Genebra 2011: Suzuki mostra versão esportiva do Swift

Este é o Suzuki S-Concept, versão esportiva do nem tanto pequeno Swift

Bancos de couro revestidos em amarelo e preto

Pouca gente lembra do Swift, o pqueno Suzuki que a japonesa trouxe nos anos 90. Naquela época, o compacto contava inclusive com a versão esportiva GTI. Mais de 20 anos depois, os holofotes se voltam para o Swift S-Concept, concebido para resgatar a imagem esportiva da marca japonesa.

O desenho moderninho do Swift ficou ainda mais agradável com a adição de vários acessórios, incluindo um kit aerodinâmico composto por novos para-choques, suspensão rebaixada, saias laterais e aerofólio traseiro. Além destas mudanças, a carroceria é 60 mm mais larga e 30 mm mais baixa que a versão convencional.

A chamativa pintura amarela perolizada é outra exclusividade, formando um belo contraste com as rodas de liga leve de 18 polegadas tingidas de cinza. Na parte interna, o volante e o painel de instrumentos foram desenhados apenas para o conceito. Os bancos do tipo concha carregam a assinatura da Recaro e alguns componentes do console central são feitas de fibra de carbono, conferindo um ar bastante esportivo para o compacto.

A Suzuki não revelou detalhes da motorização usada no S-Concpet, limitando-se a dizer que o carro conta com transmissão manual de seis velocidades e tração dianteira. É difícil saber se a montadora tem planos de transformar este belo conceito em realidade. Mas... sonhar não custa nada, hein?

Suzuki X-Head concept

This is yet another concept Suzuki is planning to unveil in Tokyo in a little over two week's time. According to Suzuki, the X-Head concept 'is a cross-utility vehicle that offers unprecedented possibilities', but it's also one that the automaker is likely to build for the US market, our insider source tells us.

Judging from the image, the show car is imposing, with a square utiliarian design reflecting rough-road performance and toughness. Building on the Jimny and Grand Vitara's off-road ability and the load-carrying capability of the Carry microvan, the automaker claims the concept is the 'epitome of functional dependability and fun'. Three units have been devised to fit into the concept's load bed to diversify its utility. There is a unit called the Camper, which allows two adults to sleep in comfort; a unit called the Fashion, which provides stylish urban mobility; or a unit called the Rescue, which is designed for rescue operations in a wide range of road conditions.

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Suzuki Kizashi 2 concept

Suzuki will be unveiling the Kizashi 2 concept at the forthcoming Tokyo Motor Show. An offshoot to the Kizashi concept, this latest variant takes the sedan theme further by offering a crossover sports wagon.

Conceived for energetic people in activities ranging from business to leisure, the Kizashi 2 has an emotionally appealing shape that is a bit chunkier than the svelte saloon unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. According to Suzuki, "the design reflects a dual focus on status and vitality in a way that generates excitement about its performance and heightens the pleasure of ownership".

The concept is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine - the highest-displacement engine ever used by the company - mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Suzuki is also said to be pursuing solutions such as hybrid technologies to enhance the vehicle's environmental performance.

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Suzuki Kizashi concept

Suzuki is poised to reveal three new vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the most eagerly anticipated model is this new D-segment Kizashi concept car, an attempt to diversify its product portfolio.

Meaning 'prelude' or 'foretaste' in Japanese, the Kizashi concept is an enegetic interpretation of the saloon car. The emotionally appealing design is said to represent the first example of the third phase in Suzuki's new world strategy, which will have 'status' as its major theme.

Source: cardesignnews

Suzuki Splash

Suzuki has announced its latest Splash compact car, scheduled to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. The company claims this latest addition to the range is an all-new design that has been specifically conceived for the European market.

The production Splash bears significant changes to the concept car originally revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, most noticeably in the front and rear fascias. The large headlamps and prominent grille have been toned down to achieve production feasibility, while at the rear the vertical tail lamps have been lengthened and no longer connect under the rear window.

Exterior dimensions reveal the latest addition to the Suzuki line-up seeks to compete head-on with small offerings from European carmakers. Measuring 3.7 meters long and 1.7 meters wide, the Splash slots between Fiat's diminutive Panda and the Renault Modus. And at 1.6 meters, the Suzuki's height is identical to that of Peugeot's 1007 city car.
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Suzuki Cervo

Suzuki is a relatively low-key brand without the variety of models nor media exposure afforded by rivals, so it might be surprising to learn that over the past fifty years they have not had an annual loss, while their growth rate in Europe since 2000 is on a par with Toyota's. With sales figures now snapping at the heels of Renault, Suzuki has just launched the Cervo, a new car for the K-class segment in Japan.

The Suzuki Cervo follows the popular Grand Vitara and award-winning Swift, and has also been dubbed stylish and sporty. Developed around a 'Fit on my Style' theme, with details including semi-bucket front seats and Bluetooth capabilities, the styling of the Cervo is also more expressive than its cubic forebears. Production is expected to reach 5000 units/month as Suzuki aims to crack the sales top ten. Question is, who's going to have to move down to let them in?

Source: cardesignnews

Suzuki Splash concept

Aside from the Rinspeed, the last car called 'Splash' was a Ford concept in 1988, a small organically-styled off-roader that conceptually previewed the Suzuki XC-90. Now Suzuki is using the Splash name to identify a Mazda2/Renault Modus rival that will be on show in Paris next month.

Based on the Suzuki Swift, the Splash has a taller body for greater interior space, its practicality complementing the more dynamic Swift Sport, which will be launched alongside. Main themes on the Splash sketch include the diving swage and bold DRG, while the absence of body color on the roof keeps the car's mass relatively low. Seating five, key dimensions are: length 3780mm, width 1780mm, height 1650mm. The Suzuki Splash will be powered by a new 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine.

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Suzuki A-Star concept

Suzuki has released the first images of its A-Star concept car, due to be officially unveiled at the Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi early next year.

Essentially a post-concept version of the Suzuki Splash revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the A-Star concept is a good indication of Suzuki's global ambition and corporate strategy. Having had a long presence within the domestic market in India (working joint ventures with Maruti Autos) Suzuki is now looking to establish its own foothold in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

From a design perspective, the concept's wheels are positioned far to the body corners and the one-box profile features a slim and fast DLO, giving the compact mini good proportions and a tough stance. Robust wheelarch volumes anchored by set of large alloy wheels further enhances the stance.

Interesting elements are abundant in the details, such as the rather unusual headlamp graphics with 'eyebrow'-type headlamp indicators and L-shaped fog and tail-lamp layouts, along with now familiar large single front grille, similar to that fitted to the Kizashi Concept.

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Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3

The latest Kizashi concept will take the stage at the upcoming New York Auto Show, Suzuki has revealed. Concept Kizashi 3, the third in a series of D-segment concepts, was developed to reflect a 'dynamic athlete in motion' - taking its design cues from a strong physique.

Suzuki's Kizashi series is said to symbolize both the company's future design direction and stated intent to enter the D-segment category. And as the latest addition to the series, the Concept Kizashi 3 will be a 'closer-to-production vision' of a future Suzuki sport sedan offering, with the performance and style befitting a flagship vehicle.

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Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3

Developed at Suzuki's Advanced Design Studio in Japan, the Concept Kizashi 3 is the last in a series of concepts to be released by the automaker. Claimed to embody the spirit of a 'dynamic athlete in motion,' the concept is the precursor for a forthcoming D-segment vehicle set to be unveiled in the next two years.

The global reveal of the Kizashi 3 was joined in New York by the North American debuts of the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, marking the first public display of all three Kizashi concepts. And following the Concept Kizashi unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and the more adventurous Kizashi 2 revealed in Tokyo last year, this new concept is a more elegant form than its predecessors.

Measuring 4,650mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,450mm high, the Kizashi 3 has a short DLO and a 2800mm wheelbase that is not expected to see production. Its somewhat bulbous body, aggressive and imposing grille (first seen in Frankfurt) and its headlamp and taillamp units will not likely transfer to the production vehicle either. And the exterior is all we've got to go on for now...

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Suzuki Alto

Suzuki has revealed this image of the all-new Alto, scheduled to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show. The redesigned small car is claimed to 'combine eye-catching style and easy urban mobility'.

With an emphasis on environmental performance, the revised Alto will also offer high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. The new compact car has been downsized from its current form and lightened, adopting some styling cues first seen on the A-Star concept. The body's form is also said to enable a low drag coefficient.

But even with its overall dimensions decreased, the company still claim ample interior room and comfort. The Alto will be built at Suzuki's plant in Manesar, India, with European vehicles scheduled to appear in dealerships by 2009.
Source: cardesignnews

Suzuki Wagon R and Mazda AZ Wagon

Suzuki and Mazda have released one of the most important Japanese domestic market vehicles in recent years with the fully redesigned Suzuki Wagon R and Mazda AZ Wagon. Although relatively unknown outside the domestic market, with numerous tax breaks and low CO2 emissions, the kei-car (micro mini) is the largest and the most competitive segment in Japan, making up six of the top ten best-selling cars this year. The previous generation Wagon-R was the best-selling domestic passenger car for the last five consecutive years.

The Wagon-R's no-frills, functional exterior styling was created to reflect the interior comfort and the ease of parking in a crowded area, with the Suzuki StingRay version (and Mazda AZ Wagon Custom Style) spicing up the lineup with a custom package for people who want a sporty drive and extra performance in a 4WD package with 660cc turbo engine.

The interior design is again all function, with boxy tall-boy packaging allowing for four adult passengers to fit comfortably into an overall length just over 3500mm.

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