SUZUKI AUTUMN 2007 AUTUMN NOW SX4 GOES OFF [ROAD]! CONGRATULATIONS CAMERON GIRLS’ DAY OUT EVENT SWIFT toPS AWards again FUNKY NEW JIMNY ltd 2 NEW dealersHIPS OPEN vitara DRIVE day NEAR YOU cover STORY More than just ‘a pretty face’ Motoring journalists around the country are raving about Suzuki’s newest kid on the block – the SX4. 2 “ThIS IS ONE HELL OF A GOOD LOOKING experience to the next level. This feature CAR. It has enough real 4WD cues in the particularly impressed motoring journalist styling to satisfy the macho image, but Rob Maetzig ‘…when road conditions get … combines a sedan look so it is also tight or unsealed, it is a breeze to flick into stylish. On looks alone, this is going to the automatic or locked AWD modes which be another winner for Suzuki. But there make the driving sensation even more is more to the SX4 than a pretty face.” secure. That’s what makes the new SX4 NZ Driver Magazine. something rather special’ Indeed, there is plenty of substance behind Forty-five leading motoring journalists from this very good-looking exterior. around the world also agree that the SX4 is rather special – as they have selected it The SX4 is offered standard with 4WD and as one of the top ten finalists in the 2007 a 2-litre petrol engine – similar to the World Car of the Year award. It is one of one in the Grand Vitara. There is a choice only two Japanese cars in the top ten – the of 5-speed manual transmission and an other is the Lexus LS 460. Other finalists electronic 4-stage automatic for the 4.14 include the Audi Q7, Audi TT, Jaguar XK, metre long car. Mercedes CL, Mini and Citroen. The interior dimensions are generous and So the SX4 is keeping very good company there is plenty of leg and shoulder room indeed and is in showrooms now with for both front and rear occupants that prices starting from $24,500. easily accommodates taller people. Access is eased by high ground clearance, large door openings and higher than usual seat positioning – which makes it really easy to get in and out of. “Unlike crossover vehicles, which are developed from sports utility vehicles and lose some of their off road ability, the SX4 originates from a passenger vehicle platform and gains four-wheel drive traits,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing at Suzuki. Journalist Dave Moore believes “the new SX4 has a package that *** NEWS FLASH *** most of us can identify with.” He goes on to say “…the new Suzy has the outdoors The new SX4 rally car being developed stamped all over it.” by Nobuhiro (Monster) Tajima for Suzuki’s entry into the World Rally Championships One of the biggest advancements in design is nearing completion. of the SX4 is Suzuki’s newly developed The car’s first WRC round will be the i-AWD system (intelligent All Wheel Rally of France on October 12–14, followed by the Rally of Great Britain in November. Drive). Intelligence is the dominant gene in the SX4 and i-AWD takes the driving 3 swift NEWS Cast and crew filming the new Swift TV ad. IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE CHEEKY new TV commercial for the Cheeky new Swift ad... Swift – then look out for it because it’s a cracker. It was made in Auckland in late January and went to air in February. Creative Director Alan Galbraith from Suzuki’s advertising agency Promotus who produced the ad told us, “The actors totally sum up the fun, energy and humour of Swift owners – and really echo the ‘Life is Good’ message.” Galbraith, who also wrote and recorded the catchy soundtrack, reckons he could have sold a new Swift to everyone in the film crew. “They all loved the car and wanted to take it home!” he said. Keep watching for more great ads for Suzuki this year. Congratulations Cameron winners TOP SPORTSMAN CAMERON BRown has Triathlete since the renowned Erin Baker. He added another title to his already impressive created history by winning the New Zealand list of sporting successes by winning the NZ Ironman a record six times and has also NEWS Ironman in Taupo in March. podium placed in the Hawaii Ironman World He took a break from training for the tough Championships three years in a row, only the German Ironman where he will arrive as second athlete in the world to achieve this feat. defending champion in July, to take delivery of his brand new Grand Vitara. “Without great support from companies like Suzuki I’d never get the top international results that come from being able to dedicate more quality time to training.” Cameron began his Triathlon career in Devonport in 1987 – twenty years later he has gone on to become New Zealand’s greatest Ironman Girls’ Day Out It was handbags at dawn when it was announced that a Suzuki SX4 was being given away at the recent Girl’s Day Out extravaganza. Over 7,000 people rushed to enter the draw at this popular event in Auckland. The Suzuki stand was a real draw during the three-day show with visitors raving about the great designs and funky shapes of the cars and scooters on display. Michelle Fung, the winner of the SX4 couldn’t believe her luck – in fact she made her boyfriend call up and check that she had actually won, and that it wasn’t an early April Fool’s Day prank. The Suzuki stand at Girls’ Day Out 4 4wd Pete Ritchie (second from the left), running through the ins and NEWS outs at a Grand Vitara Drive Day Eighth win for Monster Tajima NobuHIRO (MonstER) Tajima anD Suzuki GRAND VitaRA reinforced their reputation as Suzuki Grand Vitara champions of New Zealand’s most famous hill climb motor sport event during the Easter weekend. For the eighth time Tajima dominated 4WD Drive Series the International Silverstone Race to the Sky near Queenstown. PETE RITCHIE IS A CHARismatiC KIWI BLOKE who is passionate about teaching safe and sensible 4WD use. Tajima’s powerful Suzuki Grand Vitara special proved “I speak ordinary kiwi language to ordinary kiwi people. too fast for the 118 competitors. The 56-year-old A lot of people don’t know what their 4WD vehicles can Japanese veteran was a clear winner posting a time do – so I explain it in plain English, then take them out of 8 minutes 3.9 seconds for the challenging 15- and show them. They can feel it and they can see it.” kilometre climb on the Waiorau Snow Farm Road. Pete and his partner Deb run the Suzuki Grand Vitara Drive Days to show owners or prospective purchasers just what Monster first won the race in 1998 with a time of the vehicles are capable of. “Many people don’t know what 8 minutes 13.6 seconds, and his 2007 success is ABS or BDC means – but when we take them out and show his fifth successive victory in the event. On each them, then it all comes clear” occasion Tajima has driven a modified Suzuki. The drive series came about after Pete was asked to train Suzuki vehicle sales staff on what all the different ‘bits’ in the Grand Vitara did. “Once they’d learnt this, they were in a position to talk to prospective customers with conviction from a point of real knowledge. The sales staff realised there was real value in offering this experience to others – which is when the Drive Days started.” If you’re interested in taking part in the hour and a half course, contact your local Suzuki dealer. Courses are run regularly throughout New Zealand. Jimny Limited SUZUKI HAVE RELEasED A NEW, FUNKY JIMNY MODEL with a number of extra features to make this fun-loving favourite even more appealing, including keyless entry, air conditioning, remote locking, electrics, fog lamps and alloy wheels. Prices are $21,500 for manual, and $22,990 for automatic. 5 customer NEWS The Baker’s half dozen Martin, Fred, Eliza, Suzy, Mavis and Gertrude all work for the bakery’s logo and famous Smiley Pie – create a real stir as McGregor’s Bakery in Wanaka. Not only are they popular and they buzz around town. Bernie Sugrue from McGregor’s says hard working, they never want a wage increase. The perfect “When I was looking at which vehicles to buy for the bakery employee you might think? Yes, except the stars of this little I was struck by the style of the Swift – they’re a bit cheeky bakery aren’t human, they’re the team of Suzukis owned by and that really fits with our brand imaging. And the amount of McGregor’s, The five Swifts and APV van - all branded with comment they generate around town is amazing.” 15 vehicles and counting… HYSPECS (HYDRauLIC SPECIALTIES LtD) IS ONE OF NEW ZEALANd’S LEADING IMPORTERS of hydraulic components and designers of hydraulic systems. With offices in both the North and South Islands and offering service and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week they need a reliable fleet of vehicles - which is why they chose the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Their fleet of 15 Vitaras do over half a million kilometres each year – over all sorts of terrain and in all sorts of weather. Marketing and IT Manager Nick Cottier says “Not only are the vehicles reliable and comfortable, but with their Hyspecs graphics and the distinctive shape they have real stand out value - they’re like mobile billboards.”.