Posts Tagged ‘Suzuki News’

Ohio Technical College students are always modifying something, and there’s a new toy on their list: a 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Known for its tremendous all-around value for families, the Grand Vitara will experience a whole new look this time around. Students will customize the Grand Vitara with a nautical theme, representing the harmony between Suzuki’s automotive and marine divisions.

Some of the exterior modifications to be included on the project are custom paint, massive tires and wheels, lifted suspension, bar side step and bumper, shaved door handle kit, and LED lights all around. The interior is just as impressive, with a DVD head rest entertainment system, refrigerator, back-up camera, surf board rear view mirror, and all weather front and rear floor mats.

The vehicle, which will also have major restructuring on the body to resemble a boat, will be featured at several major auto shows around the country in late 2011 and 2012. This will include Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and New York.

We can’t image what the finished product will look like, and we’re really looking forward to seeing the end result! Read the full article from UTV Weekly and stay tuned for more news on this here and on our Facebook page!

Looking for another new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned vehicles, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi has received praise from virtually every major auto publication since its North American debut, and the popular Suzuki model is now being recognized with one of the highest honors in the industry. J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study revealed the Kizashi outperformed 19 other midsize sedans to earn the highest satisfaction rating in its category.

The 2011 APEAL study was based on more than 73,000 buyers and lessees of new 2011 model year cars and trucks. This award comes as the Kizashi has hit its stride in the market, with sales up more than 55% over last year. With its Autobahn-tuned suspension, traction enhancing AWD system, and a near-luxury level of standard features, the Kizashi is one of the most compelling and affordable midsize offerings on the market today starting at less than $20,000.

This is another great accomplishment for Suzuki, the combination of the J.D. Power and Associates’ APEAL Award and the recent AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award affirms that Suzuki is bringing passion back into the midsize sedan category. We are proud of the Kizashi and this recognition from our owners is a strong testament to the hard work that our engineers, designers, and planners have put into this exciting vehicle. – Steve Younan, director of product planning and marketing, American Suzuki.

Looking for another new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned vehicles, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

Last month, Suzuki held a press conference at the New York Auto Show to reveal two exciting new Kizashi models to better align with American driver needs.

Suzuki’s Associate Director of Public Relations, Jeff Holland, kicked off the conference with some exciting highlights surrounding Suzuki’s past and future. In addition to owning the most affordable all-wheel drive lineup and America’s #1 warranty, it was revealed that Suzuki had just been given a 28% quality rating increase from 2006 to 2010 in the IQS3 report. Suzuki is also the first non-luxury brand to arm its sales force with the powerful iPad tablet, allowing customers and employees to quickly access all information surrounding Suzuki products.

Steve Younan, Suzuki’s Director of Marketing and Product Planning, finished off the conference with the reveal of two new Suzuki concepts: the Kizashi EcoCharge and Kizashi Apex Turbo. The EcoCharge was created for the environmentally minded American driver and includes a 2.0 4-liter gas-electric engine, 115V Lithium-ion battery, and 6-speed automatic transmission. This, coupled with other exterior adjustments results in a  25% increase in fuel economy. The EcoCharge’s counterpart, the Apex Turbo, was designed for the Suzuki enthusiast. It focuses primarily on street performance vs. track performance. The six-speed manual includes a redesigned turbo system for everyday use and a Garrett turbocharger with air-to-liquid intercooler. The result is a powerful experience of up to 300 HP with maximum boost level of 8.5 psi.

We’re excited about these two new models, and encourage you to watch the full press conference below!

Looking for your own quality new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi has received praise from virtually every auto publication, and now it’s receiving a very different kind of recognition.

The Kizashi was just named the Official Safety Car of the Formula 1000 Championship Series. The Suzuki Kizashi Safety Car’s impressive performance and eye-catching graphics will be on display at all F1K Series events and promotions being sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing. It will be towed to the events by a matching Suzuki Equator pickup, rounding out some of the most exciting Suzuki products of the year.

The 2011 Kizashi comes in 11 unique trim levels for a customized experience. The interior delivers plenty of space for the family, and includes features such as dual-zone climate control, LED overhead ambiance lighting, Bluetooth wireless phone integration, and a Rockford Fosgate 425-watt 10-speaker audio system. The performance is where the Kizashi really turns heads – with excellent handling, 4-wheel disc brakes with Akebono components, and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.

The F1K Series is very excited about the Suzuki Kizashi being our Official Safety Car. “Beyond being an outstanding sport sedan, the Kizashi is the perfect car to pace our field, as Suzuki’s GSXR-sourced powerplant is also the preferred engine of the majority of teams running in our Championship. – F1K Managing Director, Jon Lewis

Looking for your own quality new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

With the New York Auto Show in full swing, some wondered if Suzuki would deliver on its innovative new promises.

Halfway through the show, Gas 2.0 reports that we have our answer with the reveal of Suzuki’s latest Kizashi concept, the EcoCharge Hybrid. This concept is a nice addition to the powerful Apex concept, and further illustrates Suzuki’s commitment to innovative, socially-conscious products. This reveal comes with optimal timing, as Americans continue to see fuel prices skyrocket.

The Kizashi EcoCharge Hybrid contains 2 cohesive engines: a 2.0L gas engine and a 15 kw electric motor. The two deliver a combined 144 hp and 127 Ib-ft. of torque. It also features six-speed automatic transmission, stop-start technology, and regenerative breaking. The EcoCharge’s 25% increase in fuel economy from the original Kizashi also presents a tremendous improvement.

The interior features advanced materials which require 84 percent less energy to produce, and the exterior boasts a striking design with a unique white satin paint job and LED foglight illumination. Stay tuned for more news on this vehicle as it rolls out!

Our basic concept was to attain substantial gains in fuel economy without the traditional sacrifices in drivability required with today’s mid-size hybrid sedans. The proof of our concept is that the Kizashi EcoCharge has the capability to deliver a 25 percent fuel economy gain in real-world driving through an electric charge to the powertrain system while still retaining the production Kizashi’s dynamic handling and braking advantages that make it a standout category performer. – Steve Younan, Director of Automotive Marketing and Product Planning for American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Looking for your own quality new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.