Autoblog

Suzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concern

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 25 May 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Suzuki

2010 Suzuki Equator - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember the Suzuki Equator - the overlooked, rebadged version of the Nissan Frontier that went on sale in early 2009? There hasn't been much to talk about the slow-selling Fronquator, but now a recall involving vehicles manufactured between November 2009 and March 2010 (a whopping total of 582 units) brings the little truck into the front of our minds again.

According to the official recall statement from NHTSA, the Equator's lower control link bushing collars may not contain welds that meet strength specifications, which can alter the wheel alignment over time. The safety recall is taking place as you read this, and dealers will replace one or both lower control links if necessary. The full details are available in NHTSA's statement, after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Suzuki Equator

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Suzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concern

Suzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chicago 2009: Suzuki circles the wagons with three customized Equators

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Suzuki, Lifestyle

Click above for a high-res gallery of the customized Suzuki Equators

At last year's Chicago Auto Show, Suzuki showed off three versions of the ~~Nissan Frontier~~ Equator. Those three concepts were the RMZ-4, Quad and Quay, each designed to haul a superbike, a quad and a boat, respectively. Since then, we've driven an Equator and heard that the production truck will sell for $17,995, but we still haven't seen any on the road (Suzuki America's Chris Brown noted that the Equator just started arriving in dealerships). Flash forward to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show and we're looking at three more Equator "concept" trucks, as Suzuki tries to prove that this is the most tuner-friendly truck on the planet.

To be fair, these are less concept and more custom, having undergone some restyling and tweaking by the likes of 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Off-Road and Truckin' magazines. The three "Hill/Street Hues" customs are apparently a play on the Hill Street Blues. We don't get it either.

Although the U.S. might not even realize that Suzuki is still in the car and truck business, Brown wanted us to know that they are committed to this market. After all, Suzuki is the 11th largest vehicle maker worldwide, and America does love trucks. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Suzuki shows three Equator customs

Continue reading Chicago 2009: Suzuki circles the wagons with three customized Equators

Chicago 2009: Suzuki circles the wagons with three customized Equators originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chicago Preview: Suzuki bringing three Equator concepts to Windy City. Again.

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Truck, Suzuki

Click above for a larger image of Suzuki and Truckin' Magazine's Equator concept

At last year's Chicago Auto Show, Suzuki showed off three versions of its reworked Nissan Frontier pickup, the Equator. The three concepts were the RMZ-4, Quad and Quay, which represented trucks to haul a superbike, a quad and a boat, respectively. Since then, we've driven an Equator and heard that the production truck will sell for $17,995. Flash forward to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show and American Suzuki Motor Corp. is finally ready to introduce the "all-new" Equator with - wait for it - three concept trucks. This trio of trucks, however, have been customized by 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Off-Road and Truckin' magazines.

In the case of the Truckin' concept (shown above), an Equator has been lowered and fitted with a set of massive six-spoke alloys wrapped in rather serious-looking street rubber. So-equipped, it almost looks like this trucklet might canyon carve almost as well as the motorcycle in its bed. Well, perhaps that's stretching things a bit. The concept uses a massaged four-cylinder under the hood that probably couldn't come close to keeping up with that 999cc GSX-R sportbike in the bed. But it sure looks fun! We'll be sure to cover all three concepts along with everything else worth seeing when we get to the Windy City in about ten days.

[Source: Suzuki]

Chicago Preview: Suzuki bringing three Equator concepts to Windy City. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Suzuki Equator priced from $17,995

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Suzuki

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Suzuki Equator

Suzuki has just released pricing information for its brand-new Equator midsize pickup truck, and, not surprisingly, it apes the asking price of its Nissan Frontier platform-mate. For 2009, the Equator will start at $17,995, just a few hundred bucks more than the Frontier at $17,460. That base sum will get you a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque in an extended cab package with a five-speed manual transmission and two-wheel drive. Of course, those wanting or needing more can opt for a powerful 4.0L V6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive and four real doors. A fully-loaded RMZ-4 model will easily top the $30,000 mark.

Also priced is the newly-reworked Grand Vitara, which is equipped with a choice of two new engines. Base four-cylinder models begin changing hands at under $20,000, while top-level Luxury models with a 3.2L V6 engine powering all four wheels begin at $25,649. Check out the full press release from Suzuki after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Suzuki Equator

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki Equator priced from $17,995

Suzuki Equator priced from $17,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Drive: 2009 Suzuki Equator

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Suzuki, First Drives

2009 Suzuki Equator - Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki has chosen a rather dubious time to enter the pickup truck market with the 2009 Equator. As you are surely aware, trucks and SUV sales are way down from their apogee a few years back, and small cars like the ones that have historically filled Suzuki showrooms are all the rage. So, why would the Japanese automaker even bother with a mid-sized pickup truck based on the Nissan Frontier? That's a good question, and we aimed to find out when we grabbed the keys to Team Yellow's first-ever real pickup contender in the U.S. Read on to see what the Suzuki Equator has to offer.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Suzuki Equator

All Photos (C) Copyright Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Suzuki Equator

First Drive: 2009 Suzuki Equator originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Suzuki Equator mid-size pickup slated for Chicago debut

John Neff — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Suzuki

Suzuki Grand Vitara Pickup Concept from 2000 Tokyo Motor Show

Suzuki is the little automaker with pluck, having galantly reached its ambitious goal of selling 100,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year. Soon another model with join Suzuki's lineup, and it's probably not what you think. Pickuptruck.com is reporting that the Japanese automaker will likely debut a new mid-size truck called the Equator at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show in February. The Equator name, while not confirmed or denied by Suzuki, has been registered as a trademark by the company. Suzuki will be getting help from Nissan to build its pickup, as the Equator will be produced on the same platform as the Frontier pickup and share that truck's assembly line in Smyrna, Tennessee. Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com points out that Suzuki has definitely expressed interest in pickups before, having debuted the Grand Vitara Pickup Concept (shown above) at the 2000 Tokyo Motor Show. Let's not forget the excellent X-Head Concept that debuted at this year's show in Tokyo. Still, the mid-size pickup market in the U.S. is in even worse shape than the full-size pickup market, and is hardly stable enough to provide Suzuki with very many sales. If done well, however, the Equator could be the exception and give folks who own all manner of Suzuki hardware like bikes and ATVs a truck with which to tow their toys.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Suzuki Equator mid-size pickup slated for Chicago debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments