the new B-King as well as the 4-stroke outboard motor DF 300.

Detailed information about Suzuki models and activities will be available at the Press Conference on 11th September, 2007 at 14:00h, Hall 3.1, Stand A07.

About Suzuki
SUZUKI Motor Corporation, with its headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan is the leading international manufacturer of compact cars and – currently – the world’s twelfth largest automobile manufacturer.

The Company employs some 45,510 people and is represented in over 192 countries. Its net sales have grown successively for eight consecutive years. In its last financial year [to 31st March, 2007] turnover reached about 19.4 billion euro [3,163 billion yen] an increase of 15.2 percent over the previous year. In that year worldwide sales included, among many other products, 2.22 million automobiles and 3.06 million motorcycles. Suzuki has 35 main production facilities in 23 countries.

With its Way of Life promotional strategySuzuki stands for brand values that include excitement, a straightforward approach to its business, value-for-money, sporting performance and spirit. These values manifest themselves into innovation, best-fit products for its customers, an impressive motor sport history, a number of ambitious and successful rally engagements and convincing core competence – among others – in the areas of  off-road and four-wheel drive, based on almost 100 years’ experience.

• All-Suzuki engineering and specifically styled for Europe
• New design based on platform of best selling Swift
• Efficient, Suzuki manufactured, petrol and diesel engines
• Six airbags and ESP® available
• Built in ultra-modern factory in Hungary
• World debut at 2007 IAA International Motor Show, Frankfurt

Suzuki Motor Corporation, the world leader in the compact car segment, introduces Splash, an all-new compact model aimed at building on the success of the loveable Swift. Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is the fourth all new Suzuki model within just three years, and it epitomises Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life!’ philosophy, underpinning its strategy of building cars that excite customers all over the world.

Splash for Europe will be built in Esztergom, Hungary, by Magyar Suzuki Corporation, a Suzuki subsidiary that already builds Swift, SX4 and Ignis. Suzuki will also be manufacturing the second generation Agila for Opel/Vauxhall at this plant. With identical engineering, the main visual differences between Splash and Agila include different styling at front (bonnet, wings, headlamps and bumper) and rear (tailgate, tail lights and bumper).

Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe. Opened in 1992, the Esztergom factory has produced over one million Suzukis to date.

Splash cannot be considered to be the successor of the Wagon R+, the enlarged version of the Wagon R which in 1993 was originally developed for the Japanese market, and later also introduced in Europe. “Based on completely different criteria, Splash’s design is mainly tailored to the requirements of European customers,” explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project’s Chief Engineer. Splash comes with attractive styling, compact dimensions, responsive handling, very good build quality and a high degree of environmental compatibility.

While the focus of Phase One of Suzuki’s “World-Strategy” was on sportiness, Splash is the first model in Phase Two which will focus on young families as its main target group. Apart from fresh and sporty styling, young couples with and without children attach great importance to attributes such as spaciousness, flexibility and economy.

Rather than a purely functional box shape, the designers have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and zesty, energetic performance.

Styling and the design philosophy
The styling team for Splash was headed by Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV.

It soon became clear that whilst it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV this car must keep all of its advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and great flexibility allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into a substantial stowage space.

In order to get up-to-date information, a group of 10 Suzuki designers from Japan travelled to Germany in January, 2004 to spend a period of six months there. They analysed European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design.

Out of their impressions and findings, they finally distilled three models, which, in so called ‘car clinics’, were then presented to audiences of owners of compact cars and small MPVs. In the end, these audiences favoured the model offering the optimum combination of dynamic sportiness with youthful styling, implying a positive attitude to life and maximum suitability for everyday and recreational use.

At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented ‘Project Splash’, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Splash.
One thing is certain: Splash will be a major player in the mini-MPV segment. While ideally suited to tight parking conditions, the 3.72 m-long car nevertheless offers sufficient space for up to five occupants plus plenty of sports and leisure equipment.

Apart from attractive styling, a cute minicar also requires the best engineering. This includes safe and precise handling, outstanding ride comfort, a high degree of environmental compatibility, and optimum passive and active safety. Hence Splash uses a 30 mm shorter wheelbase version of the Swift’s platform, Suzuki’s current best seller.

The chassis, steering and brakes were adapted to the new parameters in extensive tests, which included tens of thousands of miles of testing over various types of European roads, from English cobblestones, through twisty southern Spanish tracks to fast German autobahns.

Choice of three engines
Splash will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in Spring, 2008. Customers will have the choice of three engines – two petrol and a diesel. The petrol units are 100% Suzuki designs, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit producing 65 PS (48 kW) and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 86 PS (63 kW). Both are of advanced four-valve-per-cylinder design, offering a sophisticated combination of smoothness, low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.3-litre common-rail direct injection engine available with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Producing 75 PS (55 kW), this 4-cylinder unit is manufactured by Suzuki at its new diesel engine plant in India under licence from Fiat Group Automobiles.

All three engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 86 PS petrol version can also be ordered with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Given the stricter standards now being demanded with respect to environmental compatibility, all engines are Euro4-compliant, with CO₂ emissions between 120 and 140 g/km in combination with manual transmissions.

Safety
Suzuki has paid great attention to safety measures in the design of Splash. Active safety features include ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and ESP®. Passive safety features include six airbags (dual front side and curtain airbags), a crash-optimised, rigid passenger cell, plus seatbelt-force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. For enhanced pedestrian protection the front end of Splash is fitted with energy-absorbing structures.

Notes: ESP® is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler.
The data in this release is provisional and subject to change.