AUTO-CAR: Suzuki

Showing posts with label Suzuki. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

2012 SX4 may get a new 1.4 liter petrol engine

A few days back we told you that Maruti will be sourcing the 1.6-liter Multijet diesel engine from Fiat for its 2012 SX4 crossover, which will first come out of the company’s plant in Hungary. The new diesel engine will be replacing the current 2.0-liter oil burner unit, which again is a Fiat sourced mill. Now more news on the engine options of the second-generation version of the car is emerging. Seems like a 1.4-liter K-series (K14?) engine will replace the current 1.6-liter VVT unit.

The new engine will be marginally less powerful than the 1.6liter powerplant, but will be more fuel efficient. The new engine will produce 95horses and 130 Nm of twist, as against the 1.6-liter’s 102bhp and 145 Nm. The new engine would not just be more fuel efficient, but would also be more driveable in city conditions.

All said, we still think at 95PS of power shouldn’t be enough to pull the heft of the heavy SX4 with reassurance, unless the engine is really a gem. Let’s hope it really is.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Suzuki A-Star Concept

First seen in January at New Delhi Auto Expo, A-Star is to make European debut in Geneva. As a global car go, it is very difficult to find one with a richer pedigree than this little Suzuki. Designed and developed in Japan and India, A-Star is now targeting European buyers. Suzuki has been very successful in India. For three decades there has been working with the Suzuki Maruti India partners, and business / Japanese joint venture India currently accounts for more than 55 percent of India's booming automotive market.

So it makes sense that A-Star will leverage 25 years of experience Suzuki has been working in India, not to mention the cheap labor cost of India. A-Star will be built in India and exported around the world, including Europe, where it will generate good profit margins. Exact time is uncertain. A-Star production began in October, with initial sales to the domestic market of India, followed by the launch into Asia and Europe.

A name change is also possible for the European version, although Suzuki officials confirmed that the name A-Star will remain for India. Any badges or slapping their name on it, we do not wish to appear on our shores. Powered by a tiny 996cc engine, three-cylinder, A-Star just did not have the horsepower that the American buyers demand.

But there's no denying that the proportion of the chunky four-door hatchback looks good. A fun, developing a style that shows Indian heritage is at the rear lights car A-Star. Look closely, and you'll see there are Indian paisley design worked into it.