2005 Suzuki Review

Specifications

Could This Be the Next Grand Vitara?

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) has its afterburners on full thrust. In the course of just three months, it has created two fully operational concept vehicles to display at two of North Americas biggest and most respected autoshows, the large Concept X SUV, and the slightly smaller, but equally impressive Concept X-2 compact SUV.

Aside from Plan 357, the strategy which Suzuki has used to turn around its current product lineup in showrooms across the nation, the Concept X-2 ushers in the Japanese manufacturers new, customer-focused “Way of Life” philosophy.

“Way of Life” according to Suzuki is the way that the brand will develop and market its future cars and sport utility vehicles for its buyers, which the company calls “Life Enthusiasts”. “Life Enthusiasts”, in short, are spirited, adventure-seeking people who live life in the drivers seat. The whole theory behind “Way of Life” is that Suzuki wants to improve the image of its cars; being reliable, safe and efficient just doesnt cut it any more. Modern consumers want excitement, so Suzuki will be injecting its future cars with the same sort of pleasure and joy that Suzuki ATV, motorcycle and marine products have been known to generate.

Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC, contributed to the new philosophy at the X-2s introduction, saying, “Before our designers ever consider specific product design or performance attributes, they are challenged to completely immerse themselves in the lives of the people who will eventually experience our vehicles.” He added, “Instead of contrived solutions, the results are cars and SUVs that outperform their owners expectations, and add real enjoyment and excitement to their lives.” Its a pretty optimistic outlook, but one that could grant the success Suzuki needs, if executed properly.

The X-2 Concept falls into the compact SUV segment, an area that Suzuki is very familiar with. It essentially created the modern compact SUV segment, bringing go-anywhere toughness with affordability in the short-wheelbase Samurai, and later on, through the Sidekick, Vitara, Grand Vitara and XL-7. Since Suzukis early days in the SUV business, almost every rival manufacturer has entered the compact SUV segment, but the majority have traded off-road performance for civility and refinement with car-based designs, and electronically-controlled four- or all-wheel drive systems. The Concept X-2 draws on Suzukis SUV know-how, to deliver authentic 4×4 capability without compromise.

Like most soft-roaders such as the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, the Concept X-2 uses unibody construction, but one specifically designed for off-road use. Inside the rigid monocoque chassis is a built-in ladder frame construction, much like the system featured in the advanced (and much more expensive) Land Rover LR3. The combination of the two brings the best from both the off-road and on-road world, allowing the X-2 Concept to tow heavier loads and perform better off-road, without having the traditional high center of gravity, weak body structure and questionable road holding.

Into the X-2s high-strength, bionic frame are proper off-roading components, of the same caliber as some of the worlds best 4×4s. Full-time four-wheel drive is aided by a transfer case with three traction modes, including high-range, high-range lock, low-range lock and neutral, as well as a locking center differential. The X-2 rides on a four-wheel independent suspension, tuned to improve road-holding and handling, an area which its products have always been lacking in. Aside form Suzukis own products, compact SUVs with 4×4 capable running gear - traditional or otherwise - have been oddly absent from the scene.

Powering the Concept X-2 is a high output aluminum alloy DOHC V6. Suzuki estimates that the projected output of this motor is 185-horsepower, which, I estimate to be 2.5 liters. The engine drives all four wheels through the 4WD system, but before it reaches the road, it passes through a five-speed automatic gearbox with manual shift function mode. While torque figures and the vehicles curb weight have yet to be released, the Concept X should be among the best in its class in terms of performance.

Compared to its bigger brother, the Concept X, the Concept X-2 is smaller and less radically styled. Its nose is simple, with Mitsubishi-like headlamps, and a trapezoidal grille that features a four-bar polished metal grille, similar in appearance to the new Range Rover Sport. Near the base of the steeply raked windshield are ventilation slats on the hoods leading most edge, a neat detail that is reminiscent of gills. The lower half of the bumper has a silver plastic guard, with several slats for improved ventilation. Around the side, the X-2s muscular fenders, with plump arches, are filled with 18-inch five-spoke OZ alloy wheels wrapped in 225/55 R 18 all-season rubber.

Interestingly, the X-2 differs from curvy, jellybean compact SUVs with a flat roofline. The mid and rear sections of the car use angles to create the chiseled tailgate and rear window that trail down and intersect to form the outline of the clear-lensed tail lamps. Squared-off side view mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a spare tire mounted against the tailgate are just a few other details of the cars otherwise plain exterior. An interesting thing to note is that the X-2 features a two-toned paint job; the upper half of the vehicle finished in silver, while the doors, hood and fenders are painted in Mystic Graphite Metallic.

The interior of the Concept X-2 is quite unlike anything Suzuki has ever produced before. Undoubtedly influenced by the 4X4 king, Toyota Land Cruiser, the X-2 has a waterfall center console accented on both sides by silver trim. The console, packed with a three-knob automatic climate control, a 7-speaker AM/FM/XM CD stereo system, and transfer case flows down to the shifter gate for the automatic transmission. The X-2 is also a showcase for a few unexpected luxuries, including heated and perforated leather trimmed seats, HomeLink wireless remote control, and keyless entry.

In the early days of compact SUVs, safety was not nearly as great a concern as it is today. Not only do manufacturers have to worry about frontal and side impacts like passenger cars, but they must also factor in the high center of gravity that these vehicles suffer from. Having learned the hard way with the Samurai, which was hard hit after consumer advocate magazine Consumer Reports experienced instability during testing (see automotive news for March 9, 2004: American Suzuki vs. Consumer Reports Libel Suit Takes Interesting Twist), this Suzuki concept packs a full array of electronic safety nets to ensure that the vehicle remains shiny side up while on the road. Aside from having a lower center of gravity and a wide track, the X-2 also features Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which works together with the cars ABS brakes, traction control and electronic brake force distribution to maintain balance.

Should the inevitable accident occur, the X-2 is built as rigid and as strong as larger SUVs. Its robust frame is supplemented by three-point safety belts for each of its occupants, front and side airbags, plus front and rear curtain windowbags, for a total count of 6 airbags.

Suzukis display of a realistic, near production-ready concept vehicle has many industry analysts believing that the replacement for the aging Vitara/XL-7 will soon be on its way, with the general consensus that GM would be supplying its compact SUV architecture. However, theres one main catch - the X-2 is smaller in length and wheelbase than GMs smallest SUV, the Saturn VUE. The X-2 is 176 inches long, 74.4 inches wide, 66.7 inches tall, and rides on a 103.9-inch wheelbase, with the VUE being 181.3 inches long, 71.5 inches wide, 66.4 inches tall and riding on a 106.6-inch long wheelbase.

Interestingly, the X-2 shows no signs of a direct link to an existing GM architecture, although it does look awfully familiar to the recently introduced Pontiac Torrent in some ways, which of course is a carbon copy of the Chevy Equinox aft of the grille. While the production Suzuki may actually be built on GMs small SUV architecture in the end, the X-2 could very well represent something on the smaller end of the horizon, while the upcoming European-only 7-seat Chevrolet S3X would represent the larger side.

Regardless of what angle or stance you take on the Suzuki Concept X-2 one thing is clear, Suzuki is back on track, backing its bold claims with a prototype thats capable of burying car-based SUVs. The X-2 is exactly the kind of vehicle Suzuki needs, something thats smart, sophisticated, and capable, while still meeting the needs of people with the all-important active lifestyle.