Suzuki Splash: Compact & ConfidentMotoring
Channel Staff - 15/May/2007 |  Suzuki Splash
 Come 2008, the Suzuki Splash will on sale in Europe with three efficient engine choices
 There's a touch of the Toyota Yaris in the design, which Suzuki refers to as "juvenile and emotional"
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Shizuoka, Japan —
Suzuki is charging ahead with the expansion of its small car fleet,
announcing the Splash, a new small passenger car that it hopes will increase its market share in Europe. Powered
by small 3- and 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, the Splash is
based on the Suzuki Swift platform and made its global debut
in Germany at the 2007 Frankfurt International
Motor
Show. With high levels of fuel efficiency it
is expected that sales of the car with will start in Europe from the
second quarter of 2008. This
new model, the Splash, is not the successor of any specific former
model says Suzuki, but is a brand-new concept aimed at satisfying
the needs of demanding European
customers in terms of compactness, modern design,
aerodynamics, quality, driveability, and environmental
friendliness. Suzuki is also touting excellent ride comfort as a selling point for the new car. Measuring
3.7 metres long and 1.7 metres wide, it's not the smallest compact car
on the market, but is still small enough to be useful in Europe's
crowded mega cities. It's a tall car too (1.6 metres), which increases
interior room without adding width. With its
overall length of 3.7 metres and width of 1.7 metres it offers an amply
tall and comfortable roomy cabin with sufficient legroom for adults on
all seats. Its modern design leads to excellent aerodynamic efficiency
and consequently to low carbon-dioxide emissions. Suzuki
says it intends to gain a significant market share in
the growing compact car market in Europe with the new flexible new
Splash, which it claims will combine the sportiness of Suzuki's
successful Swiftmodel with the technologies and immense know-how
of the Japanese world market leader in the mini car segment. The
safety equipment for the new Japanese compact car is 'state-of-the-art'
according to Suzuki and will feature a similar complement to the
highly lauded SX4, including six airbags and an electronic stability program (ESP). Sporting
a fresh new design, which Suzuki refers to as "energetic, juvenile and
emotional" the Splash is aimed at a youthful demographic and will be
priced accordingly. The rear end of the car seems to have a touch of
the Renault Megane and is daring to say the least, while the front end
builds on the Suzuki Swifts image, but is a slightly 'safer' design
with smart-casual European influences. Flared wheel arches give the
compact car a touch of sportiness as well. When the car
goes on sale in 2008 in European countries, it will be
offered with two fuel efficient petrol engines and one diesel,
comprising 3- and 4-cylinder designs. The engine types are as follows: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol: 48kW (65hp)
1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol: 63kW (86hp)
1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel: 55kW (75hp)
The
entry-level 3-cylinder engine that produces peak power of 48kW
(65hp) will be the most efficient powerplant while 16-valve
4-cylinder unit be a bit more powerful. Suzuki
says these small capacity engines - which are claimed to have flat
torque curves at low and mid-range speeds to improve driveability -
will be highly fuel efficient and will limit CO2
emissions. The diesel engine option is a
1.3-litre, common rail, 16-valve unit (with an optional particulate
filter) and makes 55kW (75hp). Suzuki explains
that in light of the growing need for environmental compatibility,
emissions of all three engines with 5-speed manual gearboxes are
between only 120g/km and 140g/km. Both petrol
motors were developed from scratch by Suzuki Motor Corporation as
next-generation power engines for compact cars, while the diesel engine
will be produced at Suzuki's manufacturing plant in India under license
from GM Powertrain Europe. Hoping to sell up to 60,000
units per annum in Europe, Suzuki is confident the Splash will have
broad spectrum appeal thanks to its abundance of standard features, new
design, and fuel efficient nature. There's
been no comment on whether the car will be coming to Australia.
The new Suzuki Splash car will be manufactured in Europe (Hungary) by
Suzuki's subsidiary company Magyar Suzuki Corporation. Related articles: - Suzuki SX4 (2007) - Suzuki Swift Sport (Road Test) - Suzuki Grand Vitara (Road Test) - Suzuki XL7
(2007) |