Suzuki Moves Ahead without VW and Signs New Diesel Engine Deal with Fiat

Regular readers will no doubt remember the clash between the Volkswagen Group and Suzuki Motors with the Germans refusing to let go of their 19.9 percent equity stake in the Japanese company and Suzuki taking the matter to the international court.

While the issue remains unresolved, Suzuki has already moved on and today, the company announced that it is further expanding its business relationship with the Fiat Group, which also owns Chrysler.

The two parties reached an agreement for the supply of Fiat's 1.3-liter Multijet four-cylinder turbo diesel with 75-horses to Maruti Suzuki, which is the Japanese company's Indian subsidiary.

Fiat India Automobiles Limited (FIAL), a joint venture between Fiat and Tata Motors, produces the diesel engine at a plant near Pune in Maharashtra State.

Under the deal, Fiat will supply up to 100,000 1.3L MultiJet 75hp SDE engines per year, starting from January 2012 and for a maximum period of three years. Fiat noted that these volumes will be in addition to the 1.3L MultiJet SDE engines already licensed by Fiat and manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India Limited.

The 75HP diesel unit will be used on Suzuki branded vehicles produced in India exclusively for the local market.

 

Read More

Suzuki's Special Edition Grand Vitara SZ-T is Limited to 500 Units in the UK

British buyers looking for a niftier version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara will be happy to know that the Japanese company has just launched a new special edition version with bespoke features that will be produced in only 500 units.

The new Grand Vitara SZ-T is based on the five-door model and sports a different front grille and 18-inch alloy wheels, silver colored roof rails and bonnet side vents, built in turn signal lamps for the door mirrors and a tailgate mounted spare wheel.

Other enhancements include the unique contrasting seat fabric and the addition of cruise control and keyless entry/start to the Grand Vitara's equipment list.

The SZ-T model is powered by Suzuki's Euro 5 1.9-liter DDiS diesel engine that produces 129PS and 300Nm (221.2 lb-ft) of peak torque for a combined fuel economy of 41.5mpg UK (equal to 34.6mpg US or 6.8lt/100km) with CO2 emissions of 179g/km.

The special edition Grand Vitara is available for order now with on the road prices starting from £22,315 including the metallic paint.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Mazda MX-5 Starts "Tuned Black" Limited Edition In Japan

Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is a best-selling two-seater sports cars in the world. Now in its third generation, Mazda's roadster has seen its share of special editions since it was launched in 1989. The latest version to hit the streets is black Tuned edition, which was launched in Japan today.

Based on a retractable hardtop model, the new special edition is available in 2.0 liters combined with the two 6-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Exterior features include a retractable hardtop custom glossy black and gun metal mirrors and 17-inch allow wheels. Buyers have a choice of three exterior colors, two of them (metallic green and vibrant Velocity Red Mica) are exclusive to the black edition tuned.

Inside are the most visible changes of black leather seats with contrasting colors of sand-colored seats and steering wheel stitching and decorative trim piano black on the dashboard.

A similar special edition MX-5 was launched in the UK earlier this year.

Read More

BMW Treats China with New Z4 sDrive23i Limited Edition

The growing importance of China has led many carmakers to introduce a variety of dedicated special edition models created especially for the domestic market. In the recent past, the BMW Group has presented many such vehicles, including but not limited to, the M3 Matte and Tiger Editions.

The Bavarian firm's latest attempt to capture the attention of Chinese buyers with a special version is the Z4 sDrive23i Flame Edition.

The China-only model is based on the Z4 hardtop roadster with a 2.5-liter straight-six petrol engine that generates 204HP for 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7.3 seconds.

On the outside, the Flame Edition gets a distinct yellow finish and alloy wheel designs.

Interior modifications include seats dressed in a combination of Alcantara and leather with yellow accents. The same color makes its appearance on the lower parts of the dashboard, the center panels of which are trimmed in Alcantara with yellow piping.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Another Day, Another Shade for Ford's Transit SportVan Limited Edition

Like clockwork, Ford of Britain has just unveiled another version of its special edition Transit SportVan, this time 180 examples if the commercial model finished in a new livery with metallic silver bodywork and graphite racing stripes.

Color is the only differentiating factor among the previous versions of the Transit SportVan, which was first launched in 2007.

Up until now, Ford has released six models/colors, all of which have been sold out. These include the Performance Blue with white stripes (500 examples), Sea Grey with silver stripes (80 units), Panther Black with silver stripes (500), Frozen White with blue stripes (80), Ink Blue with silver stripes (150) and Colorado Red with white stripes (250).

The seventh edition in the SportVan range is based on Transit 260 short wheelbase model with a 140HP 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed transmission.

On the outside, the commercial model stands out thanks to the Silver paintwork with Le Mans-style graphite bonnet stripes, twin exhausts, 18-inch graphite colour alloy wheels shod in low profile 235/45 tyres, front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and wheel arch extensions.

On board, standard features include air conditioning, Sony radio/CD with DAB with remote steering-column-mounted controls, Bluetooth, cruise control, power windows, powered and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted glass, leather gearshift knob and a perimeter alarm.

The new Transit SportVan is on sale now at Ford dealers with pricing set at £23, 670, or a little over £1,000 than last year's model.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Infiniti FX50 S Dressed Up in Styling Package by Brabus’ CRD Division

Here’s a proposal from this year’s Frankfurt Show that somehow managed to escape our radar. Supposedly a concept study, the Infiniti FX50 S Limited Edition was created by Car Research and Development or CRD for short, a subsidiary of the Brabus Group that works directly with automakers and their national importers. Among other cars, CRD was responsible (…) for the creation of the Dodge Avenger-based Startech Starster that appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Show.

The Infiniti FX50 S Limited Edition show car gets a set of bespoke 21-inch turbine-design light-alloy wheels in a grey finish, while the front grille, side air inlets in the front fenders and the roof bars are also painted grey.

The luxury SUV’s cabin is upholstered in high-quality leather with contrasting light brown stitching while the carbon-fiber trim in a dark brown finish and the alcantara trim on the headliner and pillars round off the interior upgrades.

And yes, we too are wondering why Brabus / CRD even bothered to call this creation a concept study…

Read More