Suzuki Splash: Compact & Confident

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/May/2007

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)