suzuki

A first look at the Maruti Suzuki Ritz

Zigwheels calls the Maruti Suzuki Ritz "practical, sporty and a little fun." Here is a first look at Maruti Suzuki's sixth global car.

The Ritz, known as Splash in Europe, is available this month and is positioned to compete with Hyundai's i10 and i20, and Skoda's Fabia.

Suzuki SX4 WRC compilation (video)

The thing I love the most about WRC rallying is that the vehicles often have the most humble beginnings. Case in point: The Suzuki SX4 WRC, which is based on the same platform as the unassuming Suzuki SX4 Sport we tested recently.

The SX4 WRC features a turbocharged 2-liter four-banger, an all-wheel-drive system, and a beefier suspension that can handle the abuses of off-road driving. It has, of course, lost the full interior--there's no SuzukiTRIP to guide you to your destination. In it's place you have an actual navigator in the passenger seat. There's also no stereo … Read more

2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport, a cabin tech oddity

When most people see the 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport, they don't immediately think about the Japanese automaker's rally pedigree. They don't think about high-revving turbocharged powerplants or all-wheel drive vehicles that are in this car's DNA. Instead, they think of a cheap econo-box, which is a shame, because there is a lot to like about this modest little sedan.

For one, the SX4 Sport comes standard with an unconventional, but (as we learned) very useful, navigation system. It matches its competition for handling and outclasses them in power. The SX4 Sport also gets four-wheel disc brakes, … Read more

Suzuki shows off two fuel-cell vehicles

Suzuki showed off a couple of hydrogen-powered vehicles at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. One was based on the relatively new SX-4 model, and the other, in good Suzuki style, was a motorcycle concept called the Crosscage. Both vehicles use electric motors to drive their wheels, and fuel cells combining hydrogen and oxygen to generate the electricity to run those motors. Suzuki has previously built three fuel cell vehicles based on different models.

The base SX-4 is a small, all-wheel-drive car with an economical engine. As the current Suzuki FCV, it gets a 68 kilowatt motor which most likely only … Read more

Photos: Tiny fuel savers at the 2008 Paris Motor Show

Rising world-wide gas prices triggered automakers to release a new generation of small city cars at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. These cars range from the diminutive Toyota iQ to the more conventionally-sized Hyundai i20. Engine sizes go from 1 up to 1.5 liters, with fuel economies between 40 and 50 miles per gallon. Not much cabin tech is available in these cars, although, judging from its steering wheel buttons, the new generation Ford Ka might be getting the Sync system.

Click here for photos of tiny city cars unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

See all coverage of the 2008 Paris Motor Show. … Read more

Review: 2008 Suzuki XL7 Limited

The 2008 Suzuki XL7 Limited is about as much crossover SUV as you can get for the money. Its ride quality and cabin materials might not be on a par with those of other models in the segment, but the XL7 Limited does pack an impressive payload of features--including one safety-tech system that we've not seen anywhere else.

Read the review.

Why Sega should revive the Shenmue series

In the world of Sega and especially the Dreamcast, few video game series were able to live up to the considerable hype that preceded them. And while some critics thought Shenmue was nothing more than a poor attempt at writing a real saga, others knew better. And although the chances of seeing this series come back to today's consoles are slim, it should and it must.

So what is Shenmue? Shenmue is the result of $70 million and countless of hours of development that were summed up in one simple statement at the beginning of the saga:

"He shall come from a far eastern land across the sea. A young man who has yet to know his potential. This potential is a power that could either destroy him or realize his will. His courage shall determine his fate. The path he must traversed brought with adversity. I await whilst praying, for this destiny predetermined since ancient times. Awaiting in anticipation. A dragon emerges from the earth as ominous clouds fill the sky. A phoenix descends from the heavens trailing purple from its wings. The pitch-black night unfolds with the morning star as its only light. And thus, the saga begins....."

And it's that saga that not only revolutionized gaming, but kept millions across the globe captivated by the story of Ryo Hazuki, a young man who watched his father die at the hands of the Lan Di in 1986. From there, this Japanese man set out to find the man who killed his father, solve the mystery of why his father was killed and seek revenge.

Although a few simple paragraphs may not do this story justice, those that have played the titles and want to lead Ryo in his quest know that there would be no greater moment than to hear Sega announce that the next installment in the series is coming soon.… Read more

Photos: Concept cars from New York

A number of companies showed off design concepts at the 2008 New York auto show, including the third in the Kizashi series from Suzuki, a rare one from Scion, and a coupe from Kia.

Click here for photos of concepts from the New York auto show.

Click here for more 2008 New York auto show coverage.

Suzuki builds one for the surfers

One of the more ridiculous concepts at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show is the Suzuki Makai. This car started life as an SX4 Sport edition, but its top was cut off, making it a converted rather than a convertible. A couple of surfboards are mounted on top and might offer some of the protection of a real roof. Surfboards and car are painted a shade of orange suitable for road construction equipment.

The interior features what are probably the most uncomfortable car seats ever devised. They consist of leather belts stretched across a tubular frame, making it a step … Read more