Suzuki News

Suzuki Australia has teamed up with Ski & Snowboard Australia as the official vehicle sponsor for the upcoming National Snowsport Championships.

Held throughout August, the series represents the highest level of snow sport competition in Australia with athletes competing across the four disciplines of alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle and cross-country skiing.

The event will feature many National and Olympic Team athletes together with international competitors from over 20 nations.

In addition to financial support, the venture sees Suzuki hand over a Grand Vitara Prestige V6 - valued at over $44,000 - plus the use of a uniquely-branded SX4 all wheel drive loan vehicle.

In announcing the partnership, Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers and Ski & Snowboard CEO Michael Kennedy said the relationship was a great fit for both parties.

"Suzuki has an enviable reputation in producing world-class adventure vehicles that have long been the choice for snow-going motorists, including the Grand Vitara - the first and most awarded compact SUV," said Devers.

"This competition sees the best-of-the-best competing against one another and Suzuki is extremely proud to put its name to such a prestigious event."

Kennedy said the company was delighted to welcome Suzuki to the competition.

"We are thrilled to have Suzuki on board as a major partner of SSA."

"Snow sport is going from strength to strength in Australia right now. It is one of Australia's largest participation sports and we are looking forward to a strong and enduring partnership with Suzuki."

Ski & Snowboard Australia is the internationally recognised authority responsible for the management of competitive snow sports in Australia, from grassroots to the elite level.

Athletes such as Torah Bright, Lydia Lassila, Chumpy Pullin and Dale Begg-Smith are representative of a new wave of successful athletes who sit alongside other great legends of the sport such as Jacqui Cooper, Alisa Camplin, Kirstie Marshall and Zali Steggall. All are big names both here in Australia and overseas.

SSA aims to promote participation and competition in snow sports through an athlete pathway, at both junior and senior level, resulting in some 200 events throughout the Australian ski season.

The championship series kicks off on August 7 at Mt Hotham with subsequent events to follow at Thredbo, Perisher and Falls Creek.

Suzuki's outstanding Alto has blitzed the field to win the title of Australia's most economical car to own. The Alto came out on top after NRMA analysed the ownership costs of 620 new car models. And it didn't just scrape in-the Alto won by a margin of almost 10 percent.

Not only that, but Suzuki four-wheel-drives dominated the SUV results. The Suzuki Jimny beat every other SUV on the market and the Suzuki Grand Vitara was near thetop of the list as well.

One of the newest cars in the nation is the Suzuki Kizashi. It takes the well established Japanese manufacturer into the mid-size market segment for the first time.

Suzuki's products are highly prized. For example, the Swift has been Next Car's most respected light car for the past five years. Whilst the SX4 and the four-wheel drive Grand Vitara are highly regarded competitors in their respective segments. Value is always a consideration with Suzuki. Such an attribute is always appreciated by the buyers too!

The Kizashi 4 door sedan arrives here in a choice of two trim levels. The base model is known as "XL", whilst the top of the range is the "XLS". Both models have a choice of a six-speed manual (with two overdrive ratios) or continuous variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The Kizashi measures in at 4,650 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. The width is 1,820 mm and height is 1,480 mm.

Motive power is provided by a 2.4 litre in-line four cylinder engine. The power rating comes in at 131 kW at 6,500 rpm whilst the torque is rated at 230 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The engine is based on the unit which powers the Grand Vitara.

Fuel usage for the "combined cycle" is rated at 7.9 litres per 100 kms for each variant, according to factory tests. The fuel tank has a capacity of 63 litres.

Power steering, 5 x 17" alloy wheels and four-wheel disc brakes are standard. So, too, are six airbags and electronic stability programme (ESP).

Other features for the Kizashi XL include dual-zone air conditioning, power windows (auto up/down for both front windows), tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustments, height adjustment for the driver's seat, split rear seatbacks, keyless ignition, audio system with single-disc CD player (MP3 capable with USB connectivity) with steering wheel mounted remote control and seven speakers, together with remote door locking. Whilst the automatic version also features a leather wrapped steering wheel and cruise control.

Our road test car was the Suzuki Kizashi XL sedan, fitted with the optional automatic transmission. It is priced from $$30,490* (manual is $2,500 less).

For this road test, we covered 868 kms on a drive between Melbourne and Albury, including some suburban motoring in Melbourne.

On the road we enjoyed the powerful performance, although a little 'torque steer' was experienced under strong acceleration from a standing start on a number of occasions. But the Kizashi is a delightful car to drive. Inside the car, the designers have managed to package up everything so that the occupants have quite a decent amount of space for a car in this market segment. Front seats feature nice bolsters, but no lumbar support. There are good sized 'pockets' on the front door trims. Good legroom is provided for the back seat passengers. The boot space is quite useful too (461 litres).

For folks wanting more for their Kizashi, the "XLS" version features 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, 10-way power operated driver's seat with memory, 4-way power operated front passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, 10-speaker 425 watt AM/FM/CD Rockford Fosgate audio system, sunroof, photochromatic interior rear view mirror, leather upholstery, self-levelling High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and parking assist sensor system (front and rear).

It's the aforementioned value proposition which will ensure the Suzuki Kizashi makes an immediate impression on the Australian new car market. Not only is the car priced well, it is a particularly well presented sedan with good road manners together with a comfortable and roomy interior. Suzuki has done it again, providing a desirable vehicle with good value!

NOTE: * MLP (manufacturer's list price) excludes options, dealer delivery fees and the various statutory charges. Additionally, prices and specifications are always subject to change without notice.

The Suzuki Alto has just gained an added lead on its rivals with a 2.2 per cent improvement to its official fuel economy figure.

This adds to its credits earned with NRMA, judging it the least expensive car to own and operate amongst a field of over 600 vehicles.

The addition of new low-rolling resistance tyres sees the manual Alto's combined fuel economy drop to 4.7 litres per 100km, with CO2 emissions also falling by almost 3 per cent to 110 grams per km.

The automatic model scores a 3.9 per cent improvement on economy to 5.3 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions fall to 126 grams per km.

"Alto is without doubt one of the best value car choices on the market and this economy upgrade is the added proof," said Suzuki Australia general manager, Tony Devers.

"It ranks amongst the greenest vehicles on the planet and has a starting price almost three times less than that of any hybrid vehicle. It is the practical, quality, low-running cost vehicle that also offers great performance, high levels of safety and now even better fuel economy.

The Suzuki Alto GL is priced from $12,490 drive away and the GLX model from $12,990 drive away.

Australia has a new budget beating champion with the Suzuki Alto judged the least expensive car to own and operate in the annual survey conducted by NRMA Motoring & Services.

Based on average car operating costs over a five year period, the Alto GL ranked first amongst all vehicles with a weekly outlay of just $88.82 - almost ten dollars clear of its nearest rival.

With a drive away price of only $12,490, outstanding fuel efficiency of just 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres and low servicing costs, the NRMA survey confirms Suzuki Alto as one of the best value cars on the market.

Its average weekly fuel bill was calculated at $21.14 per week and its overall cost per kilometre a mere 31 cents - taking into account purchase price, depreciation, petrol prices, maintenance and service.

The iconic Suzuki Jimny Sierra also took out top honours in the competitive Compact SUV segment, with an average cost of $127.40 a week to run.

In comparison, the state average for motorists was $183 a week.
"The Suzuki mantra of providing quality, reliable and value-packed products couldn't be more evident than in these two award-winning vehicles. We are extremely proud of this recognition by NRMA," said Suzuki Australia general manager, Tony Devers.
"Alto offers consumers the right choice. It was engineered on the basis that people could choose a practical, quality, low-running cost vehicle that also offers great performance, high levels of safety and outstanding fuel economy.
"And Jimny Sierra - the original rugged 4x4 - remains the most affordable four-wheel drive in the country."
The NRMA survey is Australia's most authoritative, comparing more than 600 cars on all key cost factors.
A full listing of Australia's most economical to run cars car be seen at www.mynrma.com.au.