Suzuki auto news

Confirmed: Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming?

The Suzuki Regina concept shown at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show was an unusual little car. We don't want to get our hopes up about production (especially since we'd probably never get it in America anyway), but the Regina will return to the spotlight at the Geneva Motor Show with some tweaks that have us wondering if Suzuki plans to actually build the French-looking runabout. Despite its bold styling, the Regina's drivetrain seems plausible enough; it's powered by a conventional three-cylinder gasoline engine.

The Regina will apparently be renamed G70 when it's shown in Switzerland. Tokyo publicity for the car centered around the five-door as "an idea for a 1,600-pound sedan that gets 75 miles per gallon." Suzuki has officially pegged the weight of the G70 at 730 kg, or 1,606 pounds. The "70" in the name likely comes from its 70g/km of carbon emissions, but Suzuki hasn't divulged its numbers yet. Follow the jump for a press release on the G70 concept.

Continue reading Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming?

Video: Suzuki shows slushy Super Bowl commercial in advance

You won't have to wait until February 5 to see the new Suzuki Super Bowl commercial, as it's hit the automaker's YouTube channel in advance. Featuring an Eskimo who trades in his sled on an all-wheel-drive Kizashi, it's fun and decidedly more upbeat than last year's marauding snowmen.

Still, we kind of prefer the snowmen, which were more unconventional than the Eskimo ad's predictable plot. This year's ad also embraces two of the major Super Bowl ad tropes of recent years: adorable dogs and bickering couples. Neither of which is likely to win Suzuki any points for creativity.

Regardless, we have to admit that sliding a Kizashi at opposite lock across the frozen tundra looks like fun, and we think the underappreciated Suzuki is worthy of some extra attention. Click past the jump to watch the commercial in its entirety.

Continue reading Suzuki shows slushy Super Bowl commercial in advance

Report: Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire sedan may have world's shortest trunk

While some would have you believe that Americans are unique in their general preference for traditional betrunked sedans over hatchbacks, don't let them sway you. There are plenty of markets in the world where trunklids are preferred to tailgates. But while sedans are typically viewed as larger than hatchbacks, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.

The product of a Suzuki joint venture in India (which is by itself the largest automaker on the subcontinent), the Swift Dzire is the new sedan version of the nimble little hatchback available in overseas markets. And while the previous-generation version appeared to have added a trunk as an appendage off the back of a Swift, the new version looks like it just lost the upper part of the hatch for what looks like the smallest trunk this side of a newborn elephant. (Cue the ballpark organ music.)

The reason for the Dzire's shortening from one model year to the next is not apparently in an effort to boost sales, as the model already reportedly has a waiting list, but to take advantage of Indian government regulations that more heavily taxes vehicles over four meters in length. Check out additional photos of the Dzire over at IndianAutosBlog.

Official: Kizashi to return to Super Bowl in new ad from Suzuki [w/video] [UPDATED]

Suzuki is about as small as automakers get here in the United States, even if its parent company does mad business in Japan and other parts of the world. So when the scrappy purveyor of the SX4 and Grand Vitara says it will again be ponying up for Super Bowl ads featuring its Kizashi mid-size sedan, it raises some eyebrows, including ours.

Super Bowl ads are notoriously expensive, and Suzuki sold just 26,619 vehicles in the U.S. in 2011. Based on last year's $2.8-$3 million ad cost estimates, that would be over $100 per vehicle. But Suzuki's 2011 ads only aired in 14 targeted markets, presumably bringing the cost down substantially. (Suzuki tells us it will be running its 2012 ad regionally as well.) We've seen some reports pegging its Super Bowl budget last year at $2 million, which still works out to $75 per Suzuki sold. For comparison, Chevrolet spent an estimated $15 million (five spots) on the 2011 Super Bowl, and sold 1,775,812 vehicles, which works out to about $8.45 per car.

Suzuki sent us the teaser image above, which looks like it will continue the snow theme of last year's "Wicked Weather" ad, which featured evil snowmen chasing an all-wheel-drive Kizashi. If you missed it because you don't live in the snow belt, we've got the long version embedded after the jump.

UPDATE: Suzuki contacted us, saying that the report of a $2 million ad spend last year was wrong. According to the automaker, it only spent $200,000 on its regional Super Bowl ads in 2011, meaning the per car cost was much, much lower - a mere $7.51 per car. "We have attempted to be fiscally responsible in every facet of our business," said Suzuki spokesman Jeff Holland, "and this includes ad buys like our new Super Bowl spot."

Continue reading Kizashi to return to Super Bowl in new ad from Suzuki [w/video] [UPDATED]

Official: Kizashi to return to Super Bowl in new ad from Suzuki [w/video]

Suzuki is about as small as automakers get here in the United States, even if its parent company does mad business in Japan and other parts of the world. So when the scrappy purveyor of the SX4 and Grand Vitara says it will again be ponying up for Super Bowl ads featuring its Kizashi mid-size sedan, it raises some eyebrows, including ours.

Super Bowl ads are notoriously expensive, and Suzuki sold just 26,619 vehicles in the U.S. in 2011. Based on last year's $2.8-$3 million ad cost estimates, that would be over $100 per vehicle. But Suzuki's 2011 ads only aired in 14 targeted markets, presumably bringing the cost down substantially. (Suzuki tells us it will be running its 2012 ad regionally as well.) We've seen some reports pegging its Super Bowl budget last year at $2 million, which still works out to $75 per Suzuki sold. For comparison, Chevrolet spent an estimated $15 million (five spots) on the 2011 Super Bowl, and sold 1,775,812 vehicles, which works out to about $8.45 per car.

Suzuki sent us the teaser image above, which looks like it will continue the snow theme of last year's "Wicked Weather" ad, which featured evil snowmen chasing an all-wheel-drive Kizashi. If you missed it because you don't live in the snow belt, we've got the long version embedded after the jump.

Continue reading Kizashi to return to Super Bowl in new ad from Suzuki [w/video]

Suzuki shows Concept XA trucklet in Delhi

Want to know how highly regarded the multiple-award winning Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is? At the recent Auto Expo in Delhi, India Maruti Suzuki showed a concept that is, to our eyes, extraordinarily reminiscent of the small English SUV - although we'll readily admit the glasshouse is a tweaked version of the current Suzuki Swift.

Called the XA Alpha concept, some reports say that it's underpinned by the Swift platform, while others report that the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy off-roader, based on the Jimny, provides the chassis. For comparison purposes, the XA is just a few inches shorter and narrower than an Evoque, but the same height as the Evoque four-door.

Plans for production are said to rest with audience reception, which appears to have - understandably - been quite positive. If and when a production version does arrive, you can probably kiss the suicide doors goodbye, but it is predicted to be offered with four-wheel drive and "a range of K-Series petrol engines and 1.3-liter DDIS engine." Click the link for more photos of the flexible Indian flyer.

These are your top 10 worst-selling vehicles of 2011

Where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Last year was exceedingly kind to big pickups, sprawling family sedans and SUVs, but not every model came out of 2011 with big sales figures. We took the time to dig through the low-selling models of the past 12 months to find out which vehicles produced throughout the year were the biggest duds. Since we aren't interested in how few Lamborghini Aventador models rolled off of dealer lots in the U.S. in 2011, we kept the MSRP under $100,000.

Our criteria immediately nixed vehicles like the Mazda RX-8, Volvo V50, Ram Cargo Van and everything in the Saab stable due to the fact that those models weren't manufactured through all 12 months of 2011. High-end metal like the Mercdes-Benz SL, CL and G classes were also kicked to the curb due to our price ceiling. Which was the worst of them all? We'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Acura ZDX. Hit the jump to check out our list of the worst-selling vehicles of 2011.

Continue reading These are your top 10 worst-selling vehicles of 2011

Teased: Suzuki readying next-gen Jimny/Samurai?

Suzuki has dropped a few teasers of a new concept vehicle headed to this year's Delhi Auto Expo, and the sneaky shots may hint at a successor to the well-worn Jimny/Samurai throne. Right now, the automaker doesn't have a known replacement lined up for the pint-sized SUV.

The Samurai may have exited North America long ago, but its direct descendant, the Jimny, is still very much alive elsewhere. In fact, it has cultivated a decades-old reputation for being a tough-as-nails bruiser that's as reliable as it is capable. We think Suzuki would do well to keep the model in its portfolio in the future, and now, new reports suggest the company could lift parts from the Swift drivetrain to build a low-cost Jimny successor.

Even so, assuming the teasers indicate a concept vehicle, it would likely be some time before we saw a production model frolicking about in the light of day. Early estimates would put a next-generation Samurai on stage at the Delhi Auto Expo in two years or so. Does that mean the U.S. will see the Samurai name return to its soil? With Suzuki's floundering presence here in the states, that seems unlikely, but we would welcome a capable, low-dollar off roader to our shores any day. Head over to the Maruti Suzuki page for a closer look.

Tokyo: Suzuki debuts range-extended Swift EV Hybrid

Suzuki hit the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with a small flotilla of green-minded vehicles, including the Swift EV Hybrid. According to the company, most Swift buyers travel between 12 and 18 miles per day, so engineers designed this range-extended EV to cover that distance on pure electric power. A small-displacement internal combustion engine remains on hand to take over charging duties should the driver deplete the vehicle's batteries, just like in the Chevrolet Volt. Suzuki says that the design has several advantages over a traditional electric vehicle.

For starters, the system uses a significantly smaller battery than a full EV, which means the Swift EV Hybrid uses fewer resources and costs less. It also takes less time to charge than a full EV as well. While we don't expect to see this doorless wonder on the streets any time soon, Suzuki may apply the range-extender technology to production models in the future.

Tokyo: Gas-sipping Suzuki Regina Concept begs for production

There's something about the Suzuki Regina Concept that we like. A lot. For starters, it has a white roof. What's cool about that, you ask? Well, after Ford stole the idea from Mini for the Flex, nothing. But darn it if it doesn't look good here. With those rear fender skirts, we're actually seeing a good bit of Citroën DS in Suzuki's stylish little econobox, and as we all know, the DS is the most beautiful car of all time.

The Regina Concept, on the other hand, is just an idea for a 1,600-pound sedan that gets 75 miles per gallon. Suzuki didn't share details about the powertrain, but Autocar is reporting that the Regina Concept is powered by a turbocharged, 800-cc gasoline engine, and uses both start-stop and regenerative braking tech to achieve such lofty fuel economy.

A car that light could be powered by a leaf blower and still be fun to drive, so we're giving this one a thumbs up. Go ahead and build it, Suzuki, because you know someone will figure out a way to put a small-block Chevy in it. Hit the jump for Suzuki's short press release.

Continue reading Gas-sipping Suzuki Regina Concept begs for production