The Crittenden Automotive Library

Suzuki Shine With SUV

Topics: Suzuki iV-4

Suzuki Shine With SUV

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
September 10, 2013

DriveWrite has always had a soft spot for Suzuki. For some reason, until recently, the brand has never really been a huge seller in the UK despite making good cars. The Swift has changed that but nevertheless the brand has been fairly low profile. The Jimny definitely has a bit of a following. Average on road, take it onto some rough stuff and it is like a little mountain goat with true off-road ability that makes it a decent rural ride.

On the basis that what the world needs is some more SUVs, Suzuki has announced its latest new compact SUV concept model, the iV-4, which can be seen at the Frankfurt Show. Since launching the LJ series in 1970, Suzuki has expanded its SUV line-up with the Vitara in 1988, Jimny in 1998, and Grand Vitara in 2005. Now the company introduces the iV-4, a concept model that embodies a new automotive idea: the personal compact SUV.

Under the "Grab your field" concept, iV-4 is heir to Suzuki’s DNA in sports utility vehicles (SUV). It’s set apart by its powerful exterior design, which taps into the tradition of Suzuki’s compact SUVs. And it’s every bit as tough and rugged as an SUV should be, truly empowering its user to "Grab your field". In line with the current trend this concept is designed to be personalised, so that customers can turn it into a car which is just right for them and their lifestyle. “i” stands for “individuality”, “V” for “vehicle”, and “4” for “4 wheel-drive”. That’s it in the image in all its metallic glory and it certainly looks a bit special. SUVs tend to follow a shape that has made some of them a tad samey but this iV-4 does have a unique look.

The production model based on the iV-4 aims to be an SUV for the present day: light in weight and boasting among the lowest CO2 emissions in its class. And besides being eco-friendly, the four-wheel drive model will come equipped with ALLGRIP, the next generation of 4WD technology, in order to deliver the powerful drive the user expect of an SUV. It will thus offer a combination of design and off-road performance that goes beyond a typical city SUV. Suzuki will start launching the production model, based on this iV-4 concept model, at Magyar Suzuki in 2015 and will be releasing it in Europe. Let’s hope it looks like the concept.