Splash, from £8,999 on the road, starting at group 3 insurance. 0% Finance is available on the Splash over 2 years.

· New design based on platform of best selling Swift

· Efficient, Suzuki manufactured, petrol and diesel engines

· Six airbags and ESP®available

· Built in ultra-modern factory in Hungary

· World debut at 2007 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt

www.newsuzukisplash.co.uk ( Suzuki Splash Microsite)

Suzuki Motor Corporation, the world leader in the compact car segment, introduces Splash, an all-new compact model aimed at building on the success of the loveable Swift. Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is the fourth all new Suzuki model within just three years, and it epitomises Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life!’ philosophy, underpinning its strategy of building cars that excite customers all over the world.

Splash for Europe will be built in Esztergom, Hungary, by Magyar Suzuki Corporation, a Suzuki subsidiary that already builds Swift, SX4 and Ignis. Suzuki will also be manufacturing the second generation Agila for Opel/Vauxhall at this plant. With identical engineering, the main visual differences between Splash and Agila include different styling at front (bonnet, wings, headlamps and bumper) and rear (tailgate, tail lights and bumper).

Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe. Opened in 1992, the Esztergom factory has produced over one million Suzukis to date.

Splash cannot be considered to be the successor of the Wagon R+, the enlarged version of the Wagon Rwhich in 1993 was originally developed for the Japanese market, and later also introduced in Europe. “Based on completely different criteria, Splash’s design is mainly tailored to the requirements of European customers,” explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project’s Chief Engineer. Splash comes with attractive styling, compact dimensions, responsive handling, very good build quality and a high degree of environmental compatibility.

While the focus of Phase one of Suzuki’s “World-Strategy” was on sportiness, Splash is the first model in Phase two which will focus on young families as its main target group. Apart from fresh and sporty styling, young couples with and without children attach great importance to attributes such as spaciousness, flexibility and economy.

Rather than a purely functional box shape, the designers have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and zesty, energetic performance.

The styling team for Splash was headed by Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV.

It soon became clear that whilst it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV this car must keep all of its advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and great flexibility allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into a substantial stowage space.

In order to get up-to-date information, a group of 10 Suzuki designers from Japantravelled to Germanyin January, 2004 to spend a period of six months there. They analysed European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design.

Out of their impressions and findings, they finally distilled three models, which, in so-called ‘car clinics’, were then presented to audiences of owners of compact cars and MPVs. In the end, these audiences favoured the model offering the optimum combination of dynamic sportiness with youthful styling, implying a positive attitude to life and maximum suitability for everyday and recreational use.

At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented ‘Project Splash’, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Splash.

One thing is certain: Splash will be a major player in the mini-MPV segment. While ideally suited to tight parking conditions, the 3.72 m-long car nevertheless offers sufficient space for up to five occupants plus plenty of sports and leisure equipment.

Apart from attractive styling, a cute minicar also requires the best engineering. This includes safe and precise handling, outstanding ride comfort, a high degree of environmental compatibility, and optimum passive and active safety. Hence Splash uses a 30 mm shorter wheelbase version of the Swift’s platform, Suzuki’s current best seller.

The chassis, steering and brakes were adapted to the new parameters in extensive tests, which included tens of thousands of miles of testing over various types of European roads, from English cobblestones, through twisty southern Spanish tracks to fast German autobahns.

Splash will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in Spring, 2008. Customers will have the choice of three engines – two petrol and a diesel. The petrol units are 100% Suzuki designs, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit producing 65 PS (48 kW) and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 86 PS (63 kW). Both are of advanced four-valve-per-cylinder design, offering a sophisticated combination of smoothness, low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.3-litre common-rail direct injection engine available with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Producing 75 PS(55 kW), this 4-cylinder unit is manufactured by Suzuki at its new diesel engine plant in Indiaunder licence from Fiat Group Automobiles.

All three engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 86 PS petrol version can also be ordered with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Given the stricter standards now being demanded with respect to environmental compatibility, all engines are Euro4-compliant, with CO2emissions between 120 and 140 g/km in combination with manual transmissions.

Safety  

Suzuki has given great consideration of safety measures in the design of Splash. Active safety features include ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and ESP®. Passive safety features include: six airbags (dual front side airbags and curtain airbags), a crash-optimised, rigid passenger cell, plus seatbelt-force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. For enhanced pedestrian protection the front end of Splash is fitted with energy-absorbing structures.

FOR a taste of how mini-MPVs are going to progress over the next few years, then take a look at the new Suzuki Splash.Built at the Suzuki factory in Hungary and related to the equally new Vauxhall Agila, the Splash makes a major statement in terms of economy.It offers a 1.3 diesel capable of 62.8mpg, qualifying for £35 annual VED and exemption from London congestion charge from October 27. And then there is the 1.2 petrol which is not far behind at 51.4mpg.With fuel prices as they are, any small car that does not measure up to these figures will soon feel the pinch.But the Splash scores in other areas too.It goes beyond the norm by being marketed as a mini-MPV rather than a hatchback. This it does with style. A full five-seater, it offers masses of interior space for its size, including generous headroom for front and rear passengers. One of its greatest assets is ease of access. Apart from its obvious appeal to younger drivers, I can see this model making a real splash with senior citizen motorists and in addition it achieves that tricky combination of combining height with attractive styling.

Suzuki was once one of those ‘alternative’ brands as far as cars were concerned, only ever making big headlines with 4x4s like the Vitara.But in today’s automotive marketplace things happen fast and another recent Suzuki product, the new Swift, put this company on the fast track of affordable style.The Splash is actually built on the Swift platform and features the same sure-footed handling and driving enjoyment.It is the company’s first model made for Europe and costs between £8,500 and £10,500.But don’t think the price indicates a basic car, because it boasts refinement all the way with traction control and multiple airbags, comprehensive sound system including MP3 compatibility and air conditioning all fitted as standard.With 4,500 sales expected this year, the Splash is likely to help power a rise in the number of Suzuki dealers to help fuel its accelerating popularity.Inside, the Splash it is far from boring with some lively silver trim elements and colour-coded inserts on the fascia doors and seats.A large diameter speedo is complemented by a novel tachometer in its own housing on top of the dash. This last feature may seem a little gimmicky but it all adds to the image.

If I have a criticism it is that the boot is small, but it can easily be extended when the rear seats are folded forward to create up to 573 litres of space.I was impressed by the ride comfort and the overall pleasant driving qualities of the Splash. It is one of those cars where boredom is not an option.Buyers of the petrol version have a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.In the past I have been a critic of Suzuki build quality - especially after a rear window sprung out of a Vitara while on an off road course some years ago. But there has been a sea change in the way this manufacturer operates and its current products are up there with names it could not even think of equalling in days gone by.

The New Splash

3 year/24 hour UK and European roadside assistance

12 year perforation warranty

FAST FACTS

Suzuki Splash 1.2 GLS 5dr Price: £8,999 Mechanical: 86ps, 1,242cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox Max speed: 109mph 0-62mph: 12.3 secs Combined mpg: 51.4 Insurance group: 3 CO2 emissions: 131g/km BiK rating: 15% Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 12yrs anti-rust warranty.

For more information please use the form below to contact us:

*	= Required fields
Your Name :	*
Telephone:	*
E-mail Address :	*
How You Found us :	Please Choose Search Engine Press Banner Advert Bus Advertising Radio Link from a Client's Site Word of Mouth
Your requirements / areas of interest :
Validation Code :