SX4 for the US Shore: Suzuki will bring crossover to North America

Suzuki Motor Corp. unveiled its SX4 small crossover here and announced that it will launch the Hungary-built vehicle in North America in September, wooing buyers with a flexible three-mode drive system.

The drive system allows drivers to switch between 2-wheel drive, automatic 4-wheel drive that adjusts to front-wheel slippage, and locked-in 4-wheel drive. In addition, the system automatically locks into 4-wheel drive at speeds over 36 mph.

Other features will be independent MacPherson struts, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, fold-flat rear seats and a keyless-start system. Electronic stability control is optional.

Suzuki offers a 1.5-liter dual overhead cam, 4-cylinder base gasoline engine, and a 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing. It will offer a 1.9-liter turbodiesel in Europe.

A Suzuki spokesman said price will be competitive with other compact hatchbacks on the market.

A joint design project between Suzuki and Italdesign, the SX4 will be built in Suzuki's Esztergom, Hungary, plant, alongside a sibling vehicle, the Fiat Sedici. The companies developed the vehicles cooperatively.

Suzuki says it expects to build about 40,000 SX4s annually, but has not announced a U.S. sales target.
Source: © autoweek.com by Dave Guilford