The Great And Strong Cars Of Suzuki Equator Quay Concept

Suzuki Equator Quay Concept

Suzuki Equator Quay Concept

Suzuki Equator Quay Concept

Suzuki Equator Quay Concept

The Sporty Cars Of Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 Concept

Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 Concept

Both on- and Maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds with the 2WD V-6 Sport Package. Available wheel/tire packages include "rugged-trail" P265/75R16s on 16-inch off-road-style wheels and "long trail" P265/65R17s on 17-inch wheels. Front suspension is steel double-wishbones, and the rear solid axle uses long-travel overslung leaf springs.

Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 Concept
The Equator's long 125.9-inch wheelbase contributes to comfort and stability, while its 206.6-inch overall length (Extended Cab or Crew Cab with standard bed) provides a good balance of maneuverability and utility. Available for serious off-road duty is a comprehensive system with four-wheel active limited-slip traction control, an electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Descent and Hill Hold Control. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual (standard with the four-cylinder only) or a five-speed electronically controlled automatic, with or without available shift-on-the-fly 4WD with an electronically controlled part-time two-speed transfer case. of torque, while an optional 4.0-liter DOHC aluminum block V-6 ups the ante to a more robust 261 hp and 281 lb.-ft.

Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 Concept
Standard engine is a 2.5-liter DOHC four good for 152 hp and 171 lb.-ft. The available Premium, Sport and RMZ-4 packages include cruise control, power mirrors, locks and windows and remote keyless entry, while a Sport package adds eight-speaker-plus-subwoofer Rockford-Fosgate audio with steering wheel controls, a six-CD changer, XM Satellite Radio, an auxiliary input jack, wireless Bluetooth and, on the Crew Cab RMZ-4, even a factory moonroof. Among the handy convenience features are a dual glove box with lock, a center console box with a 12-volt power outlet, additional power points and cupholders and storage for one-liter bottles in the front doors. Extended Cabs and Crew Cabs have a fold-flat front passenger seat and flip-up rear seats with removable storage boxes underneath. The somewhat Spartan interior tries hard to strike a balance between car comfort and truck function.

Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 Concept
Of course, the wide range of available accessories includes specialized bed components for securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV a relatively simple task. Extended Cab and Crew Cab models offer an available "high-utility" bed with a spray-on bedliner and a cleverly useful tie-down system with adjustable tracks. A set of unique Suzuki styling elements-including the hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate-differentiate Equators from their Nissan Frontier cousins. Beyond that, very few of today's pickup alternatives are fuel-efficient compact or midsize, and this very competitive new Suzuki Equator line provides another set of excellent choices. It's available for 2009 in Extended and Crew Cab, short- and long-bed and rear- or four-wheel-drive (4WD) variations.

Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 Concept
Suzuki says this new Equator, developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America-and named "4X4 of the Year" by 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine-offers a well-rounded blend of comfort, style, utility and off-road capability, and we can't argue. Come to think of it, why has Suzuki, known better to most Americans for its motorcycles, ATVs and boat motors than for its cars, brought a new pickup to market at all? truck sales were tanking due to high gas prices? Why has small-but-growing Japanese automaker Suzuki brought a new midsize pickup truck to market just as U.S.

Trendy And Elegant Cars Of Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Suzuki is also leaving on the table the possibility of future hybrid and clean diesel versions of the car. Under the bulging hood, the concept adopts a 300 horsepower naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V-6 that is teamed with a paddle-shift six-speed automatic gearbox and uses an Advanced i-AWD (All-Wheel Drive) system that is the beneficiary of the company’s success in racing. Kizashi is Suzuki’s first glance at the third phase in their ‘Way of Life’ global strategy, which started in 2004 with the launch of the first tagline, which was ‘sportiness’. That’s further emphasized by Kizashi 3’s wide track, muscular stance and, at the very least, the image of upscale performance. The oversized, 21 inch aftermarket wheels add plenty of style, though the huge brake rotors partially hidden behind the spokes communicate an underlying athletic theme Suzuki was seeking.

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

In attractive silver paint, a somewhat Audi-inspired, large metallic crosshatch grille and a wide and muscular stance, this concept looks to be all business. In Japanese Kizashi translates to something like “foretaste.” With the bold-looking Kizashi 3, the first attempt by Suzuki to take on the midsize car market is a serious look at what the future may hold. The typically economy car producing company already has plans for a Nissan Frontier-based truck and judging by recent marketing ads is attempting to remake the image of their SX4 as a viable Mini alternative. Vince Vaughn quoting aside, Suzuki’s all out offensive into previously unthinkable areas of auto making continues with the third concept in their latest series of prototypes; the 2009 Kizashi 3.

Super Cars Of Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

Suzuki SXForce Concept

The Cute And Luxury Cars Of Suzuki Splash

Suzuki Splash

Suzuki Splash

Suzuki Splash

Suzuki Splash

Suzuki Splash

Volvo Releases initials details for new plug-in hybrid due in 2012

　
Volvo is teaming up with Swedish energy utility Vattenfall to create a new plug-in hybrid. The automaker claims a new diesel/electric vehicle will emerge from the partnership and hit the market in 2012.

The two companies began working together over two years ago to explore the technology that makes plug-in vehicles a reality. In conducting research, the two companies agree that these autos are not only better for the environment, but have the potential to create many new jobs with the introduction of a supporting infrastructure.












Source:Volvo via World Car Fans


Press Release

Unique co-operation on environmental cars

Volvo Cars and Vattenfall to develop new plug-in hybrid

A Volvo that can be fuelled with electricity from a standard wall socket will be a reality in 2012. Swedish energy company Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation are launching an industrial joint venture partnership to introduce plug-in hybrids on the market. The ground-breaking technology will considerably lower the environmental impact from traffic. In addition, owning a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be convenient since you can fuel up at home and fuel costs are significantly lower.

In January 2007, the Volvo Car Corporation and Vattenfall launched a joint project with the aim of testing and developing plug-in technology. Now their cooperation is being taken to the next level.

"We are investing in an industrial joint venture to series-produce plug-in hybrid cars in Sweden in 2012, cars that can be powered by both electricity and diesel. This is an important business development for us and our partnership with Vattenfall allows us to take a giant step toward offering our customers cars with an even smaller environmental footprint," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation.

Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation believe that series production of plug-in hybrid cars and the development of infrastructure can generate new jobs and help Sweden maintain its position at the cutting edge of advanced pro-environmental technology.

The car can be charged at home

One of the major benefits of plug-in hybrids is that they can be charged from a regular household wall socket.

"We want to reinforce electricity's importance in society and its key role in solving climate issues. Through this cooperation we hope to be able to speed up the introduction of electric cars. Together we are developing the next-generation technology based on plug-in cars and various charging alternatives," says Lars G Josefsson, President and CEO of Vattenfall.

The development of the cars is being carried out and financed jointly by the two companies. The Volvo Car Corporation will manufacture the cars and Vattenfall will develop charging systems and supply the cars with electricity.

Innovative environmental technology

Electricity is very well-suited as a power source for cars. An electric motor has a high efficiency rating and consumes roughly one-fifth the energy needed to power an engine that runs on fossil fuels. The purchase price of the plug-in hybrids will be higher than that of cars with conventional technology. Batteries are still expensive but with the car running on electricity, its fuel costs will be cut to roughly one-third compared with diesel power.

Vattenfall will offer customers the opportunity to sign an agreement for renewable electricity sourced specifically from windpower or hydropower, as an alternative to the regular mix of electricity sources. Lars G Josefsson sees many benefits from chargeable plug-in hybrids, even in cases where the electricity does not come from renewable energy sources.

"Through electric power, we avoid the emissions from each individual car. Instead of petrol or diesel, the energy is derived from a few large power sources and Vattenfall is working hard to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from all electricity production. In Sweden, virtually all Vattenfall's electricity production is emission-free," explains Lars G Josefsson.

The plug-in hybrid cars will be driven by a powerful electric motor fuelled by a lithium-ion battery. The battery takes about five hours to charge from a standard wall socket, and the battery is also charged every time the car's brakes are applied.

"Most car journeys are short trips, for instance to and from work. We will be able to offer a product that fulfils this transportation need. In order to cover longer distances as well, the car will also be equipped with one of Volvo's fuel-efficient diesel engines," says Stephen Odell.

Demonstration cars on show this summer

In the summer of 2009, three Volvo V70 demonstration cars will be presented. The demonstration cars will be used to gather information about the wishes and demands that drivers may have on the new technology, to determine their driving habits and to establish how they want to charge their cars. Vattenfall will, among other things, test various concepts for high-speed home charging and also for charging stations in public places, where owners pay to fuel with electricity instead of petrol or diesel. The cars that are planned to go into series production in 2012 will feature somewhat different technology, but the launch of the demonstration vehicles is a step towards series-producing plug-in hybrid cars specifically tailored to market needs.

Toyota's hybrid Supra successor on track for 2011

With all the rumors and anticipation surrounding Toyota's joint venture with Subaru to produce a front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe, the automaker's Supra successor has been put on the news cycle's back-burner.


However, according to a report by Best Car, development has continued in earnest since the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car Concept debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 and a prototype will supposedly begin making the rounds later this year.


While details are still limited, several sources are suggesting the rear-wheel drive sports car will be offered with a 3.5-liter V6 and the Lexus GS450h's 2GR-VSE 3.5-liter V6 which will be paired with the Toyota's Crown hybrid system. While the current 3.5-liter V6 only produces 268 hp and 248 lb-ft or torque, the Crown's hybrid system could enable the Lexus' V6 to produce more than 400 hp.


If Best Car's report is to be believed, we could see the next iteration of the FT-HS concept at the Tokyo Motor Show this November, with the production model debuting sometime in 2010 before its on-sale date the following year.

Compact hybrid Range Rover LRX gets green light

According to the report, Land Rover will borrow liberally from corporate partner Jaguar's hardware stable, which is rumored to soon include both hybrid and extended-range EV options. Land Rover's innovative electric drive rear axle is supposedly on the LRX menu, which would work along with the automaker's well-known and highly-effective Terrain Response System to put power to the ground wherever possible.


If there's any truth to these rumors, we shouldn't expect Land Rover to have the hybrid LRX in production until at least two years have passed. In the meantime, the British-built, Indian-owned automaker is set to debut stop/start and regenerative braking on all of its models to improve their environmental performance.


Automakers that hope to continue doing business over the next few years need to be increasingly aware of their fuel consumption, emissions and environmental credibility. In deference to this fact, Auto Express in the U.K. is reporting that Land Rover is moving forward with plans to launch the new LRX compact hybrid 'ute, possibly with a bit of help from the U.K. government.

Elegant Cars Of Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto

Low tax and cheap insurance, we're finding plenty of ticked boxes, and Predicting a few raised eyebrows among readers, consider how affordable St Lucia now looks (and if nothing else, the autos massive pleading eyes). In short (and indeed, compact), the Alto really is an effortless little package. As the modest 1.2 litre engine will honour your padded wallet, you'll also be comforted by its merciful relationship with Mother Nature.

Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto

Whilst it won't slaughter the motorway, its handling is by no means demanding, and given the right attention, can zip along with the best of them. Whilst optimistic in the leg room department, you certainly won't feel threatened by country lanes, and despite just falling short of 'babe magnet', the lego toy aesthetic makes it lovable to even the most macho of hearts. Not too cramped for your Great Dane, but snug enough to be the reverse parker's dream, there's a cheekiness about this car that frankly, we can't help applauding. Whilst the so-called 'aerodynamic' body is not exactly the essence of cosmopolitan, its petite frame is admittedly, a little bit charming.

Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto

Whilst its purpose is fairly straightforward, there exists in the Alto a touch of charisma that neglects the spiritless nature of other cars. But whilst all too easy to scoff at the dinky motor, the junior of the Suzuki family absurdly defends the myth that good things come in small packages. Sincerely empathising that this little digit isn't the kind of Holy model made for sleepless nights, we're reluctant to go on. Efficient, dependable, affordable; we're yawning already.