Suzuki Launches 4x4 Variants of New Swift and Kizashi in Germany

Suzuki is broadening its European lineup with the launch of all-wheel drive variants of its newly introduced 2011 Swift supermini and Kizashi sedan. Starting with the Swift, the 4x4 model is offered exclusively with a 94-horsepower 1.2-liter gasoline engine linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The company said it returns a fuel economy of 6.7 lt/100km urban, 4.9 lt/100km highway and 5.5 lt/100km combined, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The five-door Swift 4x4 is priced in Germany at €14,490 [US$21,000] with standard features including air conditioning and an MP3-capable CD radio with steering wheel controls and a USB port.

The Kizashi 4x4 sedan features Suzuki's so-called intelligent all-wheel drive system (i-AWD), which allows the driver to manually switch the car from front- to all-wheel drive with the push of a button, with power coming from a 178HP-strong 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission.

According to the Japanese automaker, the Kizashi 4x4 averages 11.3 lt/100km in the city, 6.6 lt/100km on highway and 8.3 lt/100km on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 191 g/km.

Prices in Germany start from €29,900 [US$41,000]. The standard equipment package features a two-zone automatic climate control, Xenon headlights, ten-way power adjustable and heated driver's seat with memory function, and more.

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Suzuki May Recall up to 280,000 Swifts and Three other Models Worldwide

Own a [previous generation] Suzuki Swift supermini produced between May 2007 and September 2009? If so, there's a good chance you'll need to visit your local dealer in the coming weeks as the Japanese automaker said it will recall 90,617 units of the Swift and three other models in Japan, with another 192,000 cars sold abroad also possibly subject to the recall.

Suzuki said the recall is due to problems with the cars' exterior mirrors as over time, strong vibrations could cause screws to loosen and possibly result in the mirrors falling off.

In a filing with Japan's transport ministry, Suzuki said it has received 77 complaints on the matter but no accidents have been reported.

Source: Reuters

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New Suzuki Swift Priced from £9,995 in the UK

Suzuki's UK division has released pricing and specification details for its all-new 2011 Swift supermini, which is available for order now. Priced from £9,995 for the entry-level three door model to £12,245 for the top-spec five door with manual transmission, the 2011 Swift is offered at launch with a new 94HP 1.2-liter petrol unit that returns a combined fuel economy of 56.5 mpg UK. A revised 75HP 1.3-litre diesel engine with a combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg UK will be added to the range next spring.

The new Swift is available in SZ2, SZ3 and SZ4 grades, all of which get seven airbags and ESP as standard. The SZ2 also comes equipped with electric front windows, remote central door locking with deadlocks, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, MP3 / WMA compatible CD tuner with USB port and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

The SZ3 adds manual air conditioning and 16-inch- alloys, while the range-topping SZ4 includes automatic air conditioning, Bluetooth integrated audio unit with music streaming capability, electric front and rear windows, push button keyless start, automatic headlamps, rear privacy glass (five-door models) and cruise control as standard.

UK: New Suzuki Swift Pricing

Model	Price
SZ2 Three door	£9,995
SZ2 Five door	£10,445
SZ3 Three door	£10,995
SZ3 Five door	£11,445
SZ3 Five door (A/T)	£12,445
SZ4 Three door	£11,795
SZ4 Five door	£12,245
SZ4 Five door (A/T)	£13,245

Suzuki delays US Swift until at least 2011, getting advice from VW

Those of you waiting for the new Suzuki Swift to get Stateside will have to wait a little bit longer. After the Kizashi didn't exactly make the splash that Suzuki had hoped for, and with Suzuki sales in America crumbling, it appears that the Japanese automaker and 20% stakeholder Volkswagen AG will sit down to form a new battle plan.

Part of that plan includes putting the Swift's US arrival on hold until at least 2011 so that pricing and strategy could be evaluated. Some of the reasoning behind the delay has to do with the rising Japanese yen, which has also dented the company's US marketing division.

Having already cut advertising spending significantly, Suzuki says that they are unwilling to raise prices or cut content to counteract the exchange rate issue. The small hatchback will be sold in Europe and Japan until US market details are finalized.

On a developmental note: VW is looking to have final details on platform/powertrain similarities by this fall, including what can be improved and (probably) what can be shared.

American Suzuki product and development head Steve Younan says, "We should get some indication of where they may have found some efficiencies in platform development and powertrain development."

A Swift Sport with VW's 1.4-liter TSI is a very interesting proposal indeed.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoweek