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2006 Suzuki Blizzard Grand Vitara news, pictures, and information

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) arrives at the 2005 California International Auto Show at a unique time in its 20-year history selling cars and SÚVs in the Únited States. Sales growth, new-product introductions and customer and dealer excitement for the brand are at all-time highs.

Southern California auto enthusiasts will be treated to an early look at Suzuki's comprehensive 2006 product line, given the arrival of the all-new, media-lauded Grand Vitara, which is just rolling into dealerships and offers innovative design, technology and numerous safety features. The new Grand Vitara delivers the capabilities buyers expect from compact SÚVs both on-road and off-road. The 2006 Grand Vitara joins a diverse product line that now features a total of eight different body styles - six cars and two SÚVs.

In addition to Suzuki's full-line of vehicles on display at the show, Suzuki showcases for the first time two concept, or 'lifestyle activity vehicles.' With the monikers 'Blizzard' and 'Sea,' the eye-catching vehicles embody Suzuki's new 'Way of Life' brand campaign - products designed for life enthusiasts.

'Now that the all-new Grand Vitara is arriving in showrooms, Suzuki expects to draw even more first-time Suzuki customers into dealerships, further increasing the company's growth in the Ú.S. market,' said Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. 'With innovative new models and the commitment of America's #1 Warranty, American Suzuki rolls into auto show season poised for an impressive 2006 campaign.'

Year-to-date sales of Suzuki cars and SÚVs in the Únited States through September 2005 are up 11 percent over the same period last year. Exceeding consumer expectations for toughness, leading-edge styling and high-end features at prices well below the competition are the stand-out virtues the entire line demonstrates.

All 2006 Suzuki vehicles come in one highly equipped trim level, offering significant features and amenities for the money. Rather than selecting between the traditional base, mid- and high-end trim levels, buyers now have the option of selecting from various option packages to fit their needs. All Suzuki vehicles come wîth America's #1 Warranty, the -leading 100,000-mile, seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

'Suzuki LIVE Series' Concept Vehicles To explore the viability of alternative accessory packages for consumers, Suzuki has developed four 'Suzuki LIVE Series' vehicles to illustrate how its products play an integral part of consumers' lifestyles. The vehicles coined 'Blizzard,' for snow sport enthusiasts; 'Sea,' for active surfers; 'Dune,' for sand sports, including quad racers, dirt bikes and off-roading; and 'Wave' for lake sports aficionados; will all be on display at various auto shows and events around the country over the next six months. The California International Auto Show displays the 'Blizzard' and 'Sea' concept vehicles.

'Blizzard' Grand Vitara
Making its auto show debut, the 'Blizzard' Grand Vitara is designed to fulfill the needs of people wîth active lifestyles focused on snow sports.

Some of the 'Blizzard' Grand Vitara features include:
2.7-liter turbo charged Suzuki engine
Custom rack system wîth backlit board mounts
Roof rack camera for snow equipment
Studded snow tires (on vehicle or spare)
Lot lift (rear gate, chair lift style seat for taking gear on and off)
Built-in glove and boot warmers
Internet access to check snow conditions
Interior color/materials scheme from snowboard equipment
Ventilated wet gear storage (located in back cargo area)
Dockable iPod™ station in rear area
In-car video and gaming system

'Sea' Forenza Wagon
To meet the likes and needs of surf sport adventure seekers, the latest vehicle coined 'Sea' is designed to appeal to those who live a good portion of their life in the water. Some of the 'Sea' Forenza Wagon features include:
Spacious storage in the cargo area, including a wetsuit dryer
Custom roof storage rack for surfboards (including large sunroof)
New large wheels and tires - P205/40-17
Subtle exterior modifications (air intake, bumpers, hood, driving lights, etc.)
SmartPass™ Pro biometric technology for locking/unlocking doors
Shower (handheld wand) wîth ventilated wet gear storage and small gear compartments
Rear quarter windowless panes
Custom interior materials to match look and feel of recreational gear
Real time Internet access - for the latest of surf conditions
New audio system wîth iPod™ compatibility and rear subwoofer

Source - American Suzuki Motor Corp.
The Suzuki Sidekick, as it was known in North America, was produced under various names from 1989 through 2003. The Sidekick was known by many names; in Europe it was the Vitara as well as North America after 1999, and the Suzuki Escudo, which was produced from 1989 through 2004. The project was a joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki. GM's version were known as the Geo Tracker, after 1998 they were the Chevrolet Tracker. In Canada they were the Pontiac Sunrunner, in Spain it was the Santana 300 and 350. It even carried a Mazda badge in the Japanese market.

For the North American market, the Suzuki Sidekick was first introduced in 1989. It was offered in two bodystyles including a two-door convertible or hardtop. The JA version was fitted with a 1.3-liter engine. The JX and JLX trim levels had a 1.6-liter engine rated at 80 horsepower and given a four-wheel drive system. The JLX version was removed from the line-up in 1990. A four-door version of the Sidekick was introduced in 1991, sitting on a larger wheelbase, and greatly enhancing the versatility and appeal of the vehicle. A Sport version appeared in 1996, featuring a 1.8-liter engine that was good for 120 horsepower. The package included 16-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint scheme, and dual airbags for safety.

1996 was the same year Suzuki introduced their X-90, which was basically a Sidekick with two doors, seating for two, a trunk, removable T-bar roof, and a much rounder body. Mechanically, they were identical. The X-90 never sold well as the public did not agree with the design. Production lasted for a short time, ending in 1998.

In 1999, the Sidekick/Escudo/Vitara was redesigned. For North America, the name 'Sidekick' was dropped in favor of Vitara. The four-seater vehicle could be purchased with a 1.3L, 1.6L, or 1.8L four-cylinder engine with carburetion or electronic fuel injection. Diesel engines were made available in Europe. A four-speed manual was standard, with a five-speed manual and automatic being offered as optional equipment. The Vitara came in two- or four-door models or soft-top 2-door models.

The Vitara remained in production in North America until 2003. Its twin, the Chevrolet Tracker, follwed the same fortune the following year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click here

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Arrow Right 2006 Suzuki models
Suzuki Aerio
Suzuki Forenza
Suzuki Forenza Wagon
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki Reno
Suzuki Sea Forenza Wagon Concept
Suzuki SX4
Suzuki Verona
Suzuki XL-7
2006 Suzuki Concepts
Suzuki Concept-X2
Suzuki P.X. Concept
Suzuki SX4 WRC

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Suzuki: 2001-2010
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2005 SEMA

Suzuki
Monthly Sales FiguresVolume
January 20131,488 
December 20121,946 
October 20122,023 
September 20121,921 
August 20121,968 
July 20122,266 
June 20122,299 
May 20122,360 
March 20122,631 
February 20122,425 
January 20121,505 
(More Details)

 
Aerio
Cappuccino
Equator
Esteem
Forenza
Kizashi
Reno
Sidekick, Vitara, Escudo, Tracker
Swift
SX4
X-90
XL-7

Image Left 2005 Grand VitaraImage Left 2005 Sí TV Special Project Grand VitaraImage Left 2005 Dune Grand VitaraImage Left 2005 Wave Grand Vitara2007 Grand Vitara Image Right2007 Grand Vitara Pikes Peak Special Image Right
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