Suzuki has chosen the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to introduce the two cars displayed at the last Tokyo Motor Show to the Chinese public: Suzuki G70 and Swift Range Extender. The G70 is a concept car also known as Suzuki Regina, a next-generation compact car that boasts a very original futuristic look.

The G70 Cx is less than 10% compared to a conventional car and the weight is contained to just 730kg, which allow the car to travel 32Km on a single litre of fuel. The emissions are very low: the Regina emits only 70g of CO2 per kilometer. The same idea of energy conservation and environmental sustainability has also been applied to the other concept car on display at the Suzuki stand.

The Suzuki Swift Range Extender is a hybrid vehicle, equipped with an electric motor coupled to a combustion engine that serves as a range extender, which charges the lithium-ion batteries when the car is in motion, offering 30 km zero-emissions driving range.

Suzuki Grand Vitara’s range is about to welcome a new version in its ranks, the “Executive+”, which will be positioned at the top of the line. This new version of the large off-road vehicle from the Japanese manufacturer will count on an engine range made of a turbocharged 1.9-litre DDiS diesel unit (producing 129 hp at 4,000 rpm and 300 Nm of torque between 21,750 and 2,500 rpm) as well as a 1.6 and a 2.0 VVT petrol engine. All version are obviously four wheel drive.

A special command inserted in the center console allows you to quickly and easily switch from normal 4H mode to the 4H-Lock (which locks the center differential and allows it to tackle even the most demanding off road path) and to ther 4L Lock, which engages the gear unit. In comparison to the current Grand Vitara models, the Executive+ uses a slightly different front-end, roof rails and silver-colored side grills, while other exterior highlights include 18” alloys and electric sliding roof. Inside, the car uses new fine materials and heated seats, now in soft-grain leather, which are customizable in 3 colors: black, burgundy and beige.

Standard equipment also includes hi-fi with CD-MP3 player and steering wheel controls, sat-nav with 7″ touch screen, cruise control with steering wheel controls, automatic air conditioning, keyless start system, fog lamps and xenon headlights.

Following recent reports of ongoing disputes between the two groups, Volswagen AG made it clear in a recent statement that Suzuki Motor Corp. is no longer considered an “associate” by the German carmaker.

The roots of the break-up go back to March, when VW stated in its annual report that the group could “significantly influence” financial and operating decisions at Suzuki, a move that the Japanese carmaker did not appreciate at all, to say the least. That argument triggerd a series of events - especially Suzuki’s engine supply agreement with Fiat -that eventually led to the end of the partnership.

In response to the news, Suzuki Italia President Junya Kumataki confirmed that “Suzuki decided to divorce from VW”, refusing to comment any further on the matter. Suzuki also insists on VW to sell back its 19.9 % share of the Japanese carmaker but VW repeatedly stated that it will keep the holding, dismissing Suzuki allegations that the Wolfburg-based manufacturer violated their partnership agreement by not sharing technology.

via | Autonews.com

One month after the announcement of the failure of their partnership agreement signed in 2009, the strained relationship between Suzuki and Volkswagen doesn’t seem to get any better. Following a number of mutual accusations concerning the supply of Fiat Powertrain 1.6 Mjet engines to the Japanese carmaker, Suzuki returns to the charge demanding access to the hybrid technology that the VAG Group was supposed to provide them with.

According to Reuters, Suzuki has given VW two weeks to comply to its obligations, otherwise they will interrupt any relationship with the German group and start legal action against them. Besides, Suzuki has asked Volkswagen to sell back its 19.9 per cent stake in Suzuki if it will not honor the notice. Volkswagen said they are also considering legal options in response to Suzuki’s notice, denying any breach of contract from their side.

Fiat is no slouch when it comes to engine technology and in recent talks between Sergio Marchionne and Suzuki management, the two companies have come to an agreement over a Fiat-Suzuki partnership. The deal sees Suzuki use the Fiat 1.6 Multijet engine from 2013 on a new project. No announcements have been made as to exactly which vehicle will use the four-cylinder diesel, but it is expected to be an all-new model which will be built in Hungary.

The deal follows previous arrangements in which Suzuki purchased 2.0-litre diesel engines from Fiat Powertrain Technologies for the Suzuki SX4 compact SUV. The Japanese company also produces 1.3-litre Fiat engines under licence in India, but is now looking to Fiat to produce the next generation two-litre diesel.

No news has been released regarding the future of the Fiat Sedici compact SUV, which is based on the SX4 and is manufactured by Suzuki in Hungary. In the Fiat-Chrysler product plan, the Sedici is to be replaced with a small SUV in collaboration with Jeep, but Suzuki has a contract to build it until 2013, after which no Sedici replacement as such is planned. In any case, 2013 marks the year when Sedici production will cease and announcements will possibly be made on the Fiat-Jeep SUV.

Source | Automotive News

The attitude seems to be sometimes that you can’t have any kind of car in Europe without offering a diesel engine. And so after test driving the Lancia Ypsilon and thinking how sensible they’d been to include a diesel option in the Ypsilon line-up, news comes that the Suzuki Swift will now be available in Europe with a new diesel powerplant.

The Swift turbodiesel is a four-cylinder, 1.3-litre DDiS with 74 hp which replaces the old 1.3 unit. CO2 emissions have been improved at 109 g/km (nine percent less than the previous unit). Fuel consumption is also better with the Suzuki Swift now gaining a range of about 800 km on a full tank.

On Eurocarblog we often leave out the Suzuki Swift in our discussions on compact city cars, because it’s not a European brand. But this option sells at about 14,800 euros and comes with seven airbags, air conditioning, 16-inch alloys, a USB ports and electric, heated door mirros. That’s pretty damn competitive.

Source | Autocar

Suzuki unveiled today at their Magyar Suzuki Corporation production facility at Esztergom, in Hungary, the first official details on the third generation Swift that will go on sale this autumn.

The new Swift comes with new styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling, improved fuel consumption, and significantly lower emissions than the outgoing models.

Powered by a new 1.2-liter petrol engine incorporating Dual VVT (Variable intake and exhaust valve timing) that delivers a total of 94 HP at 6,000rpm and 118Nm at 4,800rpm with fuel consumption on the combined cycle is now 56.5mpg for the manual transmission model, an improvement of 7.8mpg over the previous 1.3-litre unit.

Emissions are much lower as well; the new 1.2-litre engine with manual transmission produces just 116g/km on the combined cycle; representing a 24g/km or 17 per cent improvement over the 1.3. An optional automatic transmission will be available for the petrol engine from launch.

More images will be available later this month and pricing will be announced later in the summer.

In an exciting move for India, Suzuki and Volkswagen could forge a partnership for that market in a move which would exchange Volkswagen know-how for Suzuki’s resources in Asia. The news comes from rumours at this year’s Frankfurt motor show and German publication Automobilwoche.

An unnamed source has apparently said: “For Suzuki and VW this connection would be a win-win situation. Suzuki would have access to a variety of VW’s technology, while Volkswagen would have a solid supporting leg in India and Southeast Asia.”

Source | Indian autosblog and Autoblog

The Suzuki Kizashi official pics were posted yesterday and today we bring you the Kizashi presentation video. It’s a good 40 minutes long and reveals the fact that the sedan has been designed with the American market in mind, aimed specifically to compete with the Volkswagen Jetta and even the Ford Mondeo, according to Auto Express news.

While “aspirational” the Kizashi is not designed to compete in the premium market and, as the video points out, this could prove to be successful in a new age of “thrift”. It will be interesting to see whether the Kizashi becomes as successful as a sedan, as the Suzuki Swift has been as a smaller model. Check out the video.

These are the official pics of the new Suzuki Kizashi. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the fortunes of the Kizashi, as it appears an elegant, well-balanced car. It’s discrete and has borrowed a few elements from the Volkswagen Jetta.

The rear doesn’t quite convince as much, particularly the chrome exhausts. No news has been released as to when it will be available on the European market. The engine range is also unknown, with the Kizashi currently equipped with a 2.4 litre petrol and six-speed manual transmission. The sedan will be available in both front wheel and all wheel drive.

Nissan saw the greatest decline with a drop of 68.8 percent in vehicles destined for the local market, and a 37.8 percent drop in those headed for export. Mitsubishi and Toyota also followed with a 65 and 64 percent decline in the Japanese market.

Dramatic figures also come from Mazda and Honda with a drop of 54.6 and 48.4 percent respectively, while Suzuki is the only manufacturer managing to maintain decline at 19.6 percent.

Source | LeBlog Auto

These shots are of the Suzuki SX4, produced in collaboration with Chang’An for the Chinese market. The car was built in Hungary at the Esztergom facility and shows a virtual carbon copy of the Fiat Sedici style.

The car looks to include the same style elements as the Hungary version, particularly in the front grill. These shots give us an idea of the retouching we’ll see on the SX4 model destined for Europe, including a new LCD screen.

We’re still waiting on news of the technical specs however, with the possible appearance of the 1.4 T-jet and 1.6 Multijet engines.

Source | CarScoop