Press Releases

Suzuki at 2008 SEMA Show

SUZUKI ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS TO SEE MO’ AT SEMA


  • Suzuki pushes performance of five-door SX4 Crossover to the limit with SX4t Turbo Concept.


  • Suzuki Equator Quad and SXForce LIVE vehicles illustrate company’s go-anywhere/do-anything brand personality.


  • Stylish SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara flaunt concept- and production-based accessory line.


BREA, Calif. – (Oct. 28, 2008) – American Suzuki Motor Corp. showcases a collection of performance-driven and lifestyle-oriented products at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show, including the media-acclaimed SX4t Turbo Concept, adventure-ready Equator Quad concept pickup truck, sportbike-inspired SXForce concept and fully customized B-King motorcycle. To further appeal to aftermarket enthusiasts, Suzuki displays an assortment of its style-enhancing Genuine Suzuki Accessories for the 2008 SX4 Crossover and 2009 Grand Vitara.


“Suzuki products inspire enthusiasm and ignite personal passions while at the same time providing a simple, straightforward and stress-free ownership and operating experience,” said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing, PR and product planning, American Suzuki Automotive Operations.  “The original, expressive personality of auto enthusiasts at SEMA fits well with our brand personality, and the concepts we’ve brought to this year’s show melds our brand with this culture seamlessly.”


SX4t Turbo Concept

Suzuki takes the SX4 Crossover’s outstanding capability to the next level in performance with the SX4t Turbo Concept, which recently was featured in the November 2008 issue of Sport Compact Car. Upfitted with a 16G GT3 Turbo and Tial 38mm Wastegate kit from Road Race Motorsports, the SX4 engine’s stock 143 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque are upgraded to 221 horsepower and 208 lb-ft of torque. Road Race’s GRIP springs and a rear sway bar help control the significant upgrade in horsepower, while slotted front discs and performance brake pads enhance deceleration.

Simplifying some of the exterior lines and removing the roof rack resulted in a sleek, unified appearance. Road Race installed its own CarbonTrix carbon fiber hood, and provided the SX4’s roof and A, B, C and D pillars with a complementary dark metallic gray finish. Suzuki’s Quicksilver metallic remains the primary color south of the greenhouse, visually meshing with Rota’s 17-inch five-spoke wheels surrounded by 225/45/R17 Yokohama Advan Neova tires.


On the interior, front seats benefit from a custom bolster, and both front and rear seats are recovered, featuring new fabric inserts, which continue the exterior’s silver metallic theme. To further accentuate the SX4’s performance intent, the driver’s contact points are enhanced by a JDM Suzuki Swift sport steering wheel, Road Race sequential-style shift knob and billet-drilled pedal set from Genuine Suzuki Accessories. The SX4t Turbo Concept also features a Rockford Fosgate audio system with enhanced amp, speakers and subwoofer.


Equator Quad Concept

Based on the award-winning 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck, which recently was named 4-Wheel & Off-Road’s “4X4 of the Year,” the Suzuki Quad Concept is fully equipped to accommodate a recreational outdoor lifestyle. Developed by Torrance, Calif.-based Andry Specialty Vehicles, and built to resemble the Suzuki QuadRunner ATV, the Equator concept comes outfitted with a Crew Cab and military “look and feel.” In addition to a custom paint job and a 2.5-inch inch front end lift, the exterior of the truck has been modified with a set of 500 series fog lamps, a safari-style front bumper, front skid plate and tubular rocker guards. To enhance the vehicle’s overall appearance and performance, the Quad Concept is equipped with Yokohama Geolander tires that ride on 17-inch custom aluminum wheels and features Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components.


SXForce Concept

Reinforcing the link between the company’s rich motorcycle heritage and versatile lineup of automobiles, the sportbike-inspired SXForce Concept was designed for both two- and four-wheel enthusiasts. The SX4 Sport-based concept boasts a powerful 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission.

The exterior shell of the SXForce Concept features a striking blend of carbon fiber, Flash Pearl White and Orange Metallic paint and showcases a number of performance-based automotive parts and stunning motorcycle accents, including sportbike-style side rearview mirrors and dual exhaust, also found on the championship-winning GSX-R1000.


The fully drivable, track-tested SXForce Concept receives several performance enhancements, including a fully tuned performance suspension system, F1-style outlet gills to help underhood air flow, tailored rear bodywork with carbon fiber diffuser, CarbonTrix rear wing, Tein coilover suspension height and damper setup, and reinforced structure to further enhance rigidity for optimal handling. The SXForce is outfitted with 18-inch Enkei racing wheels, a staggered high-performance Toyo T1-R tire package – 225/45/R18 in the front and 235/40/R18 in the rear – and Rotora six-piston calipers with two-piece 355mm rotors.


The motorcycle theme continues inside the SXForce Concept, beginning with suede and leather seats and interior appointments, mimicking sportbike leathers. Other interior enhancements include motorcycle instrument cluster and controls, roof air intake for optimal breathing and a revised track-themed interior, featuring carbon fiber components and accents. Engine vitals are monitored via a Zeitronix ZT-2 wideband data logger. All vital engine parameters are logged on a laptop and viewed on the ZT-2 gauge mounted on Suzuki Hayabusa handlebars. The SXForce Concept is equipped with an integrated Garmin navigation system, and its rear seats have been removed and replaced by a high-output Rockford-Fosgate audio system.


Suzuki Genuine Accessories

Complementing Suzuki’s versatile, eye-catching vehicle lineup, the company provides a wide array of Suzuki Genuine Accessories – a line of style-enhancing trim packages and add-ons designed to personalize Suzuki cars and trucks sold in the United States.


In addition to interior and exterior extras designed to turn heads, including a collection of custom wheels, exhaust tips, body kits and carbon fiber and wood trim options, Suzuki offers an assortment of features designed to enhance vehicle versatility and onboard entertainment. Most popular are Suzuki’s cargo-carrying offerings, including roof racks and compartments for skis, snowboards, kayaks and bicycles, in addition to the company’s electronic accessories, such as adaptor kits for iPod® digital music players and Bluetooth® wireless modules. Suzuki Genuine Accessories can be purchased through local Suzuki dealers.



Suzuki SX4 Crossover SGA and Suzuki Grand Vitara SGA

Suzuki showcases a number of pre-production performance-enhancing parts and interior and exterior accessories for the sporty SX4 Crossover and popular Grand Vitara.


Concept Accessories:

  • Cat back Exhaust – Features stainless steel design, improves horsepower and offers deep performance tone that remains 50 state “sound level legal” (included on the SX4 Crossover).  

  • Cold Air Intake – Intake system improves horsepower and offers performance pitch (included on the SX4 Crossover).  

  • Sport Suspension – Lowers ride height (approx. 1.5 inches) for a firmer ride (included on the SX4 Crossover).  

  • Alloy Wheels – Custom-designed 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, available in a chrome finish or machined surface with black paint.  Includes chrome lug nuts and Suzuki center cap (included on the SX4 Crossover).  


Suzuki Genuine Accessories:

  • Silver finish front grille – Front grille replaces original black version and matches the lower bumper trim on the SX4 Crossover (included on the SX4 Crossover).  

  • Carbon fiber dash and door sill trim – Dash and door sill trim accents made of real carbon-fiber weave material with an exterior-grade urethane topcoat and screened SX4 logo are available in three different colors or a brushed aluminum finish to coordinate or contrast with the interior of the SX4 Crossover (included on the SX4 Crossover).

  • Bluetooth® module – The Suzuki-integrated hands-free Bluetooth phone system features a clean installation, fresh look and works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. Quality sound plays through the vehicle’s factory stereo and speakers, and the phone system automatically mutes the radio during phone calls (included on the SX4 Crossover).

  • Roof racks and accessory modules – Securely transports skis, snowboards and other lifestyle-oriented equipment (included on the Grand Vitara).

  • iPod® interface kit – Provides a seamless connection from an iPod to the vehicle’s radio and/or steering-wheel audio controls (included on both the SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara).

  • XM Satellite Radio® kit – Everything needed to plug in and listen, including tuner, harness and antenna – monthly subscription required (included on both the SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara).

  • Billet sport pedals – Lightweight, aluminum and non-slip rubber inserts add sporty accent to vehicle’s pedals (included on both the SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara).


  • Rear spoiler – Rally-inspired rear deck spoiler is molded in sturdy, lightweight polyurethane and is available color-matched to the SX4 Crossover (included on both the SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara).

  • Hood mask – Custom-fit hood mask made of durable vinyl and soft fleece backing helps protect the front of the SX4 Crossover from damage caused by minor road debris (included on both the SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara).

  • Rear bumper protector – Adhesive-backed applique to help protect from minor nicks and scratches (included on both the SX4 Crossover and Grand Vitara).


About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 400 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states.  With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2007, SMC sold more than two million new cars and trucks and more than three million motorcycles and ATVs.  Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries and regions.  For more information, visit www.media.suzuki.com.


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Media Contacts

Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, jeff.holland@suz.com

David Boldt, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, david.boldt@suz.com