If you want to be successful in Europe, diesel options are a must for any carmaker, even more so in the mainstream segments. Following the launch the gasoline powered versions of the new generation of the Swift last summer, Suzuki has now added a diesel option to the supermini’s range. The Swift DDiS features a revised 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine rated at 75-horsepower and 190Nm (80 lb-ft) at 1,750rpm. Read more »

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In a move to target buyers looking for a more individual look for their car, Suzuki has developed a new range of factory accessories for its 2011 Swift supermini in Germany. The lineup is marketed under the “X-ITE” brand and includes a variety of styling parts for both the interior and exterior of the new generation Swift.

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Suzuki’s stand at this month’s 2011 New York International Auto Show will feature two brand new concepts cars, both based on the Kizashi sedan. In the Japanese automaker’s own words, the first study will be a “stylish and socially-conscious sedan propelled by a newly-developed advanced powertrain”, while the second concept will be a “wildly-schemed and amped up homage to Suzuki’s iconic motorcycle heritage”. Read more »

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The numbers are in for the month of September, and for the most part, they're looking good as industry wide deliveries were up 28% over a year ago according to a report from Autonews. Chrysler Group exec should be feeling extra happy as sales soared 61 percent over the same month a year ago, rising from 62,197 to 100,077 units.

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J.D. Power & Associates' latest vehicle dependability study says most cars are getting better. In fact, J.D. Power tests showed that 25 of 36 brands (69%) improved their long-term durability. Reported problems decreased from an industry average of 167 per 100 vehicles last year to the current 155 (+7% in reliability).

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, said that Porsche was the highest-ranking brand with 110 problems per 100 vehicles followed by Lincoln (114 problems) and Buick (115 problems).

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Being one of the chief sponsors of the "2010 Rock am Ring" ('Rock at the Ring') music festival that takes place - you guessed it - at the Nürburgring race track in early June, Suzuki's German division decided to release a limited edition version of its funky Swift Sport dedicated to the summer event.

The special edition Swift Sport gets "Rock am Ring" branded logos inside and out along with a new entertainment system that comprises of a Clarion navigation system (TMC) with a 6.9-inch color display, 30GB of storage for music, an iPod adapter and more powerful speakers.

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At this year's International Motor Show in Geneva in the beginning of March, Suzuki will unveil the European market version of its new Kizashi saloon that's already on sale in North America and Japan. In Europe, Suzuki's mid-size sedan will play in the D-segment rivaling cars such as the Ford Mondeo, Citroen C5, Toyota Avensis, VW Passat and Opel Insignia.

The company said that it will offer the Kizashi with all-wheel drive as standard while power will be provided by the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine used on the N.A.-spec model.

The four-cylinder unit churns out 185 HP when linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and 178HP when mated to a CVT.

The Japanese maker is also planning to expand the Kizashi's range in the very near future with a more powerful V6 petrol engine as well as a hybrid version, though it is not clear if these variants will make it to Europe.

We don't know yet if it's technically feasible (and economically viable), but Suzuki's recent tie up with Volkswagen could see the Kizashi sedan being offered with a much-needed in Europe, diesel engine sourced from the German Group.

Together with the Kizashi, Suzuki will also display in Geneva the Swift Plug-in Hybrid that was first introduced at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show as well as new variants of the three-and five-door Grand Vitara with a redesigned rear hatch that does away with the spare tire box.

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Suzuki's mildly updated SX4 hatchback (also sold in Europe with the Fiat Sedici badge) has made its way into the UK with the front-wheel drive petrol models on sale now and the 4x4 petrol and diesel versions to follow in April. The five-door crossover model has been revised for 2010 with some subtle styling and interior changes as well as an introduction of a new 1.6-liter petrol engine that offers 10 per cent more power, 10 per cent lower fuel consumption and 12 per cent fewer emissions than the previous unit.

The new 1.6-liter VVT churns out 120HP and 156Nm or 115 lb-ft of peak torque and can be linked to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The gasoline unit is available in either SZ3 or SZ4 2WD (front-wheel drive) format or as a 4x4 SZ5 model with selectable/automatic four-wheel drive.

According to Suzuki, the petrol SX4 with a manual transmission and FWD can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 185km/h or 115mph while returning 6.2lt/100km or 45.6mpg UK on the combined EU cycle with 143g/km of CO2 emissions.

For those that prefer diesel power, Suzuki offers the 1.6-liter DDiS unit with 90HP and 215Nm or 159 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the SX4 goes from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 12.2 seconds and returns a combined 4.9lt/100km or 57.6mpg UK.

On the outside, the 2010 Suzuki SX4 hatch gets a redesigned front bumper and grill together with newly styled 16-inch alloy wheels.

Interior refinements include the revised lower centre dashboard panel that houses a new display, the updated instrument cluster that incorporates a driver information display for average and instantaneous fuel consumption, fuel range and outside temperature, and the illuminated audio controls on the steering wheel.

In addition, Suzuki said that the SX4 also gets a larger engine under shield cover together with improved transmission damping and increased rigidity of body parts

Prices for the 2010 SX4 start from £11,640 for the SZ3 petrol version with a manual gearbox.

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Completing its revised Grand Vitara line-up in the UK, Suzuki has introduced a new 1.9-liter DDiS turbo diesel engine to the five-door model range. The four-cylinder diesel unit produces 129HP at 3,750 rpm and 300Nm or 221 lb-ft of peak torque at 2,000 rpm launching the compact SUV from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 13.2 sec and on to a top speed of 106mph or 170 km/h.

Suzuki said that CO2 emissions are reduced to 185g/km from 191g/km compared to the previous unit while the new model achieves 40.4mpg UK or 33.7mpg US / 7.0 lt per 100km on the combined cycle.

The new model is available in two different trim levels, the SZ4 and SZ5 grades, both of which come equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, in-dash 6CD changer with radio, MP3 audio-compatibility and seven speakers, heated leather seats and automatic climate control air conditioning as standard.

UK prices have been set at £17,975 OTR for the SZ4 and £19,475 OTR for the SZ5 trim.

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Looks can definitely be deceiving as this special edition version of the Suzuki SX4 proves. Although Suzuki Germany’s SX4 WRC looks just like the World Rally Championship race car, take out the stickers, the subtle bodykit and the white 16-inch alloys and your left with a normal SX4 equipped with a stock 107Hp 1.6-liter engine and faux carbon fiber trim in the interior. Of course you can brag about owning one of only 500 units that will be produced, but we gather that won’t earn you street cred. The SX4 WRC is available in Germany for €19,500. -Pics after the jump

Via: WFC

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Prices for Suzuki’s all-new Splash mini-MPV, which goes on sale in the UK on March 8, will start from £8,999 for the 1.2 GLS model rising to £9,499 for the 1.2 GLS+, which adds 15 inch alloys, front foglamps and privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate. Both versions are powered by an 86 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The GLS+ model can also be equipped with a 4-speed automatic, priced £10,349. -Continued

Additionally, the Splash will also be offered with a Fiat derived, 75 PS 1.3-liter diesel engine with an identical specification to the GLS+. Prices for the diesel model start at £10,499.

All models are equipped with six airbags and ESP (electronic stability as standard); a CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-trimmed steering wheel; remote central locking; front electric windows with driver’s auto-down; air conditioning; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; height-adjustable front seats; tilt adjustable steering wheel; and an information display.

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Suzuki officially confirmed today that it would add a new pickup truck in its vehicle line-up in late 2008. The yet to be named pickup will be based on the Nissan Frontier midsize truck and it will be built at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn with production set to start in the fall of 2008. The vehicle will be marketed solely by Suzuki in North America. In 2006, Nissan and Suzuki Motor Corp. announced an agreement to expand the scope of their business collaboration and the midsize pickup is part of that agreement, which also included the supply by Nissan to Suzuki of the Serena minivan in Japan. (Image edited by Carscoop)

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This print ad is the work of the Danish advertising agency, “Robert/Boisen & Likeminded” which is based in the city of Copenhagen. The advert utilizes a set of roll-coaster style protective bars to accentuate the Japanese mini’s youthful character. In our humble opinion, the ad would have been better targeted if the Danish agency had used the Suzuki Swift Sport with the bucket seats instead of the basic model, which to be honest, isn't what we'd call fun.

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