All-New 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport Offers Trunkloads of Functionality

BREA, Calif., Aug. 30, 2007; The all-new 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is the automotive cousin to the SX4 Crossover and is designed to ease the day-in, day-out urban grind for its drivers. Sharing a common appeal for those who live a life consistent with Suzuki's "Way of Life" brand philosophy, the four-door SX4 Sport and five-door SX4 Crossover seamlessly blend into varied driving conditions and environments.

With features derived from the highly acclaimed SX4 Crossover, and suspension and steering heavily influenced by the award-winning Suzuki Swift, the all-new 2008 SX4 Sport provides a spirited and responsive driving experience. It comes equipped with a sophisticated 2.0-liter, DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine rated at 143 horsepower. Featuring an aggressive front fascia and grille, muscular and athletic stance, and low, rising waistline, the SX4 Sport makes a visual statement that underscores its on-road performance. With class-leading standard features, including A/C, power windows and locks, four-wheel disc brakes with Bosch ABS, six airbags, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and remote keyless entry, the SX4 Sport is an affordable blend of driving excitement, style and performance.

As with all 2007 Suzuki automobiles, the SX4 Sport is backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

Powertrain

Built in Japan, the SX4 Sport features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission or an available specially tuned four-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter engine delivers 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque with an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg/city and 31 mpg/highway with automatic transmission.

Dynamic Handling

The chassis of the SX4 Sport borrows design elements from the award-winning Suzuki Swift that helped Suzuki earn numerous industry awards worldwide, including many "Car of the Year" trophies in Europe and Asia. The SX4 Sport features a rigid steel unibody underpinned by a confidence-inspiring chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe to provide good stability on the highway along with crisp and responsive handling and braking and minimal body roll. Its rigid structure, along with reinforced suspension mounts, allows the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension to work to their full potential. KYB shock absorbers and standard stabilizer bars enable dynamic handling. The combination of wide track and a large 17-inch wheel-and-tire package help optimize the ride-and-handling balance. The SX4 Sport also features large four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment.

Safety Features

The SX4 Sport offers customers an extensive array of standard safety features. Active safety features include daytime running lights, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Passive safety elements include a safety-reinforced body with front and rear crumple zones designed to help absorb impact energy. The unibody design directs much of the impact energy away from the reinforced cabin area.

Six airbags are standard on the SX4 Sport: driver and front passenger advanced airbags and side-impact airbags; and side curtain airbags designed to provide additional protection for outboard front-and-rear-seat passengers. In addition, the SX4 Sport is fitted with front three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, three-point emergency locking retractor rear seat belts, ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors and a high-mounted stop lamp.

Bold Styling

Suzuki has created a handsome, versatile car with poise and presence far beyond the SX4 Sport's compact size. Using a simple, elegant and flowing form that sits atop a purposeful, dynamic and substantial underlying structure, the SX4 Sport looks as if it is moving even when standing still.

The body features a low, rising waistline and large, triangular-shaped windows forward of the front doors, giving the SX4 Sport a sporty wedge shape indicative of its outstanding dynamic performance. The wide track and strong fender design also add to the appearance of traction and dynamic performance. The design is pure Suzuki in form -- exciting, multi-dimensional and recreational.

While the SX4 Crossover offers a wide-open cargo hold, the SX4 Sport provides generous, secure storage within the confines of an oversized trunk. Whether using the car personally or professionally, owners will enjoy the spacious cargo area, one of the largest in the segment.

Amenity-filled Interior

The stylish design continues inside the SX4 Sport. A functional and high-tech center panel offers large, circular controls flanked by modern aluminum-colored trim. Instruments and controls are backlit by contemporary, high-tech red lighting, and the ergonomic design of the instrument cluster and dashboard provides clear views of the meters and easy access to the controls for a true driver-oriented cabin. The sporty cockpit theme extends throughout the cabin with a dark interior featuring black cloth for a look both sharp and refined.

The handsome integrated center stack contains a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers or an available six-disc in-dash CD AM/FM/MP3 audio system with nine speakers (including subwoofer). Both audio systems are XM Satellite Radio-capable. It is a striking example of function complementing form. Customers who want the convenience of a fully integrated iPod(1) system can purchase a Suzuki iPod interface from their Suzuki dealer. Once the device is plugged in, it works seamlessly through the radio and playlists and each song's information appears on the radio display. Also available on a dealer-installed basis is Suzuki's Bluetooth(R) connectivity option. Equally distinctive in the segment is the availability of SmartPass keyless entry on the Touring trim level.

With seating for five, the SX4 Sport offers utility and style. Wide door openings provide the driver and passengers with superior ease of entry and egress, while the large cabin proportions and in-command seating position optimizes visibility, enhancing driving confidence and control. The efficient interior dimensions provide both driver and passengers with room to relax, and the exterior dimensions provide outstanding maneuverability for crowded city streets and parking areas. The roomy interior offers generous legroom and shoulder room, even for the rear-seat passengers. Interior volumes are equal to or better than volume leaders in the segment, and provide class-leading headroom.

Beyond the generous interior volume is a trunk designed for storage and security. In addition, there are many discreet storage compartments located throughout the cabin, and all the doors feature large pockets and bottle holders for added convenience.

Trim Levels and Packages

The 2008 SX4 Sport comes with two optional packages: Convenience and Touring. The base SX4 Sport's standard features include six airbags (front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags), four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, front seatbelt pretensioners, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels and daytime running lights. The starting MSRP for the SX4 Sport is $14,770 plus $625 destination and handling.

The Convenience Package adds cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, automatic climate control and heated outside mirrors. The starting MSRP for the SX4 with the Convenience Package is $15,270 plus destination and handling. The Touring package adds a six-disc CD player, upgraded audio with nine speakers including subwoofer, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, Electronic Stability Program, traction control system and SmartPass for an additional $1000 ($16,270). An automatic transmission is available for $1,100 on all models.

About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded in 1985 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 530 automotive dealerships in 49 states. Based in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer with sales of more than two million new automobiles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 187 countries. For more information, visit http://www.media.suzukiauto.com/.

(1) iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.