SUZUKI FAMILY

Global Communication Magazine
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
135
New Suzuki 2 Wheelers:
nex, INAZUMA, Hayate, Swish and GSX-R1000
‘Small Cars for a Big Future’ 42nd Tokyo Motor Show
Suzuki Outboard New DF300AP Wins
2012 NMMA Innovation Award
Meet the new leading sport compact.
Distinct look. Sporty ambience.
The New Swift.
“It was love at first sight.”
I’m a fan.
A photo taken at the New Swift test drive event in Moscow.
For a detailed story, please see page 12 of this issue.
SUZUKI FAMILY
English version
Issued date: March 2012
No.135
Published by:
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
300 Takatsuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu City,
Japan 432-8611
Suzuki Family is always happy to hear from our readers. Please send your letter and photo(s) with Suzuki products to:
Suzuki Family Editor
Global Marketing Administration Department
Suzuki Motor Corporation (address shown left)
(Letters and photos sent to us cannot be returned, and may be edited for publication.)
Printed in Japan on recycled paper
Winning members of SERT: (from left)
Daisaku Sakai, Anthony Delhalle,
Dominique Méliand, the team manager, and Vincent Philippe.
and more...
e-Let’s
Swift EV Hybrid: a compact
electric vehicle with an
engine-driven generator
The Swift EV Hybrid, the eco-friendly car, embodies an
evolution of the existing Swift Range Extender. It can cover
the 20−30km typically driven per day in Japan on battery
power alone, and can also extend its range using a compact
658cm3 engine-driven generator. Compared to an electric
vehicle that depends entirely on battery power, its smaller
lithium-ion battery is quicker to charge, weighs less, uses
fewer
and
e e resources,
esou ces, a
d costs less.
ess
Small Cars for a Big Future
The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show
Showcasing environmental
performance and exciting products
The REGINA embodies Suzuki’s vision of a next-generation
global compact car that leverages light weight and superior
aerodynamics to realize excellent fuel efficiency and low
emissions. It’s as light as a minicar (just 730kg), and has a drag
coefficient at least 10% lower than that of current models. As a
result, it achieves fuel economy of at least 32km/L (measured
in the JC08 test cycle)** and CO2 emissions as low as 70g/km
(measured in the New European Driving Cycle)** using an
800cm3 turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine mated to a
continuously variable transmission. An Engine Auto Stop Start
system that regenerates deceleration energy realizes even
further fuel savings.
The Alto Eco is an ultra-efficient city car that achieves fuel
efficiency of over 30.2km/L (measured in the JC08 test
cycle).**
With these new models, Suzuki has used its expertise in
compact cars to make even greater improvements.
** The fuel economy and CO2 emissions were measured under specific test conditions.
They may be different under different weather, road, driving, and maintenance conditions.
Motorcycle exhibit
Evolution of electric drivetrain and
fuel-cell technology
New models for the
Japanese market
*The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show took place from 2 to 11 December 2011 at Tokyo Big Sight.
REGINA: Suzuki’s next-generation
global compact car
Q-concept: two-seat micro mobility
for everyday life
The Q-concept features an entirely new kind of mobility that’s
positioned between conventional motorcycles and cars. With a
2.5-metre overall length and two seats in tandem
configuration, it’s ideal for everyday journeys within a radius of
about 10km. It is more manoeuvrable and takes up much less
parking space than a car, while its cabin is more attractive and
comfortable than a motorcycle.
The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show* served as an excellent platform
to show where Suzuki stands today and where we are heading.
The “small cars for a big future” theme emphasized the key
concepts of superior environmental performance and a perfect
fit for exciting and active lifestyles.
Suzuki offers exciting products worldwide that provide an
enjoyable driving experience. Osamu Honda, Executive Vice
president, Automotive Engineering, said, “Vehicles are a part of
people’s lives all over the world. A vehicle first needs to be
useful, user-friendly, and economic. Suzuki also believes that
it needs to be cars and motorcycles that realize fresh and
vivacious lifestyles.”
Automobile exhibit
BURGMAN Fuel-Cell Scooter
The new Swift Sport is designed as a refined sport compact
and the performance flagship of the Swift series. Following the
model’s introduction in the European market (with production
based in Hungary), production began at the domestic Sagara
plant to support a product
release in Japan.
Alto EEco
Al
Swift Sport
The e-Let’s electric scooter combines zero-emission
environmental performance with the practicality needed for
everyday shopping and commuting. Features include a
high-performance in-wheel motor with regenerative braking
capability, a lithium-ion battery, and an onboard charging
system. Following a year of on-road reliability trials, Suzuki
launched sales of the e-Let’s in Japan on 9 January, 2012. (At
present, it is available only in Japan.)
The BURGMAN Fuel-Cell Scooter combines greatly reduced
CO2 emissions with the everyday practicality of extended
riding range. On-road trials under way in the United Kingdom
and Japan since 2009 made it the first fuel-cell vehicle of any
kind to earn Whole Vehicle Type Approval in the European
Union.
The Suzuki GW250, V-Strom 650 ABS, and GSX-R1000 were
also displayed at the show.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
2/3
New
Products
nex:
the 113cm3 scooter
that’s stirring up a new wind
in the ASEAN market
Capturing a bigger share of a
booming market
Demand for scooters is booming in ASEAN countries. Suzuki
set out to expand its share of the growing market by
developing an unbeatable new kind of 113cm3 scooter: one
that’s easy to ride for anyone in the family and great for
urban commuting. To get ahead of the competition, Suzuki
set the bar higher by designing the new model to be
exceptionally fuel-efficient, light, compact, powerful, and
affordable. As a result, the nex is everything today’s ASEAN
scooter customers need.
Superior performance, handling,
and styling
The nex delivers an impressive 6.9kW of maximum power
together with fuel economy. The engine is exceptionally
efficient thanks to new designs that minimize intake and
exhaust resistance, ensure superior cooling efficiency, and
minimize friction and weight. A particularly impressive
INAZUMA: rider-friendly 250cm3 performance
with an aggressive look
The new 250cm3 INAZUMA is Suzuki’s response to growing
demand for reliable and cost-effective two-wheel mobility.
Unveiled by Suzuki’s British subsidiary at the UK’s biggest
bike event, Motorcycle Live, in November 2011, it offers
rider-friendly performance and fuel efficiency without any
compromise in styling, equipment, or finish quality. Styling
inspired by the groundbreaking B-KING gives the INAZUMA an
aggressive character and a look of speed. A new in-line,
two-cylinder engine with a six-speed transmission delivers
performance that’s especially suited to urban commuting.
Nimble, comfortable handling is assured by a newly designed
semi-double-cradle frame, monoshock rear suspension, front
and rear disc brakes, and a multi function instrument cluster.
Suzuki’s Exciting New Lineup:
INAZUMA, Hayate, Swish
and GSX-R1000
New GSX-R1000: the championship-winning
supersport bike
Suzuki has made a bold new entry into the ASEAN scooter
market with the nex, a 113cm3 model that’s generating
excitement with a combination of high fuel economy, low
weight, compact size, high power, and an attractive price.
Suzuki’s Indonesian subsidiary unveiled the nex to dealers,
journalists and bloggers in Jakarta in December 2011. Everyone
at the event was impressed by the nex’s potential to overtake
the competition in the growing ASEAN market.
Swish (left) and Hayate (right) at the Auto Expo Show
achievement is a piston that’s 8.8% lighter than that of an
earlier Suzuki model with the same bore. The chassis also
reflects new advances: A low seat means anyone can get on
and off easily; a front disc brake helps to produce plenty of
stopping power; and a light frame helps to make the nex
more than 2kg lighter than competing models—a huge
benefit for handling and fuel economy. Plus, the nex has
sleek, richly expressive styling that gives a sense of
sportiness, nimbleness, and quality.
The new 250cm3
INAZUMA motorcycle
Hayate: a dynamic 110cm3 choice for commuters
Swish: a value-packed scooter for young urban adults
Suzuki unveiled the latest generation of the GSX-R1000 at
the North American Suzuki Dealers Meeting in Orlando,
Florida, in October 2011. The meeting was attended by the
press.
The 2012 GSX-R1000’s new features include a
single-sided exhaust system, Brembo monobloc front brake
calipers, a revised engine design that gives more power and
acceleration at mid-range engine speeds, and a weight saving
of more than 2kg over the previous model.
American Suzuki Product Marketing Manager Derek
Schoeberle said: “Once again, Suzuki engineers have raised
the bar in acceleration, braking, and cornering.” The press
response was also very positive. MotorImpress.com
described the new model as “the very best GSX-R1000 ever
produced.”
Suzuki launched the Hayate and the Swish at the Auto Expo
Show in Delhi in January 2012.
The Hayate marks Suzuki’s entry into the Indian market
for 100–110cm3 motorcycles. It has a powerful, fuel-efficient
110cm3 engine. It’s built on a highly robust chassis that
assures excellent handling and stability even during two-up
riding. And it has a sharp, aggressive look that draws on the
latest trends among high-end motorcycles.
The Swish is an exciting new offering for young adults in
urban India. A smart, edgy design makes it a great choice for
discerning couples. A four-stroke 125cm3 engine delivers
plenty of power. And a sleek, aerodynamic shape ensures for
a stylishly smooth ride.
Presentation to the press of the GSX-R1000
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
4/5
Suzuki D
2012 NMMA* F300AP W
Innova ins
tion
Awa
rd!
Revolutionary Integrated Lower Unit
WHERE’S
Suzuki offers the world’s first selective rotation outboard
DF300AP, integrating both regular and counter-rotaion
operations into a single unit.
As the world’s first 220.7kW (300PS) 4-stroke
outboard, Suzuki’s flagship DF300 has been a showcase for Suzuki’s innovative technologies and
designs. Now, setting new standards for innovation,
the new DF300AP has a redesigned lower unit with
the “Suzuki Selective Rotation” system, marking the
first time regular and counter-rotation operations
have been combined into the same light-weight unit.
A two-way water inlet on the newly designed lower unit
accelerates water flow into the cooling system for improved
cooling efficiency.
Suzuki Selective Rotation
In multi-outboard installations on large boats, a counterrotation outboard is usually paired with a regular rotation model
to help keep the boat travelling on even keel, in a straight line.
But the DF300AP’s special counter-rotation gearing in the lower
unit enables the prop to rotate in the opposite direction
eliminating the need for a dedicated counter-rotation outboard.
A special switch activates a circuit inside the engine compartment, to power the counter-rotational propeller. This industry
first utilizes a special integrated unit of gears, shaft and
bearings that operate reliably and efficiently in both regular and
counter-rotation directions.
THE ACTION ?
Two-way Water Inlet
The engine’s cooling system relies on
on water
wate
wa
terr su
sup
supplied
pplied through
dual low water intakes located on the lower unit, a
configuration that increases water flow for greater cooling
efficiency. The forward inlet at the gear case nose delivers a
greater water supply, especially at high speeds. The second
inlet is also positioned lower, for shallow water conditions.
The difference is 101.86mm.
The DF300AP’s redesigned low-drag gear case was developed
to accommodate the new gears required by the Suzuki Selective Rotation system. While increasing gear durability, the new
case has a smoother, more hydrodynamic shape, enabling
movement through the water with lower drag and higher
efficiency.
Regular rotation
Highest drag areas in red show that the new lower unit design
slices through the water with less drag.
Superior Durability
To accommodate Suzuki Selective Rotation, gears in the lower
unit were redesigned
using a stronger alloy,
slightly larger diameters
for greater rigidity and
special heat treatment for
higher durability.
NEW DF300AP
CURRENT DF300
Suzuki subsidiaries raise brand awareness and
expand sales, bringing “Way of Life!” to young markets.
INDIA
CHINA
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
Suzuki Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
Maruti Suzuki India
Continues Network Expansion
Newly Designed Low-Drag Gear Case
Counter-rotation
Suzuki Networks in Asia Growing Steadily
NEW DF300AP
* The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is America’s leading association of marine products manufacturers.
This is the second year in a row and the seventh time overall that Suzuki Marine has won this highly prestigious award for outboard engine excellence.
CURRENT DF300
Water resistance
← High
Low →
Suzuki subsidiary Maruti Suzuki India Limited last fall
opened its 1000th Indian showroom. At the inauguration
ceremony for Comet Motors in Surat, Gujarat on 29
October, Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director of Maruti,
dedicated the facility to customers, remarking “This 1000th
outlet is an important milestone for us and the Indian
automobile industry: a reaffirmation of our faith in the India
growth story. Network expansion is strategic for our
business and we will continue to focus on it.”
As the market leader in India’s automobile industry,
Maruti Suzuki is set to double its sales network in the next
five years. The company already boasts sales offices in 740
cities and service facilities in over 1400.
In addition, Maruti Suzuki continues to enhance the
customer experience through
a unique initiative: upgrading
its three-year-old showrooms
under project ‘Nav Nirman’.
The improvements will make
the buying experience
uniform for customers all
Maruti MD Shinzo Nakanishi cuts the
across the country.
tape for Comet Motors opening.
New Suzuki China Building Signals
Expansion of Mainland Business
The 18 November ceremony
celebrating completion of
the new Suzuki Motor
(China) Investment Co., Ltd.
office building in Shanghai,
China was attended by
Consul-General of Japan
Hiroyasu Izumi, as well as 120 guests from 60 companies.
The new facility houses the first direct sales store for
imported Suzuki automobiles on the Chinese mainland.
The subsidiary dealer’s showroom on the first floor of
the new building, which opened for business on 7 January,
plays an important role in direct customer research, while
serving as a model for future dealerships planned to be
built throughout China.
The second floor houses offices of Suzuki China,
which is poised to expand imported Suzuki vehicle sales all
across the Peoples Republic.
The impressive new building symbolizes the united
determination of Suzuki China employees and dealers to
raise recognition of the Suzuki brand and expand sales of
Suzuki imported vehicles in every way possible.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
6/7
What’s Goin’ On?
SHOWTIME
Delhi Auto Expo 2012 Premieres
Ertiga Compact MPV and
XA-α Concept Compact SUV
Maruti Suzuki India Limited participated at the Delhi Auto Expo
2012, held 5-11 January this year, under the theme “Way of
Life”, expressing Suzuki’s global philosophy of creating products
and services that will delight and enrich customers’ lives. India
has become a major growth market with 2011 passenger
vehicle sales of 2.5 million units, so the show featured exhibits
by about 2,000 companies, including 21 automobile manufacturers, and attracted more than 700,000 visitors.
Suzuki’s exhibit highlighted the global premieres of the
Ertiga compact MPV and a new concept compact SUV, the XA-α
(XA-Alpha), which mark Suzuki’s confident future-oriented foray
into new segments, a move that will help the company retain its
leadership position in the Indian automobile market.
On 5 January, Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director of
Maruti Suzuki India Limited unveiled the XA-α, boldly designed
to appeal to urban youth. The new lifestyle vehicle features
the off-road capabilities of an SUV to handle the toughest
conditions of both city and country driving in trendy forwardlooking style.
MD Nakanishi explained the strategy: “As the Indian market
matures, customers will select their automobiles to fit their
Ertiga
Suzuki Italia S.p.A. Attracts Visitors at
EICMA Motorshow 2011
XA-α
personalities and lifestyles: their ‘Way of Life!’ The XA-α SUV is
an indication of how compact vehicles are driving the big future
for automobiles.”
The next day, Managing Officer & Executive General
Manager Kenichi Ayukawa, of Global Automobile Marketing of
SMC, joined MD Nakanishi to introduce the Ertiga compact MPV.
Powered by a 1.4L petrol
engine and 1.3L diesel
engine, the Ertiga is aimed at
Indian families who like to
travel together and want a
new generation compact
MPV with utility that stands
out from the crowd.
As
GM
Ayukawa
Solio
explained: “The Ertiga is
designed for the dynamic and demanding lifestyles of modern
families: the perfect car to support activities of each family
member’s life, whether urban commuting, everyday suburban
use or long-distance transport for vacations.” Maruti MD
Nakanishi concurred: “With Ertiga, Maruti Suzuki has created a
new segment in India – the
Compact MPV Segment - which
will surely strengthen Maruti
Suzuki’s leadership position in
the industry.”
The Company also displayed
a range of Japanese small cars
from the Suzuki portfolio, including Solio, Palette and MR Wagon,
to assess consumer interest and
response in India.
In addition, Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited
launched two new models for the
Indian market at the show: the
fuel-efficient, light-weight Hayate
compact 110cm3 motorcycle and
the stylish fuel-efficient Swish
125 scooter.
The International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) 2011 show
held 8 – 13 November in Milan – recognized as the world’s
largest – hosted manufacturers from 43 countries who
presented their new models and concept vehicles to over
500,000 visitors. Suzuki Italia S.p.A displayed 51 models – the
entire 2012 line-up including the BURGMAN Fuel Cell prototype
– to demonstrate Suzuki’s continuous innovation and ecological initiative, while five exciting concept models expressed the
Suzuki “Way of Life”.
The Suzuki Italia S.p.A. press conference on the 8th
introduced the new GSX-R1000 and the new V-Strom 650 ABS,
demonstrating Suzuki Motor Corporation’s core values and
market progress. Also highlighting the Suzuki exhibit were the
Alstare and Yoshimura Superbike, the Moto Gp machine, the
GLADIUS Cup winning machine the Fuel Cell prototype and the
five “Way of Life” concept models: the VanVan 125 Marine, the
V-Strom 650 ABS Extreme, the Intruder Ioci, the GSX-R600
Yoshimura and the BURGMAN Golf.
Exhibition riding by the Team 360° thrilled the public with
acrobatic jumps by world record holder Walter Belli and two
other young riders. Outside of the pavilion, Suzuki Italia S.p.A.
organised 1,400 test rides of many models, including the
V-Strom 650 ABS, GSR750, GLADIUS, VanVan 125, BURGMAN 650
Executive, BURGMAN 400, BURGMAN 200 and SIXteen.
Suzuki collected data about 3,500 customers with a personalised gadget given to visitors who authorized its use. In
addition, sales of official Suzuki accessories almost doubled
over last year, totalling about 26.000 € in value.
Suzuki DF20A and DF15A Make
World Debut at Düsseldorf
At the 43rd International Boat Show in Düsseldorf, held 21-29
January 2012, Suzuki Marine’s updated booth was extremely
popular with visitors, who could easily understand Suzuki’s
corporate identity and appreciate the features of the products
on display.
On opening day, Suzuki Marine launched the world premier
of the DF20A and DF15A to the press and the market. The
models impressed visitors with their compact size, best in the
14.7kW(20PS) and 11.0kW(15PS) classes respectively. The
outboards are also the first in their classes to feature
battery-less Electronic Fuel Injection, an original technology
that is effectively combined with Suzuki’s Lean Burn Fuel
Control system. The press, in particular, appraised the
innovative new features very highly.
In addition to the new products presentaion, the Suzuki
Marine booth offered a hands-on concept display where visitors
could experience the total “Suzuki” Brand and explore the
innovative technologies and products, greatly increasing visitor
interest and excitement.
Presentation to the press of the DF20A and DF15A
GSX-R1000
V-Strom 650 ABS
Suzuki Marine booth with new concept design
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
8/9
What’s Goin’ On?
Suzuki Team Wins its 11th
World Endurance Championship
In November, the reigning World-Champion Suzuki
Endurance Racing Team (SERT), under the able management of Dominique Méliand of France, won the 2011 FIM
World Endurance Championship for the eleventh time,
climaxing a season that was exciting from the start.
SERT won the opening round on 17 April, the 24-hour
75th-Anniversary Bol d'Or at Magny Cours in France.
GSX-R1000-mounted riders and reigning world champions
Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray and Anthony Delhalle
crossed the line at the finish with 814 laps completed; six
laps clear of their closest rivals.
At the second round 8-hour race on 21 May at
Albacete in Spain, SERT finished third, despite being given
a stop-go penalty in the opening half of the race. SERT
riders Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray and Daisaku Sakai
battled hard throughout the night session, but couldn’t
quite catch the leaders at the 2am finish, recording a total
of 305 laps. The team held a two-point lead over BMW
going into the third round of the series.
On 31 July, at the third-round 34th Suzuka 8-Hour
race in Japan, Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team made one of
the most-thrilling finishes ever at that circuit: GSX-R1000
riders Yukio Kagayama, Josh Waters and Nobuatsu Aoki
lost by a whisker to the rival FCC TSR Honda, finishing in
second position. Just 38.7 seconds separated the two
teams after eight hours and 217 laps of racing. Meanwhile,
SERT riders Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Daisaku
Sakai finished ninth, after starting 15th, earning eight
points from the race and finishing only six points behind
the then new series leaders BMW Motorrad France 99.
SERT snatched back the lead by finishing second in
the fourth-round Le Mans 24-Hour race in France on 25
September. Lacking regular riders Vincent Philippe and
Freddy Foray due to injuries, the team was piloted by
Anthony Delhalle, Daisaku Sakai and 22-year-old WECclass newcomer Baptiste Guittet, who was drafted in at
the last minute from the Junior Team Suzuki LMS Superstock squad. The exciting and drama-packed race saw
many lead changes, but finished with Suzuki riders only
one lap behind the winners, SRC Kawasaki. SERT’s
GSX-R1000s performed faultlessly throughout.
At the deciding final round on 12 November, the
injury-depleted team of Vincent Philippe, Anthony
Delhalle, Daisaku Sakai and Freddy Foray brought the
GSX-R1000 home in third place overall in the eight-hour
race at Losail, to clinch SERT’s 11th title, ahead of closest
rivals BMW Motorrad France 99, who finished just in front
of the French team in second.
Although the lead had changed hands frequently
during the opening four hours, the Suzuki team made
good use of pit stops and maintained consistent lap times
supported by a faultless performance by the GSX-R1000
Superbike. The tactical performance kept SERT nine points
ahead of the BMW team in the Championship standings.
With less than 50 seconds separating the three top teams,
a well-timed
manoeuvre helped
seal Suzuki’s success
once again at the
top-level of World
Endurance racing.
Final World Championship Points
Pos
Team
Total pts
1
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team
109
2
BMW Motorrad France 99
105
3
YAMAHA France GMT 94 iPhone
76
Suzuki Vehicles Challenge
Tough Himalayan Events
The Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya is one of the world’s
most exciting motorsport events, running for 300km daily
on the highest motor-able road in the world, Khardung la
Pass, at temperatures below -20°C. Last October’s
week-long run through the undulating terrains of the
mighty Western Himalayas was the 13th edition of the
annual event, with over 290 participants and 161 vehicles
(35 bikes, 126 automobiles) covering a total distance of
2000kms over six days.
Suzuki Cars Excel Despite Extreme Conditions:
In the four-wheel competition, Suzuki cars proved their
mettle once again in this toughest of rallies: eight
participating teams were made up of Maruti Suzuki
employees and nine out of ten winning teams were Maruti
Suzuki cars. The R&D division’s Dharampal Jangra and
Shijo Joshua tackled the “Extreme” category in their SX4,
a first for any Maruti
employee. In addition,
four Maruti Suzuki
employee teams won
laurels in SX4 cars
finishing the “Adventure”
category for stock cars.
Suzuki Belgium also
entered two renowned Belgian car journalists in the
exciting event, driving a standard 1.2 Swift. Stéphane
Lemeret is chief editor of “Autotrends”, a leading Belgian
magazine, and Jean Christoph Herminaire is a journalist for
a national newspaper. The pair traversed the roughest
terrains and finished the rally in a respectable position.
Clearly, Suzuki product quality proved outstanding, as
both writers reported in their respective publications.
Their Indian motorsports adventure was well-covered in
other media in Belgium.
Suzuki RMX450Z Biker Wins Trophy for Performance:
Suzuki Motorcycle India’s Suresh Babu participated aboard
a Suzuki RMX450Z motorbike, which performed flawlessly
in the only Indian motorsport event listed on the off-road
rallies calendar of the FIM (Fédération Internationale de
Motocyclisme). Babu finished the
rally in 6th position, the highest
private entry, and was awarded the
prestigious John Mark James trophy
for exceptional performance.
Enthused rider Babu: ”I enjoyed
the rally thoroughly on my Suzuki, which handled like silk
over 5000km of treacherous terrain at such high altitudes
where there is so little oxygen and sub zero temperatures! The Suzuki’s intelligent fuel injection enabled
absolutely trouble-free running throughout, staying in top
three until the penultimate stage, when I lost over an
hour due to a tyre puncture. I look forward in capitalizing
on what we have learned the next year!”
Ramón Ibarra Won Chilean Rally
Championship
Suzuki driver Ramón Ibarra piloted a
Suzuki SX4 Sedan to victory in the
N3 category of finals of the
RallyMobil Motorshow 2011, held
near the La Moneda Palace in the
capital city, Santiago last November.
This is the third title in the category for Ibarra.
Ibarra was crowned champion after a very close race
on the 1,600 metre circuit. For RallyMobil fans, the final N3
series – featuring cars of up to 2,000 cm3 4x2 drive system
- was the most exciting race. The N3 championship was
closely fought between the top two pilots, who started the
final race with only a 1.5 point difference, which attracted
more than 40,000 excited spectators to the event.
Fifty-four pairs of competitors, including 47 foreign
pilots, took to the Alameda track in the event, which was
broadcast on ESPN and followed enthusiastically throughout
Latin America. The circuit course running through Alameda
Bernardo O’Higgins Avenue in front of La Moneda Palace
was highly entertaining for spectators, who could clearly
observe how drivers handled all challenges of the course.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
10/11
AUTOMOBILES
MARINE PRODUCTSS
MOTORCYCLESS
What’s Goin’ On??
European Boat Show Exhibits
Highlight Innovative Suzuki Marine Technology
MARINE PRODUCTS
Twin DF90s Power Challenging
Norway Expedition
Mark Beeley on-board
In July 2011, Suzuki GB PLC’s Marine Area
Sales Manager for the North of England Mark
Beeley joined an expedition of two small
6.3m rib boats fitted with Suzuki twin DF90s
that travelled from Wick, Scotland 1000 miles
across open sea and north up the coast of
Norway well into the Arctic Circle. Suzuki GB
PLC loaned the DF90’s and helped finance
the expedition.
The Suzuki engines performed superbly
throughout the demanding voyage, achieving
excellent average fuel consumption per boat,
even while carrying 1350kg of extra
equipment. The trip, which was covered by
the London Telegraph, demonstrated that the
Suzuki DF90 is by far the leading engine in
the 66.2kW (90PS) class. Organised by the
owner and editor of RIB Magazine, the
expedition also was widely covered in the
boating press.
Joining the expedition was well-known
ocean yacht racer Pete Goss, who was
impressed by the superb reliability of the
DF90s and expressed interest in crossing
from Japan to the UK, through the Northwest
passage, in a small RIB powered by a Suzuki
DF50 or DF70 outboard!
Genova Boat Show
Suzuki Italia participated in the 51st Genova
International Boat Show 1-9 October, with an
almost 500m² booth spotlighting Suzuki
Marine’s message. The entire line-up was
displayed, including two boats directly
distributed by Suzuki Italia and powered by
DF40 and DF90.
Next, during 5-13 November, Movilmotors
represented Suzuki Marine in Spain’s 50th
Barcelona International Boat Show, one of
the oldest in Europe. The Suzuki Marine booth
exhibited a wide range of outboards including
DF300, along with inflatables and boats.
The shows were effective at impressing
visitors with Suzuki’s continuous effort and
commitment to research and development.
Barcelona Boat Show
Movilmotors staff manning the Suzuki Marine booth
Suzuki Solar Boat Team Proves
Itself Again
AUTOMOBILES
Maruti Chairman Receives
Japanese Imperial Honour
On 7 November 2011 at
the Imperial Palace, His
Majesty The Emperor of
Japan conferred The
Order of the Rising Sun,
Gold and Silver Star*
upon Chairman R.C.
Bhargava of Suzuki’s
India subsidiary, Maruti
Suzuki India Limited. Chairman R C Bhargava
The prestigious royal of Maruti Suzuki India
honour recognizes the Chairman’s outstanding contribution to the promotion of economic
relations and mutual understanding between
Japan and India.
TO PICS
Miyakoda team members with Aichi Governor Hideaki
Omura (centre in white shirt)
The all-volunteer Miyakoda Challenge solar
boat team, made up of 15 Suzuki marine and
motor vehicle engineers, again tackled the
Japan Solar & Human Powered Boat Race
2011 on 27 and 28 August in Aichi, Japan. The
team has consecutively won two events in
the last five years of the annual race, which
began in 1989.
In a field of 20 competitors, the team
entered three events with their home-built
solar-powered boat, “White Hawk”, and won
two: the 1hr endurance race and the 200m
speed race. The White Hawk, built of
fibre-reinforced plastic mounted solar panels,
features a hydrofoil wing that lifts the vessel’s
body to reduce water resistance. The efficient
cruise power employing economical electricity
enabled achievement of a target speed of
36km per hour.
“Miyakoda Challenge’s goal next year is
to enter and win all three events, including
the slalom race”, declared team leader
Ryouichi Fujino.
Maruti Suzuki India Limited is the most
successful example of Indian-Japanese
collaboration, and Chairman Bhargava played
a key role in this achievement.
*Japan’s oldest national award, established in 1875
recognizes distinguished contributions by individuals,
either Japanese or non-Japanese.
Swift Takes the Spotlight
in Russia
The campaign attracted over 5,000 visitors,
who enjoyed activities provided for the entire
family. Even the smallest Suzuki guests were
kept entertained, with superhero appearances,
special children’s test drives and face-painting
by make-up experts.
PR Manager Natalia Astafyeva of SUZUKI
MOTOR RUS, noted: “We can say for sure: now
Suzuki has got several thousand real friends
more in Russia!”
In August and September 2011, large-scale
test drives of the Suzuki Swift were held in
five major Russian cities – Yekaterinburg,
Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg and
Moscow. Participants, who could choose from
among many Suzuki Swift grades, tested the
cars under unpredictable and extreme conditions created specifically to highlight the
Swift’s advantages.
New Swift Sport Wows
Journalists at Barcelona Test Drive
Suzuki Yellow Cabs Support Pakistani
Employment Project
From Europe
From Pakistan
At the first exclusive preview in Spain 24-27 October, leading
media representatives from sixteen European countries were
invited to put the new Suzuki Swift Sport through its paces. Around
a hundred automotive industry journalists gathered in the Barcelona area to take part in the event.
The Swift Sport was very well received overall, as journalists
were impressed with the quality construction and handling. “High
Emotion, Low Emissions!” the development slogan of Suzuki’s new
sporty car, was well-represented in many positive press reports.
The Swift Sport was described by the media as a top-of-the-range
performance supermini which, although not ground-breaking, is
significantly more efficient and powerful. As a lively, quality car
offering enjoyable driving and fun, the Swift Sport was even
awarded five out of five stars by one car magazine.
Pakistan’s public sector has demonstrated strong and growing
commitment to Suzuki brand and products. Recently, the government of Punjab ordered 20,000 Suzuki vehicles, including 12,000
Mehrans (0.8L small car) and 8,000 Bolans (0.8L small van),
intended to provide self-employment opportunities to educated
unemployed youth and stimulate growth in the local automobile
industry, as well as provide quality public transport.
The Government of Punjab, in coordination with Pak Suzuki
Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL), will distribute Suzuki yellow cabs to
selected youth over a period of eight months, through PSMCL’s
authorized dealer network. The Government of Punjab has
expressed appreciation for the contributions of PSMCL to realizing
the admirable goals of the valuable self-employment scheme.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
12/13
AUTOMOBILES
MARINE PRODUCTSS
MOTORCYCLESS
What’s Goin’ On??
V-Strom 650 ABS Kicks Off
in Belgium
Suzuki Belgium test campaign distributors with a
V-Strom 650 ABS
MOTORCYCLES
Suzuki Co-sponsors Fox’s
Mini Moto Surf Challenge 2011
Stafford Montgomery, President. (4th from left),
Ricky Carmichael (5th from left) and Ross Montgomery,
GM (4th from right) pose with 2012 RM-Zs and the
Montgomery Motors Team.
The third annual Fox Mini Moto Surf Industry
Challenge, held 1 and 2 December on the
North Shore in Hawaii, invited Fox dealers and
motorcycle/surfing industry guests to an
exciting motocross/surfing challenge.
At the first day’s amateur mini moto on
the HMA Motocross Track, 40 riders showed
their motocross skills on Suzuki DR-Z125
motorcycles provided by Montgomery Motors
Limited, Hawaii’s Suzuki distributor. Amateur
riders were joined by such professionals as
Supercross/Motocross
champions
Ricky
Carmichael and Jeff Emig, wakeboard professionals Parks Bonifay and Rusty Malinoski,
and professional surfer Ian Walsh.
The second day’s Surf Challenge on the
Pool Bar surf break at the Turtle Bay Resort
was equally exciting. Despite high waves, the
surfing contestants carved the waves and did
perfect tail slides.
Suzuki Belgium organised a great incentive for
all distributors who took part in the V-Strom
650 ABS test campaign: a two-day trip last
autumn with their wives on demonstration
bikes to the Mondorf Parc Hotel in the Grand
Duchy of Luxemburg.
The first day’s ride on a twisting route
through the Belgian Ardennes and Luxemburg
concluded with a brief presentation in the hotel
by General Manager Stephane Goeury, followed
by a hearty meal.
Day two included a visit to the nearby
thermal baths and a return ride back to
Belgium. The well-conceived incentive trip
strengthened the bonds with and amongst
Suzuki dealers, while raising enthusiasm for
Suzuki’s new V-Strom 650 ABS to a higher
level.
Suzuki VanVan 125 Crosses
Europe
Weronika on the road with her faithful VanVan 125.
The slogan “To make a dream come true,
because life means adventure” motivated
Weronika Kwapisz’s triumphant 12000km
solo ride across Europe demonstrating
Suzuki’s “Way of Life!” philosophy.
Weronika had longed to see more of
Europe from a motorcycle since her 2008
motorcycle trip to Santa Monica, Italy. Last
year, supported by Suzuki Motor Poland, she
spent 48 days on her motorcycle crossing
Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Italy, France,
Spain, Portugal, Luxemburg, Belgium, Holland
and Germany.
The intrepid rider finished on 23 October,
aided by her Suzuki VanVan 125, a leisure
version of enduro, equipped with an
extremely durable 4-stroke engine. The
8.9kW (12hp) single-cylinder engine proved
sufficient for the 122kg-bike. Remarked
Weronika: “The motorcycle did not disappoint
me, not for a moment, even though it had to
stand a really difficult test. The machine is
capable of a lot, despite its small capacity.”
German Suzuki Dealer Supports
Christmas Campaign for Children
SMIPL Achieves 1M Units of Production
In January, Suzuki Motorcycle India Private
Limited (SMIPL) achieved an accumulated
one million units of production since
beginning operation in February 2006.
From the start, SMIPL has steadily
expanded production at Gurgoan in Haryana
state, first adding the HEAT and Zeus
motorcycles, then initiating the Access
scooter in September 2007 and the GS150R
motorcycle in December 2008. The Zeus was
later changed to the SlingShot model in
August 2010.
At Auto Expo 2012 in January, SMIPL
introduced two new two-wheel models now
in production, the Hayate motorcycle and the
Swish scooter, which have been added to
their line-up. The company plans to expand
its production capacity up to 540,000 units
per year by late this year.
News
HQHQNews
1
Suzuki to Construct New
Automotive Plant in Vietnam
Site of planned
automobile plant
Aware of the plight of needy children in some
areas of Romania and the Ukraine, German
Suzuki dealer Nils Bergmann helped organize
- with Round Table charity - a collection of
Christmas gifts for delivery to hospitals,
children's homes, schools and institutions for
street children in the region.
More than 65,000 packages were lovingly
packed by children in Germany for youngsters
who otherwise would wait in vain for a
Christmas gift. Bergmann himself collected
1,935 packages from Pinneberg’s schools and
kindergartens. In addition, 535 were collected
at a summer closing party of motorcycle riders.
Suzuki International Europe GmbH
provided a company truck that joined 20
others, three coaches and three sprinters in
the delivery convoy to Odessa in Ukraine and
various locations in Romania, where
volunteers distributed the gifts to the children.
2
Suzuki to Launch the
e-Let’s Electric Scooter
Motorcycle plant
Vietnam Suzuki Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s
automobile and motorcycle manufacturing and sales
subsidiary in Vietnam, will construct a new automobile
plant in Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam.
In order to meet developing Vietnamese market
demand in the near future, Vietnam Suzuki Corp. will move
the production of automobiles into a new plant to be
constructed on the site neighboring its new motorcycle
plant in Long Binh Techo Park.
The investment for building the new plant - which is
scheduled to start production in 2013 - will be approximately 1 billion yen. The annual production capacity for
the first year will be 5,000 units, with expansion planned
thereafter.
On 9 January Suzuki Motor Corporation launched its electric
scooter the e-Let’s in the Japanese domestic market. The
e-Let’s boasts enhanced utility features such as a detachable battery, while keeping the user-friendliness of a 50cm3
engine powered scooter.
Developed as an electric scooter featuring low noise,
low vibration, and zero-emission environmental performance, the e-Let’s is intended to familiarize the market with
a practical electric scooter offering unique qualities that will
attract any user.
Based on the Let’s4 Basket, a 50cm3 scooter noted for
user-friendliness, the e-Let’s combines a high-performance
in-wheel motor with regenerative braking capability and a
lithium-ion battery. In addition to the typical smooth
acceleration and nimble performance of an electric
scooter, the new model realizes 2kg less curb weight* than
the Let’s4 Basket.
* The weight of the charger is not included.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
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