Some of the industrial giants in Japan make all sorts of things. Yamaha, for example, makes everything from motorbikes to grand pianos. Honda does lawnmowers, business jets and everything in between. Suzuki does cars and they do outboard motors. But seldom do these competencies overlap. Feast your eyes, then, on the exception.
The brainchild of a group of students from Ohio Technical College, the Suzuki Grand Vitara Marine Concept is making its debut at SEMA in Las Vegas right now. The idea was to bring Suzuki's automotive and marine powertrain divisions together in one package, but we kinda wish they hadn't.
The vehicle features an open roof, motorboat-style side glass, a big brush guard, knobby tires, a nautical-style radar arch, a rather strange bass boat paint job and – for some reason – an outboard engine hanging off the back. So does that mean it's amphibious? Not quite. Which means if you drive it into the water, it will, in all likelihood, sink to the bottom. Hmmm....
SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MARINE CONCEPT DEBUTS AT 2011 SEMA SHOW
- Ohio Technical College builds nautical-themed Grand Vitara
- Grand Vitara Marine Concept will be displayed at Ohio Technical College SEMA Booth #38149
CLEVELAND (Oct. 31, 2011) – Quality, dependability and innovation are qualities that can be used to describe any one of American Suzuki Motor Corporation's (ASMC) three exceptional divisions – Automobile, Motorcycle/ATV and Marine – and their respective product offerings. At the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, students at Ohio Technical College (OTC) have used a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara as a canvas to highlight two of Suzuki's popular brands with its head-turning, nautical-inspired Grand Vitara Marine Concept, which will be displayed at OTC's show exhibit, #38149 in the Upper Level of South Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Nov. 1-4.
"The Grand Vitara Marine Concept exemplifies the unique combination of passion and innovation, and we couldn't be more pleased with the finished product," said Jeff Holland, director of public relations and social media, American Suzuki. "It was a pleasure working with the students at Ohio Technical College, and we hope this motivates other groups to creatively express themselves and the passion they have for Suzuki and the automotive industry."
The Grand Vitara Marine Concept offers a unique convertible design, along with an imaginative exterior paint scheme intended to appeal to any waterman. In addition, the one-of-a-kind Grand Vitara project vehicle features a Suzuki outboard motor on the back of the SUV and other fabricated modifications to make it resemble a boat. Additional aesthetic and functional enhancements provided by aftermarket accessories partners Stylin' Trucks, ARB, Square One Energy and Hydro Fuel 2 Go include:
- Oversized chrome wheels
- Toyo off-road tires
- Suspension lift
- Bull bar bumper with winch
- Ocean liner horn
- Bar side steps
- Hood scoop
- Shaved door handle kit
- Back-up camera
- Chrome exhaust tips
- Surfboard rear view mirror
- DVD headrest entertainment system
- LED underbody and headlights
- Hydro cell provided by Hydro Fuel 2 Go
- Hydrogen generator electronics provided by Square One Energy
"After a successful project build with the customized Hot Wheels inspired 1957 Chevy Bel Air for industry veteran Vic Edelbrock, we were very excited to start this project vehicle with Suzuki," said Tom King, director of enrollment management, OTC. "This project will provide OTC students in our Restoration, Automotive and our Custom Paint and Graphics Programs with another unique learning opportunity in vehicle modification."
Following its debut at the 2011 SEMA Show, the Grand Vitara Marine Concept will be featured in Suzuki's booth at upcoming auto shows and other events, as well as OTC's exhibit at various AutoRama events throughout 2012.
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