HQ News Suzuki Plaza Welcomes 500,000th Visitor In the eight years since its opening in April 2009, Suzuki Plaza has welcomed a half million visitors. President Toshihiro 146 Suzuki welcomed the 500,000th visitor, a family member who Autumn 2017 traveled more than 100km to see the plaza. Visitors who come to the Plaza enjoy learning more about the history and Global Communication Magazine manufacturing roots of Suzuki in Hamamatsu and the surrounding Enshu region, a crossroads of Japanese manufacturing expertise. In his remarks at the ceremony celebrating this milestone, President Toshihiro Suzuki said he is pleased that about 12,000 primary school students visit the Plaza each year and emphasised his hope that the experience of learning about Suzuki’s “monozukuri”, the Japanese art of craftsmanship, DF350A: today and in the past will encourage the students’ interest in manufacturing. All-new WagonR and WagonR Stingray Suzuki’s Gujarat Plant Begins Operation A Revolution in Innovation Launched in Japan On 1st February, Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited, the first 100% automobile manufacturing subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Early this year Suzuki launched the all-new WagonR and Corporation in India, began operation of its plant located in WagonR Stingray minicars in Japan. Roomier and more user Hansalpur in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The plant friendly, hybrid variants of the new models feature a mild currently manufactures the Baleno, Suzuki’s compact hybrid system which lets the vehicle drive solely on its hatchback, which is sold through Maruti Suzuki's NEXA, its electric motor when it starts moving. There are advanced new retail experience channel. Subsequently, the vehicles safety technologies such as the Dual Sensor Brake Support, manufactured at the plant are planned to be exported to and user-friendliness has been enhanced such as umbrella overseas markets including Europe, Africa and Japan from the holders on the inside of both rear doors. Since its introduction neighbouring Mundra Port. in 1993 the WagonR has sold approximately 4.4 million units, making it an iconic presence on Japan’s streets. SUZUKI FAMILY No. Published by: Suzuki Family is always happy to hear from our readers. Please send your letter and photo(s) with Suzuki products to: 146 SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION Suzuki Family Editor English version Global Marketing Administration & Planning 300 Takatsuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Suzuki Motor Corporation (address shown left) Issued date: Autumn 2017 Japan 432-8611 (Letters and photos sent to us cannot be returned, and may be edited for publication.) Printed in Japan on recycled paper DF350A launch event in Florida a resounding success Suzuki unveiled the DF350A on 9th June at a launch event in Boca Raton, Florida. Members of the media, boat builders, distributors and retailers from around the world gathered to witness the launch of this new flagship and experience it through test rides. The response was highly positive and all were impressed with the power, top speed, quietness, and stylish design. The following comment from one attendee sums up the enthusiasm expressed by all. “I think these engines are phenomenal. They’re quiet. They’re fast. They’re beautiful looking. Suzuki has surely hit a home run with the DF350A.” Suzuki Unveils the DF350A: SPECIAL The Ultimate 4-stroke Outboard The DF350A marks the culmination of a major engineering expedition Suzuki embarked on to build the ultimate 4-stroke outboard. Nicknamed「激」GEKI: PARTING SEAS, another name given to this flagship, the DF350A reaches new levels of performance and symbolises the passion and commitment Suzuki engineers dedicated to achieving a revolution in marine innovation. Packed with Suzuki’s most sophisticated technologies, the DF350A opens up a new chapter in the prestigious history of Suzuki outboard innovation. New Technology The Dual Prop System A revolutionary innovation in outboard technology The advances made to increase engine output are Innovation boosts performance, matched by those implemented to optimise the stability and styling shape of the lower unit and design of the propeller. Keenly aware that this meant realising a smaller, Suzuki engineers began with a blank sheet as they set out to boost power more hydrodynamic gear case design, Suzuki’s output and enhance the hydrodynamic performance of the lower unit, all engineers came up with the innovative idea of while delivering this in a stylish, compact design. designing a Dual Prop System. Its contra-rotating The DF350A adopts the highest compression ratio in its class, improving propellers efficiently convert engine output into combustion efficiency and enhancing output. Updated dual injectors further forward thrust and provide more “grip” underwater. promote efficient combustion, while helping to minimise knock. Suzuki’s Also, because they distribute the engine torque innovative Direct Intake System and Dual Louver System keep the tempera- evenly, the torque per propeller decreases and ture of air intake from rising and remove moisture from the intake air. gear diameter can be reduced. The Dual Prop system with contra-rotating propellers is another first on a Suzuki outboard. (See “New Technology” on next page) SUZUKI FAMILY Autumn 2017 02 03 Australian Test Ride High Ratings from Gathers Global Attention Motorcycle Experts To show the new contender for “King of the The GSX-R1000R is an outstanding winner in road Sports Bikes” in action, an international test ride tests. Acclaimed British former TT racer and was coordinated by SAPL (Suzuki Australia Pty., currently UK’s fastest road tester, Michael Rutter, Ltd.) in February at the Phillip Island Grand Prix was clearly delighted in his GSX-R1000R test Circuit. Members of the press from 57 companies report for the UK magazine Performance Bikes. in 16 countries were able to experience close up Writing about the Austin, Texas test ride, Quentin the highly anticipated GSX-R1000R. Legendary Wilson of Motorcycle Daily, commented, “The MotoGP champion rider, Kevin Schwantz, joined thrust in the seat of your pants above 10,000rpm in, riding along with the journalists. is unreal. Suzuki’s new VVT system is superb.” And in comparison tests for MOTORRAD, Suzuki’s GSX-R1000R won a positive reception among critics in a fiercely competitive field that included the BMW S1000RR. The bikes were tested to their limits over extremely demanding courses, but GSX-R1000R came out tops in 0-100M and 0-200M standing start acceleration tests. *This picture was shot with a professional rider in closed course. SPECIAL Suzuki Motorcycles Garner Awards The King is Back! Spain in Spain and Indonesia Indonesia Spain- Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 was recognised as the sportiest motorcycle of 2017 by Spain’s motorcycle journalists. The GSX-R1000/R prestige of this award, voted by experts in the field, is great and As Suzuki’s flagship model, the GSX-R1000 has gained world-wide acclaim since its launch in 2001. At INTERMOT 2016, Suzuki unveiled the eagerly awaited, shows the impact of the GSX-R1000 due to its technological all-new version of its premiere model, the GSX-R1000 and its high-end model components, spectacular power and ergonomics. GSX-R1000R. Since then “The King is Back!” has been heard around the world. Guided by the “King of Sports Bikes” concept, the new model benefited enormously from technical feedback from MotoGP racing. With high yet Indonesia- In Indonesia, the proof of the high reputation of controlled engine power—right across the rev range—an agile chassis that also the GSX-R1000 is the popularity of the GSX-R150 and its variations, the youngest brothers of the series. Otomotif, a promotes stability, as well as easy-to-ride ergonomics, the all-new GSX-R1000/R major Indonesian automotive magazine, has judged Suzuki as is, without question, again worthy of the top position. the winner of four categories. In its 10th year, the prestigious Otomotif Award went to GSX-R150 as the Best New Model and the GSX-S150 as the Best Sport Naked 150cm3 model. Presented at the opening day of the Indonesia International Motor Show in Jakarta, the two other awards both went to the SATRIA F150 which was judged Best Hyper Underbone and Best of the Best Underbone. SUZUKI FAMILY Autumn 2017 04 05 Share If You Feel ‘Wow!’ Suzuki Automobile Global Suzuki Automobile Global Facebook Page: Live! @SuzukiGlobalOfficial There is a lot going on at Suzuki Headquarters and at Suzuki distributors around the world. We have gathered SORATO, Team HAKUTO’s rover to the Moon! some of these exciting developments to share a few 19th April - Check out Japan’s Google Lunar XPRIZE entry, Team moments with you, a little Wow! So why don’t you visit HAKUTO. Google is holding an international contest to travel to the our page which we launched in April. Take a look at moon, drive on its surface and send high resolution images and Want an uplifting mood? some of the pages we show below and our distributors’ videos back to earth. Suzuki is sponsoring Japan’s entry, HAKUTO, th posts on page 15. Look for us at Suzuki Automobile and supports a wide range of fields of HAKUTO’s mission. 26 April - Do you want some excitement? Jump into the world of Global and join Suzuki fans from all over the world. the all-new Swift. Excitement – Create a Wow! GLOBAL OFFI CIAL So adorable and clever! 19th May - Take a look at First Place Winner of the ALLGRIP global Like us on video competition! New plant in India Are you a real 17th July - Great cars, growing market: Suzuki’s new plant in Gujurat, VITARA fan? India, is making cars with Suzuki's Facebook 30th June - Can you put these global standard manufacturing Vitara models in order of age? system and advanced facilities.