All-New Suzuki

Global Communication Magazine
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
141
Introducing All-New CIAZ / ALIVIO
Across Europe and Asia on V-Strom 1000
IBEX Innovation Award for Suzuki Outboards
and more...
All-New Suzuki
VITARA
The All-New VITARA
Makes Its Debut in Europe
New Products
T
he all-new Vitara embodies a fresh incarnation of the
model’s acclaimed heritage of stylish design,
easy-to-manage dimensions, comfortable on-road and
capable off-road performance. Its smaller dimensions meet
contemporary needs. It incorporates Suzuki’s cutting-edge
ALLGRIP 4WD system. And it enables owners to personalise its
design.
The all-new Vitara goes into production at the Magyar
Suzuki plant in Hungary in early 2015, and will then make its
market debut across Europe. It will later be exported around
the world as Suzuki’s global compact SUV.
The performance benefits of ALLGRIP
The newest generation of Suzuki’s
renowned 4WD technologies, ALLGRIP
delivers driving pleasure and peace of
mind in diverse conditions while promoting fuel economy. Four driver-selectable
drive modes – auto, sport, snow, and lock – enable optimal control
to match road and driving conditions. A new feed-forward
function introduced on the Vitara adds the ability to predict
front-wheelspin risks and send more torque to the rear wheels
before it occurs.
Exterior and interior design
The strong look of the Vitara’s exterior design expresses Suzuki’s
SUV styling heritage in high fashion. Its coordinated interior
design also communicates SUV toughness with interior
appointments giving it a youthful, sporty look.
Personalisation enables owners to express themselves
The Vitara is designed with personalisation in mind. Owners can
choose
from
14
body-colour
possibilities, combine a range of
exterior and interior items, and also
order an accessory package to
express their individual personalities.
Advanced safety features
The Vitara’s active safety equipment includes a Radar Brake
Support (RBS) system that employs millimetre-wave radar to
monitor the automobile in front and help prevent collisions or
mitigate the damage in the event of an unavoidable collision. The
All-new Vitara:
First European Media Road Test
Opinion-leading auto journalists from 15 European countries
were invited to the Côte d’Azur (in southern France) at the
end of November to be the very first to test-drive Suzuki’s
all-new global compact SUV. Following a presentation outlining the new model’s key features, the journalists took to the
streets along a fixed route in the scenic area around Nice.
Overall, the media reviews and feedback were very
positive. Praise was received for the new Vitara’s stylish
design, extensive customization options, driving performance, comfort and low fuel consumption. All in all it was
perceived as a “highly capable entrant to the fought-over
compact SUV segment.”
Vitara’s adaptive cruise control (ACC)
system makes driving easier and
more relaxing. The system uses the
millimetre-wave radar to measure the
distance to the preceding vehicle, and
it automatically adjusts the Vitara’s
speed to maintain any of three
driver-selected headway distances.
Superior fuel efficiency
The Vitara is designed to meet contemporary demands for great
fuel economy and environmental performance. A variety of
weight-saving measures combine with evolved powertrain
technologies to conserve fuel.
*The specification may differ according to market.
“Authentic Sedan”
The All-New CIAZ
T
he “Authentic Sedan”, the all-new Ciaz is a high
competitive entry in the global C segment sedan market.
It combines a roomy comfortable interior, great driving
performance and excellent fuel efficiency in a stylish design
that will inspire pride of ownership.
Suzuki produces Ciaz at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, for
sales in India, as well as for export to the Middle East, Latin
America, and Africa.
The same model under the name ALIVIO(Chinese name:
“Qi Yue”) has been produced in China.
advanced features aimed at satisfying a wide range of customer
demands.
Sporty and elegant exterior design
The exterior design of the Ciaz brings together aerodynamic
styling, sporty good looks that convey a feeling of driving
pleasure, and a stunning elegance that surpasses other
C-segment sedans.
Roomy and comfortable cabin
The Ciaz offers ample space for the driver, as well as all passengers in the front and rear seats. Its refined interior design
enhances driving comfort and pleasure, while including numerous
Excellent Driving Performance
The refined 1.4-litre K14B petrol engine,
optimised suspension system, aerodynamic and lightweight body design, and
other design features deliver a driving
experience that is both dynamic and
stable, while achieving class-leading levels
of fuel efficiency.
Highly successful Ciaz test drive event
in Jaipur
Maruti Suzuki hosted a pre-launch test drive of the Ciaz for
members of the media on 2nd September 2014 in Jaipur. This
preceded the official launch in India on 6th October 2014. Over 65
journalists representing leading auto magazines, print publications and electronic news publications participated. Their
feedback was highly positive, with praise going to the exterior and
interior styling, as well as overall performance of the vehicle.
A number of the journalists posted their positive reactions on
Twitter immediately following the test drive. A few examples
include:
“[I liked the] high quality feel of the design”
“Striking design, especially rear 3/4 angle”
“Space, comfort and the cabin’s luxury aspect are of a tall order.”
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
2/3
Peterborough
Hamamatsu
From Peterborough to Hamamatsu
Across Europe and
Asia on the V-Strom 1000
Five months and almost 25,000km. From Peterborough, through Europe and Asia,
via Turkmenistan and Mongolia to Japan. A rugged road test for the V-Strom 1000.
F
rom
Bike
magazine’s
home
in
Peterborough, U.K., to the V-Strom’s
birthplace in Hamamatsu, Japan, three
intrepid and experienced riders took the rugged
Suzuki bike on a 25,000 kilometre adventure. The
magazine termed this ride “Bike’s most ambitious
road test ever.” Editor Hugo Wilson led off the
journey, riding the European leg from Peterborough,
site of Britain’s largest bike rally, across to
Rotterdam, through Switzerland, Italy, the Balkans
and Greece before handing off the keys to Jamie
Duncan in Istanbul. Duncan then stayed in the
saddle across Asia until the V-Strom 1000 arrived
on the Japan Sea coast where former Bike editor
and freelance writer John Westlake guided the
well-traveled but still strong motorcycle through
Japan’s towns and cities arriving at the Suzuki
R&D Centre to the cheering of hundreds of Suzuki
Family members.
During the trip the Suzuki V-Strom 1000
proved its mettle on every surface, terrain and in
urban or wilderness environments, at sea level or
near the top of the world. There was no back-up
crew and none was needed. The European leg
went smoothly with Hugo Wilson successfully
overcoming the challenge of
Rome’s rush hour traffic.
Heading east through Turkey,
Jamie Duncan describes the
sinuous Black Sea back
roads and transits Dagestan,
Chechnya and Kazakhstan
several times crossing into
Russia on his way to what he
describes as “The world’s most desolate road
stop” in Uzbekistan. Spinning out on the gravelly
road in Tajikistan at an elevation approaching
4000 meters, Duncan rights the bike and keeps on
going. Crossing into Mongolia the road surfaces
became even more challenging but the V-Strom
met the tasks well with good traction in sand and
mud. From Mongolia into Russia Duncan begins to
feel that the adventure will come to an end before
long. The road surface along the Trans-Siberian
Highway is fine but the forests of eastern Siberia
seem endless with Vladivostok as the destination
making the road the “World’s Longest Dead End”.
When John Westlake managed to get the
V-Strom off loaded from the ferry from
Vladivostok and then through Japanese customs
he thought the bike looked “majestic and
shagged”. Then he was off on the final leg of the
trip first along the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Through small towns with signs that were
incomprehensible to him to winding mountain
roads to elevated highways where he was riding
along ten stories above the streets, Japan was
one of the most varied driving environments of
any single country on the long journey. But for
the V-Strom 1000 it was home. And as Westlake
pulled into the Suzuki R&D Centre in Hamamatsu
he was impressed when he saw hundreds of
people in Suzuki outfits, waving flags and
welcoming him and his machine to the birthplace
of the bike. The Suzuki V-Strom 1000 proved to be
at home on the streets and highways of Europe,
on the mountains and steppes of central Asia and
in the vast spaces of Mongolia and Siberia. The
Suzuki Family covers the world and is at home in
any environment. But still it was wonderful to be
back in the Suzuki Family’s hometown,
Hamamatsu.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
4/5
Innovation Award for Suzuki Outboards
at 2014 IBEX Show
S
uzuki Marine’s new DF25A/30A four-stroke outboard
motors won the National Marine Manufacturers
Association’s (NMMA) 2014 IBEX Innovation Award for
outboard motors at the International Boat Builder’s Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) held in Tampa, Florida 30th
September to 2nd October.
IBEX Innovation Awards are among the top prizes in the
marine industry, given to new products that demonstrate
distinctive technological advancements and deliver practical, cost-effective customer benefits.
Several distinctive features of the
DF25A/30A were evaluated to earn
the award, especially technologies
to reduce mechanical losses:
- The DF25A/30A roller rocker
arm, adopted for the first time in
its class, and the offset crankshaft.
- The battery-less electronic fuel injec-
1
tion system that offers several
important benefits, including
reliable starting, especially
in colder temperatures, crisp
acceleration and smooth
running.
- The Lean Burn Control
System for improved fuel
economy.
- Weight reduction, part by
part, to achieve the lightest
weight in its class.
- Adoption of direct intake
system and engine cover ventilation, to reduce intake
temperature and increase combustion efficiency.
This is the eighth Innovation Award won by Suzuki
outboards - seven by four-stroke outboards, demonstrating
their advanced technologies.
Suzuki Marine —
Recognizing Excellence
2
Keen Interest in DF200A Events from
Press and Distributors
I
n November 2014, Lake
Geneva - on the border of
France and Switzerland –
was the attractive venue for
several
Suzuki
events
centered on the DF200A,
including the European,
Middle Eastern and African distributor conferences, a press
conference launching the DF200A and a popular DF200A
test-ride event.
The
European
dealership
conference
featured
participation by 20 distributors from 19 countries, while 21
distributors from 20 countries
attended the Middle Eastern
and
African
distributors’
conference. The conferences
provided distributors with
important information and
networking opportunities to
learn from each other and from experts.
At the DF200A launched press conference, 30 media
representatives from all across Europe participated,
showing keen interest in the DF200A.
Following the conferences and press event, participants
enjoyed new DF200A test rides that created great
excitement among the guests, who were impressed by the
high power and quiet running of the DF200A.
3
Suzuki Outboards 50th Anniversary
Photo Contest Winners
T
he final winners of Suzuki Outboards 50th Anniversary
Photo Contest - “Suzuki Global Adventure - Illustrating
the Suzuki Marine Way of Life!” were announced at the
Yokohama Japan International Boat Show on 5th March.
These photos will be featured throughout the year on
Suzuki’s web page, in catalogues and at various events.
The Grand Prize winner was “One ride to paradise” of
New Caledonia and the three Awards for Excellence went to
“Suzuki Sunset” of Sweden, “Doing it the Mozambiquean
way” of South Africa and “Feel so nice with Suzuki outboard!”
of Japan. Over 150 entries from 21 countries showing the
wide diversity of outboard motorboating around the world
gave a vibrant illustration of the vigor of the Suzuki Marine
Way of Life! Each participating distributor also chose two
winners from among their submissions for Distributors
Awards. These were then sent forward to compete for the
final prizes.
During Suzuki Outboards 50th Anniversary there will also
be a number of other events such as Suzuki’s Clean-up the
World Campaign, the 50th Anniversary memorial exhibition
at Suzuki Plaza and a fishing tournament. 2015 will be a year
for Suzuki Family members around the world to reflect on
Suzuki’s outstanding history and to commit ourselves to
even more success in the future.
Award for Excellence:
Suzuki Sunset (Sweden)
Award for Excellence:
Doing it the Mozambiquean way (South Africa)
Award for Excellence:
Feel so nice with Suzuki outboard! (Japan)
Grand Prize:
One ride to paradise (New Caledonia)
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
6/7
2014 AFF Suzuki Cup
Kicks ASEAN Fans
into High Gear
Since 2008 Suzuki, as the title sponsor of the
AFF Suzuki Cup, has been the prime mover
for spreading the popularity of football in the
11 nations that compete for the Suzuki Cup.
T
he excitement of the 2014 AFF (ASEAN
Football Federation) Suzuki Cup reached
a new height in the final minutes of the
match between Malaysia and Thailand
on 20th December. With a 2-0 lead coming out of
their victory in the first leg of the contest with
Malaysia, the Thai War Elephants were stunned when
Malaysia pulled even with 2 goals in the first half of the
second leg in Kuala Lumpur.
The Thai side was further wounded when Malaysian
star Safiq Rahim put Malaysia ahead. But the experienced
Malay team was tiring and the youthful Thai’s were not
finished. With a goal from Charyl Chappuis, the War
Elephants tied the aggregate score and then went ahead
with a thrilling late game goal by Chanathip Songkrasin,
tournament MVP. When the Thai team arrived in Bangkok
the next day, thousands and thousands of fans lined the route from the
airport to downtown, crowding
overpasses and curbsides to cheer on
the heroes.
Football is now firmly established
and growing in popularity throughout Southeast Asia.
SUZUKI, as a title sponsor, had carried out various activities to spread our brand awareness and corporate
message.
During the tournament Suzuki also raised awareness
of football and of the Suzuki brand with a sticker
campaign. Stickers with national flags were given out at
shopping malls and other venues as well as at Suzuki
dealerships throughout the region.
In an attractive area next to the stadium, Suzuki set up
displays that allowed fans to get close and touch the
great products Suzuki has in ASEAN. In addition there
were also football-themed attractions that appealed to
visitors and showed the fun and excitement of the
Suzuki Way of Life!
The children joined the opening ceremony of
each game as escorts for the players. As the Suzuki
Cup’s host country, Suzuki Malaysia invited some
orphans to join at the final match. Suzuki Malaysia
had donated a Suzuki APV van to a local orphanage as
one of their CSR activities. At the final game, some of
the children from the orphanage joined as escorts for
the players at the exciting moment when the teams
entered the stadium ready for the final battle.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
8/9
What’s Goin’ On?
SHOWTIME
Suzuki Exhibits at
Indonesian Shows
2014 Indonesia International Motor Show
at Arena Pekan Raya Jakarta
PT. Suzuki Indomobil Motor (SIM), the Indonesian subsidiary
of the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), showed both
production models and reference exhibits in their booth at
the 22nd Indonesia International Motor Show, which was
held in Jakarta from 18th September through 28th
September, 2014.
SIM unveiled the Karimun WagonR GS at the show as a
new variant of the Karimun WagonR compact car, powered by
a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine and featuring a stylish
exterior design and premium black interior.
Executive Vice President of SMC Toshihiro Suzuki said,
“Our new automobile assembly factory located in the
Greenland International Industrial Centre will expand our
production capacity in Indonesia to 250,000 units per year.
In addition to responding to growing demand in Indonesia,
our aim is to also expand exports to surrounding ASEAN
countries and other regions.”
Suzuki also exhibited its DF20A outboard motor on a boat
trailer with the Grand Vitara in order to propose new lifestyle
choices to the visitors.
The Suzuki booth itself featured a new design, a dynamic
“S” motif on the ceiling. It attracted a lot of notice, brought
favourable comments from the visitors.
Indonesia Motorcycle Show 2014 at
Jakarta Convention Centre
PT. Suzuki Indomobil Motor (SIM) used the event to introduce
the new Suzuki Address. The new Suzuki Address features
excellent fuel efficiency, large 20.6L utility box under a
rider’s seat and a variety of the latest technological
innovations that surpass other scooters in its class. These
features make the Address a quality choice for all riding
needs, including use as a daily commuter.
The new Suzuki Address is being built in Indonesia as a
global model that will be exported to several markets in
Europe, Australia, and Japan, as well as the ASEAN countries.
It represents Suzuki’s steadfast desire to make SIM an
important motorcycle export base in the future.
From the stage, Suzuki announced its return in 2015 to
MotoGP. Nobuatsu Aoki, one of the Suzuki MotoGP test riders
and Managing Director Motoo Murakami, were on stage for
the announcement along with the popular Indonesian
INDOPRIX rider Rafid Topan. Together with others they lined
up behind the MotoGP machine, the GSX-RR. Everyone at the
event felt the excitement building for Suzuki’s re-entry this
year to MotoGP.
Suzuki Announces New Models
at INTERMOT 2014
Suzuki Motor Corporation unveiled six new models for
overseas markets and announced its return to MotoGP racing
at the INTERMOT International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bicycle
Fair held in Cologne, Germany from 30th September to 5th
October 2014. With over 200,000 visitors attending, the 50th
edition of this leading international trade fair marked the
highlight of the season for motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts
from around the world.
The new models displayed in the Suzuki booth included
the GSX-S1000/ABS and fully faired GSX-S1000F/ABS street
bikes, GSX-R1000 ABS Supersport bike, V-Strom 650XT ABS
sport adventure tourer, Bandit 1250S sportbike, and the
Address scooter. Also on display was the prototype of the
Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP bike for the 2015 season.
customers interested in compact SUVs.”
New booth design earned a good reputation.
Large-scale multi screens on the wall especially caught the
eyes of visitors.
The ALIVIO Debuts at the
Guangzhou International
Motor Show
Suzuki Motor Corporation displayed the new Alivio (Chinese
name: “Qi Yue”) sedan at the 12th Guangzhou International
Motor Show in China, which ran from 20th November to 29th
November 2014.
Toshihiro Suzuki, Executive Vice
President of SMC shaking hands
with Davide Brivio, Suzuki MotoGP
Team Manager
Suzuki Unveils the
All-New VITARA at the
2014 Paris Motor Show
The 2014 Paris Motor Show, one of the biggest events in the
2014 automotive calendar, was held from 2nd October to 19th
October 2014 under the theme of ‘Automobile and Fashion’.
Suzuki used this opportunity to unveil the all-new Vitara
SUV. At the press conference, Executive Vice President of
SMC Toshihiro Suzuki said, “We believe this new-generation
SUV will not only fascinate Vitara series fans, but also all
Suzuki announced that sales would begin in December,
Executive Vice President Toshihiro Suzuki said, “We consider
China an important market, and are confident the new Alivio
will meet the expectations of our Chinese customers.” The
Alivio is a C segment sedan that features appealing design, a
comfortable cabin, and great driving performance with high
fuel efficiency.
Suzuki Marine also displayed the newly
launched DF30A outboard
motor in the Suzuki
booth as part of
a collaborative
exhibition.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
10/11
What’s Goin’ On?
AUTOMOBILES
Suzuki Italia Teamwork with
Torino Football Club
Memorable Ciaz Launch Event in
Oran, Algeria
Algerian distributor SPA ELSECOM Automobiles (SEA) - which has been selling Suzuki
autos imported from India since 2000 - is
now marketing the New Suzuki Ciaz. About
22 journalists invited to the SEA press event
launching the Ciaz in the city of Oran last
December praised the sporty and elegant
Ciaz design and its advanced features for its
class.
After the press event, the media joined
a 25-km test drive through the city and
along the southern Mediterranean coast.
The smooth, comfortable, stable ride made
a strong impression and the Ciaz attracted
lots of attention during breaks from locals,
who were as eager as the journalists to
photograph the new model.
Last season, Suzuki Italia began sponsoring
the Torino Football Club (FC), to enhance the
Suzuki brand value and recognition in Italy,
where soccer fans are passionate, games are
broadcast weekly and the sport is covered
daily by newspaper and television. At the
stadium now, the Suzuki logo is seen everywhere: on team uniforms, on two Torino FC
special exhibition cars and in photos of new
models on the bench and billboard.
In addition, a Suzuki banner appears on
the Torino FC website; Suzuki Italia invites
Torino FC personnel and fans to dealer
events; and encourages our dealers and
business associates to sponsor special
seats.
It’s FUN, It’s Jimny!!
Popular “Jimny Day” in Brazil
SVB Automotores do Brasil six times a year
coordinates “Jimny Day”, a fan event
exclusively for Jimny owners in Brazil. Each
of the Jimny Days takes place in different
cities offering a beach,
country or resort atmosphere.
It always features an off-road
trail that teaches and tests
the techniques of genuine 4x4
driving, so that owners and
their families can experience
the pleasure of overcoming
radical off-road challenges
together.
The last event, held on 6th
of December, 2014 in Campos
do Jordão attracted more
than 200 Jimnys. The colorful
Jimnys lining up was just spectacular! After
returning from the off-road trail, the Jimny
fans were invited to a special lunch featuring
a rock concert at the Suzuki Lounge.
This season, for the Torino FC official
photo, Suzuki Italia joined the players on the
prestigious turf of the Olympic Stadium in
Turin with the Swift Sport, SX4 S-Cross and
Jimny, images that have appeared widely all
across the internet.
Winning 2014 Season in CRC for
Suzuki Swift Sport
The 2014 China Rally Championship (CRC)
on 1st December ended the Wuyi Section
with absolutely excellent performances by
the Suzuki Swift Sport, including several
wins for the team: fifth place in Group N
(International Group); the championship of
Group N2 (International 1.6L Group) and the
Women’s Rally Championship. The overall
performance of the Suzuki Swift Sport team
has produced championships in all 6
Sections (N2), making Suzuki Swift Sport
the Champion of the Year (N2).
Throughout the racing year, the Suzuki
Swift Sport has been highly acclaimed by
the racing industry and the media for its
outstanding handling performance and
first-rate sporty characteristics. So the
Suzuki team has completed their first year
of challenges with outstanding rewards and
is looking forward to competing in the 2015
circuit!
What’s Goin’ On?
MARINE
PRODUCTS
Suzuki HQ Visit for Danish and
Greenland Affiliates
Late last November, 27 Danish and Greenland dealers, sponsored by Danish distributor Johs Thornam A/S, visited Suzuki Headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan. The Suzuki
affiliates had a wonderful time touring
Suzuki Plaza, the Toyokawa plant and Lake
Hamana. The event created many good
memories for the dealers, strengthening
the ties among the Suzuki Marine members,
Johs Thornam A/S, dealers and Suzuki Motor
Corporation.
Suzuki DF250 Class B WInner in
Endurance 2014
Suzuki Marine Partnership with
Monty Halls
Last October, the World Championship of
Motonáutica for Endurance Class B was
contested for three categories (Boat
Production, S1 and S2), in Barcelona, Spain,
under the organization of Catalan Federation of Motonáutica.
Carlos Santaella, after-sales service
manager of Movilmotors, L.S. -Suzuki
Outboard distributor in Spain - won the
World Championship on board a Graünner 26
powered by a Suzuki DF250 147kW(250PS)
Broadcaster, explorer and marine biologist
Monty Halls is well known for his diving
expeditions, BBC television Great Escape
series, Dive Magazine column and support
for conservation causes. Now, working with
the Humber boatbuilder, Halls has chosen
Suzuki outboards to power the dive boats for
his latest expedition and, in fact, intends to
run Suzuki’s new DF200A model to support
all of his challenging future expeditions.
Halls, who unveiled Suzuki’s new DF200A
models at the recent Southampton Boat
Show and took centre stage at the recent
Dive Show, is clearly destined to be a great
brand ambassador for Suzuki Marine.
engine.
The Championship is open to boats not
more than 8 metres long and emphasizes
speed, so allows propulsion by one or two
outboard or interior engines of up to 294kW
(400PS), in various combinations and
categories. The event attracted 19 crafts
from Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Galicia,
Andalusia and Catalonia, making the
performance an international record for a
competition of this modality.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
12/13
What’s Goin’ On?
MOTORCYCLES
SERT Wins 24 Hours of Le Mans,
the Endurance Finale
Suzuki Gixxer Wins
Prestigious Indian Awards
Defending champions and 13-time winners
of the Endurance FIM World Endurance
Championship, the Suzuki Endurance Racing
Team (SERT), won the final round of the
series at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in
September, ending the 2014 season with a
Suzuki Announces
New Suzuki Asian Challenge
After being launched in the Indian market,
Suzuki’s GSX150 (Gixxer) has received
numerous awards gaining appreciation for
its distinguishing features such as stylish
design as well as excellent driving
performance and fuel economy. As the
result, the model received a number of
media awards including being named Bike of
the Year at the Bloomberg TV Autocar India
Awards, the Bike India Awards 2015, the
CNBC OVERDRIVE AWARD, the ET ZIGWHEEL
AWARD 2015, the NDTV Car and Bike
AWARDS 2015 and BBC Top Gear MAGAZINE
AWARDS 2015.
Gixxer is a flagship model boasting
pioneering styling and sophisticated appearance, combined with exceptional driving
performance and the best fuel economy in its
class. Its sporty appearance embodying
functional beauty is attractive to young
riders. Its light and stiff frame combined
with its newly developed 155cm3 engine
provides the Gixxer with exceptional
running performance with good low-speed
response and smooth acceleration. Gixxer’s
fuel economy ranks at the top among all
155cm3 sporty motorcycles sold in the
Indian market.
Suzuki has announced that it will inaugurate
its own Asian series, the Suzuki Road Racing
Championship in 2015.
The new Suzuki Asian Challenge will run
in conjunction with the FIM Asia Road Racing
Championship and will be run on the Suzuki
FU150. The series will provide a base for a
structured program aimed at discovering and
grooming riders from the Asian region. Yukio
Kagayama, who has become a world
renowned racing rider in races such as the
World Superbike Championship, has been
entrusted to manage the program. Suzuki is
dedicated to building riding talent in the
Asian region by providing experience that will
make it possible for these riders to challenge
world class events.
Kagayama will also entry his team, ”Team
Kagayama Suzuki Asia”, in the Supersports
600cc category. The Suzuki Asian Challenge
champion for 2015 will have a chance to join
his team to challenge the 2016 ARRC with the
GSX-R 600.
stunning display of speed and
consistency.
The riders - Vincent Philippe,
Anthony Delhalle, Erwan Nigon and
reserve rider Damian Cudlin, leaped
from fifth place to second overall,
with the maximum 60 points. The
GSX-R1000-mounted team took the
lead early on and thereafter was
never passed, adding an extra 10
points at each of the eight and
16-hour stages in the race. SERT Team
Manager Dominique Méliand remarked: “It’s
a bit early to talk about 2015 but this win at
the end of the season will open a few doors
for us. We have already received congratulations from Japan!”
Suzuki Donates to
Fight Ebola
The Ebola epidemic ravishing West Africa is
one of the largest and most virulent in history
and has sparked international relief efforts
from around the world. Suzuki Motors and
Liberian partner Chicri Brothers have been
doing their part to help.
In cooperation with the government,
local communities and the Lebanese
community there, they have donated 2 new
Suzuki motorcycles as well as cash.
Chicri Brothers, Inc. has been doing
business in Liberia since 1961 and has always
stood with the people in good years and bad.
Suzuki Motor Corporation and Chicri Brothers
Inc. believe that together we can make the
world a safer and better place for all.
HQ News
1
Leading Awards for the Suzuki Hustler
the S-ENE CHARGE system. Its starter motor uses a belt
drive to restart the engine and realise silent and smooth
restarts.
The Wagon R and Wagon R Stingray minicar for the
Japanese market are the first Suzuki models to adopt this
new technology.
In November last year, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Hustler
minicar (sold only in Japan) won the 2015 Car of the Year
Award presented by the Automotive Researchers’ and
Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC). RJC praised the
Hustler for pioneering “a new genre as a lighthearted mini
SUV” that offers driving performance, appealing colours
and “realises enough comfort for city driving”. Citing the
Hustler as a dream-maker that can be enjoyed with the
family, a companion or alone, RJC concluded: “The deep
insight and freshness of the car were highly valued.”
The all-new Alto built on Suzuki‘s
next-generation lightweight platform
On 22nd December, Suzuki announced the launch of
the all-new Alto minicar in Japan. In addition to its updated
styling, the eighth generation of this popular model adopts
Suzuki’s newly developed platform to achieve a 60kg*1
reduction in weight. This combines with
enhanced powertrain efficiency to
realize fuel consumption of
37.0km/L*2, the lowest among
non-hybrid gasoline vehicles
in Japan*3.
*1 Comparison between the all-new Alto equipped with CVT and conventional Alto Eco.
*2 2WD equipped with CVT using measurements taken in the JC08 test cycle.
*3 Based on Suzuki research in December 2014.
In addition, the Hustler was awarded many other
honours in 2014, including the 2014-2015 Japan
Automotive Hall of Fame car of the year award presented
at the end of October.
Ever since its launch in
January 2014, the Hustler has
appealed to a wide variety
of male and female
customers.
2
SUZUKI GREEN Technologies Achieve
Greater Fuel Efficiency
S-ENE CHARGE maximizes fuel efficiency
S-ENE CHARGE further evolves Suzuki’s fuel-saving
regenerative braking technology to deliver even greater
fuel efficiency. The system combines the use of an ISG
(Integrated Starter Generator) — a generator with a motor
function — and a specially designed
lithium-ion battery to assist the
engine when accelerating. By
taking some of the load off the
engine during acceleration, the
system saves fuel without
sacrificing performance.
The ISG uses deceleration
energy to generate electricity that
charges both the lead-acid
battery and the lithium-ion
battery specially designed for
3
Sales Milestone for the
Award-winning Swift
In August 2014, the Suzuki Swift achieved cumulative
worldwide sales of four million, only nine years and nine
months from its market introduction.
SMC launched the Swift in 2004 as a world strategic
model, demonstrating Suzuki compact car expertise and
dedication to creating sporty, stylish and fun-to-drive
vehicles. First produced and sold in Japan, Swift
production and distribution began in Hungary, India, and
China the following year. Full-model change in 2010 was
followed by production and distribution in Thailand from
March 2012.
Ever since the 2005 launch in India, the Swift has
increased sales, keeping pace with market expansion by
adding diesel variants and sedans. Indian sales account for
approximately half of the four million units, followed by
19% sold in Europe and 11% sold in Japan.
The award-winning Swift - produced in eight
countries- has become popular in more than 140
countries and regions worldwide since its debut.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2015
14/15
We’re Back!
Suzuki is Ready for MotoGP 2015.
SUZUKI FAMILY
English version
Issued date: March 2015
No.141
Published by:
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
300 Takatsuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu-shi,
Japan 432-8611
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