Autoblog

It's a hard knock life for a Nürburgring rental car

Chris Tutor — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Suzuki, Racing

Rental cars get no respect. They're abused, misused and flogged mercilessly as athletes in Rental Car Olympics. And that's just at your everyday airport rental counter. The torture gets extreme for rental cars thrashed around Germany's infamous Nürburgring.

Rent4Ring expects its customers to drive its cars around the 'Ring with enthusiasm and, in some cases, less skill than the pros. Rent4Ring just recently retired its Suzuki Swift Sport from its fleet and shared the car's two-year-plus lifetime highlights.

The little hatchback made more than 2,800 laps of the 'Ring over three seasons amounting to more than 310,000 miles driven by 457 different drivers. "Some were fast, some were slow. Some were nice to the car, a few were frankly awful," says a Rent4Ring rep.

One of those drivers pegged the tachometer at a record (for this Swift, at least) 8761 rpm. The car did about 600 hours of spirited driving, and endured 168,000 gear changes for 180 million engine revolutions.

All that lead-foot levity came at the cost of only two clutches, 27 front brake pads, three brake fluid flushes, a new wheel bearing, a new alternator and battery, 52 Toyo 888 tires and four Goodyear Eagle F1s. About 1,847 gallons of 98-octane go juice.

To the Suzuki's credit, Rent4Ring says the car was never mechanically broken or crashed. Not only does it still drive like new, it still dyno's at 133bhp. The car isn't being scrapped or stuck on a used car lot somewhere but instead was bought by a Rent4Ring customer and should get several more Nürburgring laps before it goes to that big garage in the sky.

It's a hard knock life for a Nürburgring rental car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remembering Suzuki of America... in commercials

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Suzuki, Humor

American Suzuki Motors is leaving us, but as long as the lights are on at YouTube, its commercials will stay behind to remind of the times we shared. We dug up nine commercials - sort of like a Time Life infomercial for an entire brand - and among the starring actors are the X-90 improving the 90s with the help of a Pez dispenser, the Peter Pan-ish Sidekick, Optimus Prime getting his pipes all smoked up over the 1987 Samurai and an XL7 that would have sold in the millions if its commercial were even half true.

We've also included a remarkably oddball eight-minute featurette/commercial about a giant Suzuki Swift. You'll find the retrospective in the videos below. Enjoy.

Continue reading Remembering Suzuki of America... in commercials

Remembering Suzuki of America... in commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen drops "GTi" lawsuit against Suzuki

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Suzuki, Volkswagen

Way back in 2004, Volkswagen took umbrage with Suzuki being granted permission to use the nameplate "SWIFT GTi" for a performance variant of its small-car offering (2012 equivalent seen here). Now, eight years and surely some very steep legal bills later, VW has finally dropped its claim against Suzuki.

The General Court of the European Union stated, back in March of this year, that Suzuki's GTi registration could not be confused with VW's "Golf GTI." Volkswagen had appealed that ruling, though has now reportedly called off the dogs. In fact, Germany's Die Welt reports that the appeal has been dead for several weeks now.

This news comes amongst continued arbitration acrimony between the two automakers, all revolving around VW's forced divestiture of nearly 20-percent stake it purchased in Suzuki some two years ago.

Volkswagen drops "GTi" lawsuit against Suzuki originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maruti Suzuki stretches Swift into new Ertiga

Noah Joseph — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Suzuki, India

With over a billion people, the Indian market holds huge potential for any automaker. In fact, Suzuki makes a dedicated range of vehicles on the subcontinent specifically for the local market under the Maruti banner, and this is their latest.

Dubbed Ertiga, it's essentially a lengthened Swift hatchback "Life Utility Vehicle," or what would conventionally be called an MPV (Multiple Passenger Vehicle).

Call it what you will, Maruti Suzuki has managed to fit three rows of seating into the stretched Swift for seven-passenger accommodation. Launching locally in India prior to export to neighboring markets like Indonesia in the aim to take market share away from the Toyota Avanza and Mahindra Xylo, the Ertiga takes advantage of huge economies of scale by sharing basic components with the Swift and the Dzire sedan which Maruti builds on the same platform.

Buyers in India will be able to choose between three trim levels, two engines (gas or diesel) and seven colors, but they'll have to justify spending six or seven times the price of a Tata Nano to do so - but then again, that's true of most cars. Take a closer look in our gallery above and scroll down for the official press release with more information.

Continue reading Maruti Suzuki stretches Swift into new Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki stretches Swift into new Ertiga originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire sedan may have world's shortest trunk

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:21:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Suzuki, India

While some would have you believe that Americans are unique in their general preference for traditional betrunked sedans over hatchbacks, don't let them sway you. There are plenty of markets in the world where trunklids are preferred to tailgates. But while sedans are typically viewed as larger than hatchbacks, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.

The product of a Suzuki joint venture in India (which is by itself the largest automaker on the subcontinent), the Swift Dzire is the new sedan version of the nimble little hatchback available in overseas markets. And while the previous-generation version appeared to have added a trunk as an appendage off the back of a Swift, the new version looks like it just lost the upper part of the hatch for what looks like the smallest trunk this side of a newborn elephant. (Cue the ballpark organ music.)

The reason for the Dzire's shortening from one model year to the next is not apparently in an effort to boost sales, as the model already reportedly has a waiting list, but to take advantage of Indian government regulations that more heavily taxes vehicles over four meters in length. Check out additional photos of the Dzire over at IndianAutosBlog.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire sedan may have world's shortest trunk originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki debuts range-extended Swift EV Hybrid

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki, Electric

Suzuki hit the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with a small flotilla of green-minded vehicles, including the Swift EV Hybrid. According to the company, most Swift buyers travel between 12 and 18 miles per day, so engineers designed this range-extended EV to cover that distance on pure electric power. A small-displacement internal combustion engine remains on hand to take over charging duties should the driver deplete the vehicle's batteries, just like in the Chevrolet Volt. Suzuki says that the design has several advantages over a traditional electric vehicle.

For starters, the system uses a significantly smaller battery than a full EV, which means the Swift EV Hybrid uses fewer resources and costs less. It also takes less time to charge than a full EV as well. While we don't expect to see this doorless wonder on the streets any time soon, Suzuki may apply the range-extender technology to production models in the future.

Suzuki debuts range-extended Swift EV Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Suzuki Swift Sport sure looks like fun... for someone else

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki

Despite the on-again, off-again rumors about its potential voyage to the United States, the Suzuki Swift still remains a tasty piece of forbidden fruit. A shame, too, especially since this new Sport version sounds like it'd be quite the enjoyable steer.

The Swift Sport was first previewed by the S-Concept that debuted back in Geneva, but now packs 134 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque routed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Those aren't earth-shattering numbers, but in a vehicle this tiny (and lightweight), we imagine it to be pretty engaging from behind the wheel. Think Mazda2, but more powerful.

Other enhancements to the Swift Sport include a stiffer suspension and more aggressive stance, rounded out by a handsome set of 17-inch wheels. All in, we'd gladly throw the Sport around an autocross course or some curvy canyons... if it ever comes to the U.S.

2012 Suzuki Swift Sport sure looks like fun... for someone else originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki to launch sprightlier Swift Sport in Frankfurt

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki

It's compact, sporty, has a manual transmission... and we don't expect it to arrive Stateside anytime soon. We're talking about the all-new Suzuki Swift Sport, which is set to make its official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The compact hot hatch is a tuned version of the standard Swift, with power rated at 134 horses and torque at 118 pound-feet, fed to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

Suzuki didn't just fiddle with the engine, however, as the Swift Sport gets a healthy dose of chassis and suspension upgrades over the standard Swift. The torsion beam is more rigid, spring rates have been increased and the front wheels receive larger bushings to help turn the Swift Sport into an agile handling machine.

Despite all the sporting notions, the Suzuki Swift Sport is still a light sipper at the fuel pump. Fuel economy is rated at approximately 37 miles per gallon. So to sum up, the Swift Sport sounds rather fun to drive yet it's fuel efficient as well, and you're not going to see one on a U.S. road in the foreseeable future. Feel free to read all the details after the break.

Continue reading Suzuki to launch sprightlier Swift Sport in Frankfurt

Suzuki to launch sprightlier Swift Sport in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Suzuki Swift S-Concept puts its money where its name is

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift S-Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Suzuki Swift is a genuinely good car, standing as something of an exception in Suzuki's lineup until recent additions like the SX4 and Kizashi came along. But calling it "swift" might be a bit of wishful thinking, if not a huge exaggeration. Enter the Swift S-Concept, which Suzuki has just presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

Few details have been released as to what has gone into the S-Concept and where it's going, but anyone can tell straight off the bat that it's a Swift taken to the extreme. In fact, it looks as close to an S2000-spec racer for the street as we've seen in some time, sporting 18-inch wheels, aerodynamic upgrades, Recaro racing buckets... the works.

The result looks good. Seriously good. Which is sadly probably more than we can say for its production prospects. But for the company behind such an eclipsing Pikes Peak campaign, with the right mechanical upgrades to match the sporting pretensions of its own styling, a hotter Swift could be just the ticket to inject some much-needed excitement into its range.

Check it out in the gallery of live images from the show floor below, and the stock shots in the gallery below that.

Gallery: Suzuki Swift S-Concept: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Suzuki Swift S-Concept

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Suzuki Swift S-Concept puts its money where its name is

Geneva 2011: Suzuki Swift S-Concept puts its money where its name is originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How to build a Suzuki Swift in under 4 minutes, stop-motion style

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift comes to life one frame at a time - Click above to watch video after the jump

It may be calling out for some Peter Gabriel backing-music, but Michal Bakiewicz has put together what may be our new favorite "watch a car come to life" video to date.

This stop-motion clip captures a Suzuki Swift as it goes from pile-o-parts to race-ready hatchback. The entire garage springs to life and, as the seasons changes, a new racecar is born. Click past the jump to watch the frame-by-frame action. Impressive work, Michal.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: How to build a Suzuki Swift in under 4 minutes, stop-motion style

Video: How to build a Suzuki Swift in under 4 minutes, stop-motion style originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki readying Swift S-Concept for Geneva

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift S-Concept - Click above for high-res image

With the Geneva Motor Show coming up in a matter of weeks, a whole mess of new debuts and concept cars are rolling in. The latest comes courtesy of Suzuki and its European operations.

Called the Swift S-Concept, the show car looks like it could be a pretty mean interpretation of the latest Swift hatchback in a higher-performance guise with a healthy dose of rally-inspired action. The Japanese automaker has released very little in the way of details, essentially announcing the debut accompanied by the preview rendering you see above.

We'll have to wait as the expo approaches for more, but for now you can check out the press release after the jump and click on the image above to view in high-resolution.

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki readying Swift S-Concept for Geneva

Suzuki readying Swift S-Concept for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Suzuki Swift delayed in the U.S., again

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Suzuki

2011 Suzuki Swift - Click above for high-res image gallery

The on-again, off-again plans to bring the Suzuki Swift to the U.S. have been thwarted yet again as the automaker fleshes out its global product plans with its new partners at Volkswagen.

According to Autoweek, the recently redesigned Swift - due to go on sale in Europe and Japan later this year - was nearly federalized for the U.S. and set to arrive Stateside this fall. But after VW gobbled up a 20% stake in Suzuki, the two automakers delayed the launch to analyze product strategy, align resources and, according to Steve Younan, Suzuk American's head of product development and business development, "get some indication of where they may have found some efficiencies in platform development and powertrain development."

However, the Swift's passport to the U.S. may not have been stamped because of something as simple as pricing. Suzuki was determining the Swift's MSRP when the VW deal went through, stalling the launch in the process, and the combination of a rising yen and recent reduction in Suzuki's U.S. marketing budget are also to blame for the delay.

If the Swift does get the greenlight for the U.S., expect it to arrive in the summer of 2011... maybe.

Gallery: 2011 Suzuki Swift

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Suzuki Swift delayed in the U.S., again originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Full Details: Suzuki reveals 2011 Swift

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Suzuki

2011 Suzuki Swift - Click above for image gallery

You know the old conundrum, "Fast car slow or slow car fast?" If you've never heard it before, it's a bit of automotive philosophy that asks on a given road, would you rather drive a Lamborghini Murcielago at five-tenths, or a 1982 Honda Prelude until the wheel-bearings shatter? And really, like the sound of one hand clapping, there is no answer. That said, the new 2011 Suzuki Swift is one slow car all of us would love to drive fast.

Check the stats: The wheelbase is nearly two-inches longer while the length has grown by almost 4 inches. The front and rear tracks are wider by a smidge -- seriously, a smidge -- 10mm front, 5mm rear. A 1.2-liter gas engine replaces the 1.3-liter from the previous Swift, but the new mill includes variable-valve technology, so while displacement is down, power is up -- 92 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque. True, that's barely enough oomph to get make it up the AMG staircase, but consider the Swift weighs half as much as most cars (the current car is just under one ton) and comes standard with a manual (automatic's an option). Sounds better now, no?

While the exterior hasn't changed much, the Swift's suit appears a bit more tailored. The big news is the interior which has borrowed some dressy, ritzed-up cues from its big brother Kizashi. Will the Swift come to our big-car loving shores? The answer is probably not, even though the Swift should get about 45 mpg and sticker under $10,000. However, Suzuki does need products, and there will be a 1.6-liter Swift Sport coming soon, so who knows?

Gallery: 2011 Suzuki Swift

[Source: Autocar]

Full Details: Suzuki reveals 2011 Swift originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki reveals first images of new 2011 Swift

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Suzuki

2011 Suzuki Swift - Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki has just dropped the first official photos of the new third generation Swift compact that goes on sale in Europe this Fall. The new hatch gets a slight smaller, but more powerful 1.2-liter inline-four that generates 93 horsepower thanks to variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. The manual transmission model now has a rating of 47 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 116 grams per kilometer. That's 6.5 mpg better than the outgoing model.

The new Swift spans an extra two inches between the axles and 3.5 inches overall. Even with that extra size, the Swift is still a whopping 9.5 inches shorter than the Ford Fiesta hatchback, but it splits the difference between the standard Mini Cooper and the Clubman. Unfortunately, at this point we know of no plans for Suzuki to offer the Swift in the American market. In fact if the surprisingly good Kizashi doesn't start gaining some traction in the market, the brand as a whole might not be around in the States for much longer.

Gallery: 2011 Suzuki Swift

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki reveals first images of new 2011 Swift

Suzuki reveals first images of new 2011 Swift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki Germany releases special Nürburgring edition Swift Sport - sort of

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift Sport "Rock am Ring" edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you think of the Nürburgring, and what cars come to mind? Porsche 911 GT3? BMW M5? Nissan GT-R? How about a Suzuki Swift?

Now the Swift - especially in Sport guise - is one of those hot little hatchbacks we wish was offered for sale in North America, and we may well get our wish with the next-gen model. But in the meantime, is it really worthy of a Nürburgring edition à la Lexus LFA? Well no, not really, but hold your horses there a minute, because the Suzuki Swift Sport "Rock am Ring" edition isn't about speeding around the road course. It's about the music, man.

Every summer - in case nearby residents weren't annoyed enough by the noise - the Nürburgring plays host to the "Rock am Ring" (Rock at the 'Ring) music festival, and Suzuki is one of the biggest sponsors. So to celebrate the arrival of this year's rock-fest, Suzuki's Deutsch subsidiary has released this special edition.

Instead of semi-slick tires and strut braces, the Rock am Ring edition Swift gets a Clarion infotainment system with a 6.9-inch color display, 30-gig hard drive, iPod connectivity and upgraded speakers. Oh, and the requisite special badging, of course. For our part, we'd blast some of our most spirited driving music, flog it around the track and make sure to add one of those Nordschleife stickers to the package.

Gallery: Suzuki Swift Sport "Rock am Ring" edition

[Source: Suzuki]

Suzuki Germany releases special Nürburgring edition Swift Sport - sort of originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Americans, meet the next-gen Suzuki Swift you'll be driving

John Neff — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Suzuki

Sixth-gen Suzuki Swift spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki finally seems headed in the right direction: away from a lineup clogged with SUVs towards one chock full of fun-to-drive cars. The SX4 was a good start and the Kizashi, in our estimation, is a home run. But the brand that's big everywhere else in the world has one car after which we've always lusted, the Swift. You may remember the Swift from back in the day as a rebadged Geo Metro (or vice versa), but that name carried on in other global markets where it was eventually affixed to the fifth generation Swift that debuted in 2004. Think of it as a poor man's Mini.

While Americans won't get to sample the fifth-gen Swift, Suzuki has indicated that the sixth-gen model currently under development will be sold in the U.S. And here it is in three-door guise.

It's hard to believe that just ten years ago the U.S. market for automobiles was awash in trucks and SUVs, and soon we'll be knee deep in a sea of small cars like the Ford Fiesta, next-gen Chevrolet Aveo and Spark and Honda CR-Z to name a few. You can add the Suzuki Swift to that list now.

Gallery: Next-gen Suzuki Swift

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Americans, meet the next-gen Suzuki Swift you'll be driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: 2011 Suzuki Swift engineered to meet U.S. regulations

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift Sport Click above for high-res image gallery

There are things that Suzuki does well, and things it doesn't do so well. Among the former are its motorcycles and small cars like the Swift. Among the latter, well, just take a look at their success in the North American market. Unfortunately, the company doesn't offer the Swift - an almost universally praised little hatchback - in North America, a decision which Suzuki admits in hindsight was a mistake. But the company has been hard at work on a successor to the hot-selling hatch, and rumors have been circulating that this version could, in the end, make it Stateside.

The latest news comes from the mouth of Suzuki's chief engineer Takashi Nakayama via Car and Driver, who says the next-gen Swift is being developed with United States crash and emissions regulations in mind. Although that doesn't mean it will necessarily make it here, it does give Suzuki the option. In the meantime, the company is toiling away, preparing the ground for the arrival of its new Kizashi sedan while getting by on a lineup consisting of the underrated SX4, ho-hum Grand Vitara, what's left of XL7 stock and the rebadged Nissan Frontier known as the Suzuki Equator.

Gallery: Suzuki Swift Sport

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: 2011 Suzuki Swift engineered to meet U.S. regulations originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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American-made Formula Nippon car debuts at Fuji

Justin Gardiner — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan

Just under a year since the concept was announced, two brand new 2009 Formula Nippon chassis, designed and built by California's Swift Engineering, have gone through shakedown trials at Fuji Speedway. Autoblog spoke to Team Toyota TOM'S Andre Lotterer, one of the first two F'pon pilots to take the radically designed machine out for a spin, to see what he thought of the exceptionally wide single seater.

First off, they seem to be pretty well put together. In an unusual turn of events for a brand new car, nothing broke or fell off during the its first outing in anger. Equally unusual, the new design is almost as quick as the Lola chassis it replaces, and with a few adjustments is destined to be even quicker. That's saying something: Andre has managed to lap Fuji in 1 minute 23 seconds in the 2008 Formula Nippon car, less than 5 seconds off Lewis Hamilton's record of 1:18.7

Although the chassis currently lacks mechanical grip, pitching the car in to crowd pleasing slides in slow corners, Andre reckons that the gigantic 6' 4" wide front wing and sculpted sidepods are generating plenty of downforce, keeping the car planted through higher-speed bends. Unfortunately, those advanced aerodynamics won't be able to prevent incidents such as F1 refugee Yuji Ide's aerobatics at Suzuka earlier this year, and super rookie Kohei Hirate's wince inducing flight into the barriers at Motegi a few weeks ago, but the Swift monocoque is even stronger than the 2008 Lola tub that saved those drivers from serious injury.

American-made Formula Nippon car debuts at Fuji originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maruti Suzuki unveils ironically named Swift DZire sedan

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:39:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Suzuki, India

Click above (if you must) for more of the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire

It's a shame that more of Suzuki's line-up isn't as well designed and executed as the nimble little Swift hatchback. But we swear, this was not what we had in mind.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the country's largest automaker and majority owned its the Japanese parent company, has taken the wraps off of the ironically named Swift DZire today, initial spy shots of which we lamented several months ago. Rather contrary to its name, we're left wondering what's so desirable about a trunk that it's worth butchering erstwhile attractive hatchbacks. The resulting conversion ends up looking like the hatch version, only with a tumor growing out the back. Maruti calls its "The Heart Car", but we'll go for the bypass, thank you very much.

More details are available at the DZire micro site, in the press release after the jump, and images in the gallery below for those with bizarre fascinations.

Gallery: Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire

[Source: Maruti Suzuki]

Continue reading Maruti Suzuki unveils ironically named Swift DZire sedan

Maruti Suzuki unveils ironically named Swift DZire sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Formula Nippon cars to be made in USA

Justin Gardiner — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Honda, Toyota

Thirty-odd years ago, Japanese car manufacturers began designing and building cars specifically for the world's largest automotive market place: America. Sadly, the big three never returned the compliment and have yet to design a car tailored to the second largest market: Japan. However, California's Swift Engineering has just won the contract to make all the chassis for Japan's top single-seater racing category, Formula Nippon, and so will be making a tiny dent in Japan's vast automotive trade deficit with America. Or they would be if the cars were road legal.

The new carbon monocoque replaces a steel-framed Lola chassis that the formula has used since becoming a single-make series in 2002, and will be bolted to 600HP+ 3.4L Honda and Toyota engines that are architecturally similar to those used in IRL. The most striking design change is that gaping 6'4" wide front wing which bucks the trend in international single-seater formulae for smaller, less efficient aerodynamic aids.

Will this help the car maintain downforce when drafting down straights and thus encourage overtaking? Let's hope so, but even if it doesn't, we think it looks cool.

[Source: Formula Nippon]

Gallery: 2009 F Nippon

2009 Formula Nippon cars to be made in USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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