Suzuki XL7: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 20/Apr/2006

Looking to capitalise on the successes of its Swift small car and the new Vitara/Escudo soft-roader, Suzuki has used the New York International Motor Show to unveil its new flagship SUV, the Suzuki XL7.

Expected to be sold in North America late this year, and released in Australia sometime in 2007, the new vehicle has an Australian connection - it's engine.

The new model will feature an engine designed by General Motors (many of which are manufactured by Holden in Melbourne) and will be built by Suzuki at its Japanese production facilities. It is a 3.6-litre V6 engine that will make the new XL7 a more powerful 7-seat SUV than the previous model.

Peak power is 186 kilowatts or 250 horsepower, while torque rises to 329Nm thanks to variable valve timing and revised engine control unit (ECU) calibration. In the States, the new XL7 will be offered in both front- and all-wheel drive.

In addition to the new V6 engine, the Suzuki XL7 gets a fresh new face, one that's quite a large evolutionary step beyond its predecessor. Taking its design cues from the Concept-X, first seen at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show, the new look is dominated by the angular headlight structures (similar in style to the Suzuki Swift) and a classy triple element chrome grille.

Flared wheel arches, large alloy wheels, dual exhaust pipes and roof racks round out the aesthetic updates of what is a thoroughly modern Japanese SUV.

The new XL7 is also a much larger vehicle than its predecessor, based on a rear-wheel drive truck chassis making use of GM's Theta platform, which is comprised of a high-strength steel unibody structure, incorporating full-length frame rails and a safety cage of sorts. The frame rails run from front to rear, providing the XL7's body with increased levels of strength, making it a more capable vehicle in serious off road conditions.

Suzuki's new 7-seat SUV will ride on four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and a multilink design in the rear, which will improve it's on road manners. When specified with 5-seats, the independent rear suspension is fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers, where Nivomat self-leveling rear shock absorbers are fitted with the 7-seat model.

All-wheel drive models of the attractive XL7 will feature an active, electronically controlled rear differential module which responds immediately to all-wheel-drive requests and effectively eliminates lag times, which sounds suspiciously like a part-time 4WD system.

Naturally, the larger 2007 model XL7 features a more spacious interior, that in Suzuki's words provides upscale sophistication and refinement, and the option of a third row should owners want seating for seven. In addition to the practicality of ample storage consoles and areas and the convenience of four 12-volt power outlets, the interior of the 2007 Suzuki XL7 features upscale wood or satin nickel appliques on the instrument panel and doors, chrome accents throughout and matte black, low-gloss surfaces. Leather seating surfaces and leather-wrapped steering wheel are also part of certain trim packages.

Certain trim packages will also include DVD entertainment systems, and safety features have been given a boost with the addition of sensors that monitor potential roll overs, and can proactively predict vehicle "tip up" on a flat road surface and apply brake force to the outside front and rear wheels in order to reduce lateral force in the vehicle.

Other safety features include driver and passenger front airbags and side-curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, traction control and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

"The all-new XL7 was designed to blend SUV versatility and safety with increased driver and passenger comfort," said Koji Yamada, chief engineer for the XL7 project. "The XL7 not only offers the cargo and seating flexibility for all aspects of a consumer's active lifestyle, but performance capabilities and safety features that give them the confidence of being in control."

With its new style, versatile 5- or 7-seat interiors and powerful new core, Suzuki's XL7 will be on sale in the US around November, or the fourth quarter of 2006, and though deliveries aren't yet scheduled for Australia, it is expected to arrive here in 2007.