100 Years of Suzuki

Suzuki Motor Corporation has turned 100 this October. The car company is at present the world’s ninth largest car manufacturer.

The Japanese car giant began as Suzuki Loom Company in 1909 in Hamamatsu, Southern Japan. It was founded by Michio Suzuki who developed a unique loom capable of weaving patterned cloth from dyed yarn. His new innovation represented the start of an uncompromising focus on creating products that meet people’s needs and realize new lifestyle possibilities.

The car ventured in to the automobile sector in 1952 with the production motorcycles with the ‘Power Free’ using a 36cc two stroke engine. Three years after the motorcycles, Suzuki kicked off its car production with the Suzulight. It was compact car with a 360cc two-stroke engine and was one of the first cars to feature front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and rack and pinion steering.

Suzuki’s off-road vehicle heritage began in 1970 with the launch of the LJ series lightweight 4×4. The first marine outboard motor was introduced in 1965, then pre-fabricated houses in 1974, general-purpose engines in 1980 and its first All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in 1982.

One of the essential elements to Suzuki’s growth has been its commitment to continuing research and technology, to meet its customers changing needs. What was once a small group of dedicated engineers, designing the world’s finest weaving machinery, has today grown into a worldwide company of almost 50,000 people, who create and distribute products in more than 190 nations.

As it enters its 100th year, Suzuki will continue its tradition of technological trailblazing and appealing to customers who demand unique design, value, reliability and superior engineering.

Through its 100-year history, Suzuki Motor Corporation has earned the distinction of manufacturing automobile and motorcycle products that offer excellent value for money as well as exceptional reliability.

New Maruti SX4 Launched

Delayed for over two weeks, the new Maruti Suzuki SX4 has still not lost its fervour. The wait is over and the Maruti SX4 has been finally launched. The main attraction of the SX4 is that the engine of the SX4 is equipped with an advanced variable valve timing (VVT) technology.

The SX4 is an attempt of Maruti Suzuki to wipe out the different assumptions about the brand that is prevailing in the car market. The popular notion is that Maruti is not a great performer when it comes to the big cars. And with other major companies such as Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota striving hard to satisfy the ever growing demands of the customers, Maruti will be in no time pushed to the wall as a small car manufacturer alone. This fear of the company might me the driving force behind the company’s new launch.


Maruti Suzuki has also introduced a 4-speed automatic transmission. The VVT technology guarantees that there is no shortage of power or wastage leading to improved optimized fuel consumption, engine efficiency, and lesser carbon emissions. The advanced VVT technology helps in starting the car accelerating it and climbing steep slopes better.

The SX4 is an environment friendly car that complies with the BS IV regulation, which will be effective from April 2010. It is among first cars in the A-3 segment that abide by the BS IV regulation of emission.

The SX4 has a more efficient engine that gives a mileage of 15.6 km per litre of petrol. The 1.6 litre engine produces a maximum power of 104.68ps @5600 rpm and a high torque of 145Nm @4100 rpm. The new SX4 has been made vibrant with a brand-new sporty honeycomb grille and 10-spoke 16 inch alloy wheels and dual tones interiors and plush upholstery.

The 4-speed automatic transmission is the best choice for city drive. A smooth and sporty drive allows an easy down-shift and effortless up-shift. A cluster of computer controlled sensors continuously administers the throttle input and optimize the engine response accordingly, thus requiring no changing of gears.

The new SX4 has two-tone beige colour interiors. At night, the steering mounted controls are illuminated for effortless usage. There is also new provision of USB connectivity on the dashboard.

The SX4 also has auto climate control system, windshield antenna, illuminated key insert, and variable instrument illumination.

The new SX4 is available in 2 transmissions namely manual and automatic. The two variants in manual transmission are VXi and ZXi. The SX4 is now available in seven metallic colours namely Azure Grey, Pearl Arctic White, French Éclair, Oyster Blue, Clear Beige, Silky Silver and Midnight Black.

The SX4 VXi manual is priced at 6.68 lakh, SX4 ZXi manual at 7.37 lakh, SX4 ZXi leather at 7.71, SX4 ZXi 4-speed automatic at 8.02 lakh, and SX4 ZXi leather 4-speed automatic at 8.36 lakh.