Blending driving excitement and performance in a stylish, head-turning package, the sporty SX4 sedan joins a growing array of spirited Suzuki products displayed at the 2007 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).
Built in Japan, the SX4 sedan features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine rated at 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque, making it more powerful than the segment volume leaders. It is available with either an automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.
The chassis of the SX4 sedan evolved from the award-winning Suzuki Swift that received numerous industry accolades worldwide, including many “Car of the Year” awards in Europe and Asia. With an emphasis on dynamic performance, the sport-tuned SX4 sedan brings the excitement of the Swift to the U.S. market. The SX4 sedan features a rigid steel unibody underpinned by a well-controlled chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe to provide stability, crisp and responsive handling and braking, and minimal body roll. For optimal braking performance, it features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as standard equipment.
The stylish design continues inside the SX4 sedan. Wide door openings provide the driver and passengers with superior ease of entry and egress, while the large cabin proportions and command seating position optimize visibility to enhance driving confidence and control. The cabin allows comfortable seating for five, with more overall interior space than the segment’s volume leaders. The SX4 sedan also features theater-style seating for the rear passengers.
A functional and high-tech center panel offers large, circular controls flanked by modern aluminum- colored trim. Instruments and controls are backlit by contemporary, high-tech red lighting, and the ergonomic design of the instrument cluster and dashboard provides clear views of the meters and easy access to the controls for a true driver-oriented cabin. The sporty cockpit theme extends throughout the cabin with a dark interior that features black cloth for a look that is both sharp and refined.
The sedan’s handsome integrated center stack also houses a sophisticated audio system – standard AM/FM/MP3/CD with four speakers. The system is XM Satellite Radio ready and offers an available premium sound system, featuring nine speakers and in-dash six-disc CD changer.
Consistent with Suzuki’s philosophy of both fun and safe driving, the SX4 sedan offers an extensive array of standard safety features, including four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Passive safety equipment includes a reinforced body with front and rear crush zones designed to help absorb impact energy and six standard airbags: driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags; and side curtain airbags designed to provide additional protection for outboard front- and rear-seat passengers. In addition, the SX4 sedan is fitted with front three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, three-point inertia reel rear seat belts and ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors.
The all-new 2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in the fall of 2007.
Video: 2008 Suzuki SX4