Suzuki Recalling Grand Vitara and SX4 in the States

More than 32,000 Suzuki Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles are being recalled in the United States over an improperly manufactured component of the tension adjuster pulley that could cause the drive belt to either slip or come off and lead to engine overheating or stalling.

Suzuki said the recall concerns the 2009-2010 model year Grand Vitara SUVs equipped with 4-cylinder engines; 2011MY Grand Vitara vehicles produced prior to October 17, 2010; 2010MY SX4s and 2011MY SX4s manufactured before October 14, 2010.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that in the affected vehicles, the tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt that operates the alternator, water pump, air conditioner compressor and power steering pump, has an improperly manufactured internal spring that can break due to repeated stress.

According to the government agency, if the spring breaks, the drive belt can slip, causing a squeaking noise, or come off, in which case, the driver will have to use increased steering effort, while it can also cause the engine to overheat or stall.

The Japanese firm's dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before February 16, 2011.

READ MORE - Suzuki Recalling Grand Vitara and SX4 in the States

Suzuki Recalling Grand Vitara and SX4 in the States

More than 32,000 Suzuki Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles are being recalled in the United States over an improperly manufactured component of the tension adjuster pulley that could cause the drive belt to either slip or come off and lead to engine overheating or stalling.

Suzuki said the recall concerns the 2009-2010 model year Grand Vitara SUVs equipped with 4-cylinder engines; 2011MY Grand Vitara vehicles produced prior to October 17, 2010; 2010MY SX4s and 2011MY SX4s manufactured before October 14, 2010.

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READ MORE - Suzuki Recalling Grand Vitara and SX4 in the States

Suzuki SX-4's Darker Side: New SZ-L Special Edition for UK Market

A new special edition version of Suzuki's SX4 small crossover called the SZ-L is being launched onto the UK market this week. What makes the SZ-L special is a styling package that adds a number of exterior and interior features.

Available in two colors, 'Silky Silver Pearl' and 'Cosmic Black', the SZ-L model comes equipped with unique gunmetal colored roof rails, front grille, alloy wheels and front and rear skid plates.

Inside, the SZ-L gets Alcantara seat trim in light gray plus a three spoke leather steering wheel with gunmetal stitch detailing and a standard six disc in dash CD changer.

The SZ-L is based on the SZ4 grade and is available only in two wheel drive layout with a 120HP-strong 1.6-liter gasoline engine matched to a manual gearbox. Suzuki claims the small crossover can accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100km/h) in 10.7 seconds and return a combined fuel economy of 45.6mpg UK with CO2 emissions of 143g/km.

Pricing is set at £13,145 and includes the cost of the metallic paint.

READ MORE - Suzuki SX-4's Darker Side: New SZ-L Special Edition for UK Market

Fire Hazard from Garmin Nuvi Prompts Recalls from Suzuki and Nissan

After Garmin announced a voluntary recall of 1.25 million units of its popular Nuvi GPS system at the end of August amidst concerns that the batteries could overheat and catch fire, Suzuki and Nissan followed with a recall on several vehicles equipped with the affected Garmin Nuvi navigation systems including the 750, 760, or 765 models for the same reason.

The recalled Garmin units can be found on certain Suzuki vehicles including the 2008-2010MY SX4 crossovers, 2010MY Grand Vitara SUVs, and 2009-2010MY Equator vehicles, and the 2008-2010MY Nissan Altima, Frontier, Pahtfinder, Rogue, Sentra, Versa and Xterra vehicles.

In both cases, the automakers will notify owners of the affected models, and the repairs will be performed by Garmin technicians who will replace the battery and insert a spacer on top of the battery free of charge.

READ MORE - Fire Hazard from Garmin Nuvi Prompts Recalls from Suzuki and Nissan

Suzuki Adds SX4 Saloon to its UK Lineup

Suzuki has finally rolled out a four-door sedan version of the SX4 for the UK market. Measuring 4,510mm in length, 1,730mm in width and 1,545mm in height, the sedan's most prominent feature is its enlarged boot capacity that has 515 liters. Priced from at £11,895, the sedan is offered with a 107HP 1.6-liter engine that powers the car from nought to 62 mph (100km/h) in 10.7 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

According to Suzuki, in combined cycle driving, the SX4 saloon returns a combined fuel consumption of 41.5 mpg UK with CO2 emissions of 165g/km.

The SX4 Saloon is similarly equipped to the SX4 1.6 GLX five-door hatchback and comes with six airbags, four electric windows, MP3/WMA compatible CD tuner, automatic air conditioning, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start and heated door mirrors as standard.

READ MORE - Suzuki Adds SX4 Saloon to its UK Lineup

2010 Suzuki SX4 and SX4 Sedan Facelift Revealed in China

Suzuki's joint-venture in China, Changan-Suzuki, has released a facelift version of the SX4 crossover for the domestic market. Not surprisingly, both the hatchback and sedan variants of the updated SX4 feature the same aesthetic changes as the European version of the car that was scooped undisguised last December. These include the redesigned bumper, reworked grille and concave surfaces above the fog lights as well as a new skid-plate at the rear of the hatchback.

For those that like to pay attention to insignificant details, the China-market and, from the looks of it, the European-spec 2010 SX4's subtly redesign front-end is no different than the one found on the North American market SX4 that has been around since 2006...

The Chine-spec SX4s also feature updated interior trim and a new GPS navigation system.

READ MORE - 2010 Suzuki SX4 and SX4 Sedan Facelift Revealed in China

2009 Suzuki SX4 Facelift Spied Undisguised

The same folks over at the Sedici community that brought us the first shots of the facelifted Fiat Sedici, now bring us photos of the subcompact crossover's Japanese twin, the 2009 Suzuki SX4. More of an (extremely) subtle makeover than a true facelift, the 2009 SX4's nose gets a revised bumper with a restyled center air grille and concave surfaces above the fog lights. Other than that, Suzuki has also revised the protective aluminum plate on the rear bumper. Given that the 2009 Sedici features a few mild changes in the interior, we gather that the SX4's cabin will also be upgraded. Like the Fiat Sedici, the 2009 SX4 will make its market debut in 2009.

Via: FiatSedici.forumcommunity

READ MORE - 2009 Suzuki SX4 Facelift Spied Undisguised

2009 Fiat Sedici Crossover Facelift Scooped

A member of an Italian Fiat Sedici enthusiast forum has scooped the facelifted version of Fiat's soft-roader ahead of the car's official debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, 2009. The Sedici is the twin brother of the Suzuki SX4 and it is offered in front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts. The subtly restyled Sedici features a new front grille inspired from Fiat's latest models like the Bravo and Grande Punto as well as a redesigned front bumper. Interior revisions include the restyled instrument panel and the new air-condition controls.

Sources state that apart from the cosmetic enhancements, the Sedici will also benefit from mechanical updates that will include the introduction of new diesel and petrol engines.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Fiatsedici.forumcommunity.net

READ MORE - 2009 Fiat Sedici Crossover Facelift Scooped

Suzuki to Test New SX4 FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle on Public Roads

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has given Suzuki the green light to test a new compact fuel cell vehicle based on the SX4 crossover. Quite interestingly, the SX4 FCV is equipped with a GM-made high-performance fuel cell along with a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen tank, and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application and uses it to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration. -Continued

The Japanese carmaker has been developing fuel cell vehicles in cooperation with General Motors (GM) since 2001 and up until now, it has tested three fuel cell mini vehicles on public roads with ministerial approval: the MR Wagon-FCV and Wagon R-FCV in October 2003 and the MR Wagon-FCV again in December 2004.

READ MORE - Suzuki to Test New SX4 FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle on Public Roads

Suzuki SX4 WRC Replica: Limited Edition Version

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

READ MORE - Suzuki SX4 WRC Replica: Limited Edition Version

2007 LA Show: Suzuki Makai Concept Based On the SX4

Looks like Suzuki has confused the SEMA Show with the LA Show if we judge from the Makai concept, a surf-inspired convertible based on the SX4 Sport hatch. Fabricated and painted by Andry Specialty Vehicles of Torrance, Calif., the Makai not only lost the SX4’s roof top but it also gained a custom body kit, styled exhaust, LED taillights and running lamps, large 19-inch CEC wheels in wide Michelin Pilot sport tires and, four-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors and Rotora callipers.

The surf themed Makai also boasts a custom surfboard mounting rack and dual matching sunset orange trimmed boards while Suzuki designers shaved a couple of inches off the windscreen and added a targa rear hoop to further enhances the car’s open-air look. -Continued after the jump

The SX4’s cabin has also been modified with custom interior components, including ventilated, suspended seats in all four positions, high output, beach party-themed VeaLink audio system with MTX speakers and components, dashboard-integrated Garmin navigation system, Kinetik Power Cell battery, StreetWires audio/video install kit and cabling, Momo Sport steering wheel and color-keyed interior accent lighting.

READ MORE - 2007 LA Show: Suzuki Makai Concept Based On the SX4