Archive for August, 2016
Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Suzuki Vitara Turbo 2WD
Suzuki’s Vitara range has been given some extra spice with the addition of the 1.4 litre BoosterJet turbocharged engine. Available in AllGrip 4WD or front wheel 2WD, it also comes in a range of eye catching colours and subtle differences to the standard Vitara range. A Wheel Thing gets intimate with a fiery metallic orange and black 2WD version of the Suzuki Vitara Turbo.
Think 1.4L engines and you’d be forgiven for thinking that there’d be less pull than oil on an iceblock. Instead there’s a surprisingly useful 220 torques from the BoosterJet powerplant, plus 103 kilowatts. You get a choice of one automatic transmission and that’s a six speed too. It’s a mostly well sorted drivetrain however there’s a couple of bumps: there is bump steer, a measure of torque steer but only if pushed, the transmission drops down gears too readily when descending hills and there is some indecision when it comes to finding a gear on upshifts on certain throttle settings.
When everything works together, it’s a smooth and linear acceleration, typical of turbo engines and the pace certain belies the engines relatively small size. However, the Vitara is not a heavy car at 1160 kilos (2WD, 1235 kg AllGrip) so it’s a fabulous torque to weight ratio. Final fuel consumption figures were 5.7 litres of 95 RON unleaded for every one hundred kilometres, from the 42 litre tank. Suzuki quotes 5.9L/100 km for the combined cycle.
From standstill and asked gently, it’ll move away quietly but there’s some hesitation. Prod a bit harder and the shifts smoothen, becoming less noticeable and the speedo dial’s travel is seen with more alacrity. The torque steer is quickly brought under control and there’s further mitigation thanks to the limpet grip of the 225/55 Continental tyres on 17 inch black painted alloys.
As a result, steering response is rapid, with a good weight and in reality, very little understeer under most driving conditions. Suspension is the tried and true combo of MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam rear. Again there’s some rear end movement on bumps and curves, but again only momentarily noticeable. But it is noticeable.
Outside there’s minor but obvious changes to the trim compared to the “regular” Vitaras. There’s a different grille insert, with plenty of chrome and hexagonal print to the plastic but there’s no air intake in the grille. That’s left to a small slot at the base of the front bumper, allowing air to pass over the engine’s intercooler. There’s black shrouding along the sides which joins the black painted wheels and wraps around into a black and grey valance in the rear. There’s also a prominent, perhaps too overt, Turbo badge on the right side of the non powered tail gate plus parking sensors all around. The black roof is a $995 option, however Suzuki says 60% of the Vitaras coming to Australia will already have the black roof.
Inside it’s a mix of cloth and leather on the seats (driver and passenger non electric), flat and piano gloss black plastic on the dash, with noticeable upper console reflection into the windscreen, an aluminuim look plastic insert on the left side of the dash structure (which is an interchangeable option) and features the same Turbo badge as seen outside. Safety wise, there’s seven airbags included.
There’s colour coding on the air conditioning vent surrounds and clock but disappointingly Suzuki hasn’t chosen to add some extra sparkle to the dash by placing a colour LCD info screen, instead keeping the same monochrome one as seen in other Suzuki cars. There are auto headlights as a positive, as are rainsensing wipers, but only a driver’s window Auto down as a negative. Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel are tucked away at the seven o’clock position and a push button is employed for the Start/Stop.
There is the touchscreen though, mounted centrally in the dash, to add some extra colour appeal and has the four quarter home screen allowing a driver to easily access from the start the radio, satnav, app screen (with Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto) or Bluetooth menu. The satnav is simple to use but the audio completely blanks the radio when giving directions. The radio’s tuner is not as sensitive as some, with more noticeable dropout in some areas. I’d also like to see a proper centre console, not just the no elbow support/cup holder style.
Rear leg and cargo space (375 litres, seats up) is fine for a four passenger setup but three in the rear would be a touch squeezy. The cargo area itself is smartly designed, with two plastic pockets bracketing the lift up shelf, which access the space saver spare. They’re just big enough for cans of liquid refreshment by the half dozen and handily stop cans of pet food rolling around too.
Roadwise, it’s a competent handler, with minimal body roll, sits flat on the road and is composed over mildly unsettled surfaces if going straight ahead. The Vitara Turbo has, as mentioned, that rear end skip and is also afflicted with the same, somewhat odd to feel, shorter suspension travel crash and bang and occasionally the front end felt as if the strut towers were about to fall out after coming off the larger speed reduction humps. Otherwise, a driver can expect a well sorted ride, a quiet ride and a responsive steerer.
Transmission selection for the Sports or manual mode is unusual in that there’s no left or right movement of the lever, rather a further pull back to select M, then allowing the steering column mounted paddle shifters to be employed. On the dash screen, Suzuki has elected to show, next to the ratio, a dot if the computer says it’s the right gear or an arrow for upshift. It’s different but effective.
The brakes, interestingly, seemed to have more bite once the pads had warmed up. On downhill runs on a tight and windy road, behind some gently moving traffic, the brakes were applied with just a dab on the pedal here and there. Once out of this and on a flatter road, the grip was more noticeable on the discs.
At The End Of the Drive.
Priced at $28990 plus on roads for the 2WD (and $32990 plus on roads for the AllGrip), the Vitara Turbo 2WD offers surprisingly good performance from the engine. The transmission and ride quality deduct points though, but as a package and with the fuel consumption figures being so liveable with around town, they’re minor issues.
Along with Suzuki’s three year/one hundred thousand kilometer warranty, there’s the comfort of the cabin, with supportive seating, that user friendly touchscreen and decent audio. For further details, click here: 2016 Suzuki Vitara Turbo 2WD
Suzuki Goes Back To The Future For The Baleno.
Suzuki has resurrected a nameplate that, in its day, managed to sell solidly. The Baleno has returned, bringing with it both a familiar yet updated look and splashes of modern technology. There’s a two model range with a GL manual and auto and the range topping GLX Turbo.
Here’s the skinny on the revamped Baleno.
Key Features including Apple Carplay, Satellite Navigation, Reversing Camera and DRLs standard across all grades.
GLX Turbo with powerful 1.0L Boosterjet turbocharged engine, with 16” Alloys, HID Headlamps, Digital Climate Control & more.
Outstanding fuel economy of only 5.1L/100km (GL Manual).
Suzuki Australia is pleased to announce that the all new Baleno is officially on sale in Australia. Suzuki’s new small hatch competitor redefines great value compact motoring in Australia, with the Baleno GL Automatic starting from just $17,990 Drive Away.
The all new Baleno small hatch features more passenger space and legroom than the smaller Swift, whilst having a large cargo area with 355 litres of boot space, similar to a Corolla hatch boot and bigger than Mazda3 hatch’s boot.
The stylish Baleno, with flowing lines customary of small segment hatchbacks, will also be available with Suzuki’s Boosterjet turbo engine. The Baleno GLX turbo boasts a better power to weight ratio than the Corolla, whilst returning outstanding fuel economy of just 5.2L/100km.
Suzuki is continuing its position as a leader in Satellite Navigation, with every Baleno in the line up fitted with the same multimedia unit as Vitara, including Satellite Navigation and Apple CarPlay.
Suzuki Australia General Manager Automobiles, Andrew Moore stated:
“The new Baleno provides Suzuki with a Small Hatch competitor that offers outstanding value and great styling. And with the addition of Turbo, loads of driving excitement too.”
Core to the Baleno’s development, was ensuring the vehicle was not only stylish but also spacious, with a focus on usable cabin and cargo space.. Whilst the vehicle length is just under 4m, the increase in cabin space especially when compared to Swift is considerable including 87mm of additional length from accelerator pedal to rear seat hip point (more passenger space), and 124mm from the rear hip point to the back of the vehicle, increasing boot space. Length of the front was reduced, to make the vehicle shorter overall thus easier to park.
“Baleno is amazing value at just $17,990 drive away and with its passenger and boot space should be considered by anyone looking at small hatches like Corolla or i30. And with Sat Nav, Apple Carplay and a reversing camera standard, it’s the best value on tech too.”
“Suzuki Australia Pty Ltd’s average monthly sales have grown by 19% since 2014, with the successful launch of Vitara and with Baleno I have no doubt this growth will build even further”.
It’s keenly priced too, with Suzuki placing the GL manual at $16990, auto $17990 and the GLX turbo at $22990. These are drive away prices as well, making the Baleno a sharp entrant into an already crowded market. The features, size, room, and Suzuki’s fuel economy should make the Baleno a serious consideration. Check out the range here:http://www.suzuki.com.au/vehicles/hatch/baleno
A Wheel Thing will bring you a review soon.
Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Suzuki Swift GL Navigator
Under the Suzuki banner, Swift is a nameplate that has been a staple of the brand and was, once, shared by Holden as a Barina. Allegedly, Holden had the lowest warranty return of any of their vehicles when using that car as a source…In the latter half of the “noughties” Suzuki revamped the Swift, giving it a look not dissimilar to a couple of well known smaller cars. They even released a sports version, with a (then) grunty 1.6 litre engine and a six speed manual as the only transmission option.
Since then there’s been some slight bodywork changes, such as headlights and tail lights faired back into the sheetmetal. A Wheel Thing takes on the mid spec GL Swift in 2016, called the Navigator.
Up front is a non turbo 1.4 litre engine, with 70 kilowatts at 6000 rpm and a reasonable, for the engine’s size, 130 torques at 4000 rpm. Suzuki, however, hobble it by fitting a four speed automatic (there is a five speed manual as standard) to the test car. It’s here where either a five or six speed auto OR a properly calibrated CVT would be a better option, as to get anything resembling overtaking speed requires a solid press of the go pedal. It drops from fourth to second in order to get something happening. A better spread of gears would help, one should think.
At least, like all of the Suzukis tested by A Wheel Thing, you can wave an oily rag at one and cover a fair distance. The Swift is no different, sipping 5.5 litres of 91 RON per one hundred kilometres of distance driven for a combined cycle, from a 42 litre tank in the manual and a slightly higher yet no less worthwhile 6.2 for the auto, says Suzuki. A Wheel Thing was in a mainly urban environment and saw 400 klicks at a half tank used.
Inside it’s a mix of textured and shiny black plastic on the dash (visibly reflecting in the windscreen), cloth covered seats in a dark grey and charcoal weave, no centre console as such but a couple of bottle/cup holders, cruise and audio controls on the tiller plus Bluetooth for the phone and audio. The Navigator gts its name due to the stylish seven inch touchscreen with (surprise) satellite navigation and CD. 
It’s intuitive to use, looks good but has a really odd programming where the warning screen you need to touch to view everything else stays on until you touch it. All. Of. The. Time. It doesn’t auto switch off, unlike other brands, to display the satnav or radio screens, for example, it’ll stay there until you turn the car off.
The dash design has a couple of built in storage spots, which are open to the cabin and have no material inside to stop items from moving around, meaning a phone or coins and so on are free to shake, rattle and roll. Underneath the touchscreen is another indentation, this being the aircon controls which are manually operated dials. One highlight here is that on full heat, the cabin gets toasty warm very quickly. Again, too, Suzuki eschew auto headlights and only the driver gets an Auto option for the power windows, being downwards only. The tiller is only adjustable for tilt, with reach being reserved for the GLX Navigator.
Boot space isn’t huge at 210 litres (seats up) and is somewhat hampered, initially, by having what first appears to be a high mounted shelf. This, though, is removable, adding some vital extra space, but then the question is where to put that removable shelf. Back seat anyone? With the seats down this increases to a more usable 533 litres. The wheelbase and 1510 mm height work together to endow the Swift with an agreeable amount of interior space for driver, front and rear passengers with just enough rear leg room for children, although adults might feel a tad cramped…
Being a small car, safety would be a consideration for buyers of the car for their children and Suzuki don’t skimp here. There’s front, side, curtain AND driver’s knee ‘bags, the suite of electronic aids such as traction and stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and hill hold control for the automatic equipped Swifts.
Outside there’s nothing new for the Swift in regards to looks; no LED driving lights (it does get globe lit driving lights), head and tail lights faired into the guards (a design change a few years ago), with stylish 16 inch alloys clad in 185/55 rubber. It’s a good looking car and after ten years with the same basic design (the rear window line was also modified a few years ago), still looks good on the road.
Speaking of on the road, it’s a surprising harsh and hard ride in the Swift. There’s bang, crash, thump enough to please a Batman episode from the 1960s, such is the lack of compliance. This came as a surprise, and not a welcome one. The lack of give also contributed to the rear end skipping around on unsettled surfaces, such as broken tarmac or bumps in turns. It’s choppy and intrusive, deadening an otherwise quite reasonable handling package from the MacPherson strut front/torsion beam rear suspended car. Yet, there seemed to be more give over shopping centre speed restrictors….odd. It’s quick enough in the steering too, allowing the driver to move the 3850 mm long machine into some tight spaces, aided by the 2430 mm wheelbase, pushing the wheels to all four corners.
As mentioned, the four speed auto restricts performance but in normal day to day driving, it’s adequate enough. In fact, when A Wheel Thing sold Suzuki vehicles, it was the auto Swift that was most demanded by parents as a first car for their children, because it was auto and not seen as either quick nor hard to drive. It’ll respond well enough when really pushed but as an around town car, it’ll do the job if you don’t expect it to do much more. Brakes are discs up front, drums at the rear and also do a good job of pulling in the lightweight Swift. It tips the scales at just 1035 kilos (kerb weight).
At The End Of The Drive.
It’s a firm favourite with younger drivers, the Suzuki Swift, thanks to its pert good looks, swag of safety features and, for parents of new drivers, the comparitive lack of urge. It happily swallows a family of four but is a bit light on for luggage space. It’s cheap to run, comes with Suzuki’s standard three year/100000 kilometre warranty and the sat nav in the mid range GL is a sweetener too. With the GL Navigator introduced to the Aussie market at a $17490 price (the Swift range starts at $15990) it’s also easy on the bank balance to buy.
For further information on the 2016 Suzuki Swift range, go here:2016 Suzuki Swift range
Metal Beasts: Cars That Are Named After Animals
When the marketing team for a new vehicle put their heads together, they put a lot of thought into the name. At least that’s the theory. With some marques, they stick with a system of numbers and letters that let you know some of the details about the car, such as the engine size (this is the preferred method of Mercedes-Benz and BMW). Other manufacturers pick an actual name: a word that will stick in the memory of potential customers and possibly capture what the spirit of the vehicle is. Often, the design team look to the animal world for images of beauty, speed and possible danger; alternatively, they give them cute, cuddly names that are likely to appeal to the more family-friendly segment of the market.
Here’s a selection of vehicles that have already been named after animals:
Cute, cuddly and pretty animals:
- Beetle (VW)
- Bluebird (Nissan)
- Rabbit (VW – in the US; it’s called a Golf )
- Kitten (Reliant)
- Escargot (French for “snail” (escargot) with a pun on “cargo” – Nissan)
- Robin (Reliant)
Reliant Robin
- Panda (Fiat)
- Swift (Suzuki)
Fast animals:
- Mustang (Ford)
- Impala (Chevrolet)
- Colt (Mitsubishi)
- Starion (a Japanese mishearing of “Stallion” – Mitsubishi)
- Pinto (technical term for a black and white or brown and white horse; Ford – probably about the worst vehicle they every made)
- Marlin (AMC)
- Stag (Triumph – although this could go in the “dangerous animals” category)
- Falcon (Ford)
Dangerous animals:
Ford Pinto
- Ram (Dodge ) – some sheep aren’t just fluffy things that go baa
- Bighorn (Isuzu )
- Jaguar (probably about the most successful animal name out there)
- Spider (Alfa Romeo)
- Viper (Dodge)
- Cobra (Shelby)
- Cougar (Ford, formerly Mercury)
- Barracuda (Plymouth)
- Stingray (Corvette)
Corvette Stingray
- Amarok (Inuit for “wolf” – VW)
- Blackhawk (Jeep Cherokee – although they might have had the military helicopter in mind… which is named after the bird).
- Thunderbird (Ford)
- Gripen (Swedish for “griffin” or “gryphon”, a mythological cross between a lion and an eagle; Saab)
- Golden Hawk (Studebaker)
- Tiburon (Spanish for “shark” – Hyundai)
- Cayman (variation of “caiman”, which is a small crocodile or the Spanish for crocodile/alligator –Porsche)
- Puma (Ford)
- Yeti (Skoda)
- Taurus (Latin for “bull” – Ford)
OK, so that’s cars that actually exist that are named after animals. What are some other possibilities that could work for the cars of the future? And what animal names definitely won’t work?
Cute and cuddly:
- Labrador
- Alpaca
- Swan
- Ladybird
- Corgi
- Koala
- Dolphin
- Racoon
Fast:
- Kestrel
- Oryx
- Appaloosa
- Palomino
- Peregrine
- Greyhound
- Elk (this would really suit a 4×4)
- Saluki
- Pegasus
- Tiercel
- Camel
Dangerous:
- Dragon (although SsangYong means “twin dragons”, so this might be already in use)
- Alligator
- Pitbull
- Jararaca
- Bear
- Boomslang
- Lynx – hang on, that’s men’s deodorant.
- Orca
- Taipan
- Basilisk
- Anaconda
- Mamba
- Komodo (as in Komodo Dragon)
- Raptor
- Osprey
- Aquila
- Mosquito (yes it’s a dangerous animal (spreads malaria) and it works for fighter planes, so why not for cars?)
Ummm – perhaps not!
- Hippo
- Baboon
- Slug
- Dog
- Emu
- Cow
- Gorilla (although this might work for a big commercial pickup – you never know)
- Goldfish
- Pig
- Duck
- Echidna
- Whale
- Turtle
- Seagull
- Bitch
- Monkey
- Octopus
- Giraffe
- Hyena
- Platypus
- Troll
- Boa
- Jellyfish
Any other suggestions for animal names that will work – or that definitely won’t? Let us know in the comments!
Level 2, 9 Help Street