Concept Cars Home
 
Image credits: © Suzuki.

1996 Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak Version news, pictures, and information

The Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak Version was designed for competition, specifically for hill climb events. It was given a bodyshell to resemble the Escudo, built atop a spaceframe, fitted with four-wheel drive, and powered by an engine tuned to produce an astonishing 987 horsepower. The car had large aerodynamic aids to help it stay stable at speed.

Along with its fabulous racing career, it has also stared in the popular video game, Gran Turismo, where it was listed as the Pikes Peak Edition. Suzuki never referred to it using that name.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place in Colorado. The course is 12.35 miles long, begins at an elevation of 9,200 feet and finishes at 14,100 feet. There are 156 corners throughout the course.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
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

Tanner Foust Favored For X Games Medal Rookies Victorious After First-Corner Crash Claims Veterans
FOZ DO IGUAÇU, Brazil (April 23, 2013) - Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust had a target on his back this weekend in Brazil, where the opening round of the Global Rallycross Championship took place on a challenging X Games course at Foz do Iguaçu. Fans lined up 10-deep before the race to get a glimpse of their favorite rallycross stars and the grandstands were packed for the Sunday race. 'The fans in Brazil are amazing,' said Foust. 'They were totally pumped to watch the rac...[Read more...]
Honda To Be Partnering Sponsor In 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Honda to participate as sponsor and race participant, with plans to campaign an unprecedented 10 Honda and Acura products in nine race classes 04/23/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif As a further extension of its growing commitment to grassroots racing in North America, Honda announced today that it is making a major commitment to the 2013 running of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as both a sponsor and race participant, with plans to field products in nine race class...[Read more...]
NISMO Heritage: A History of Maverick Engineering in Motorsports and Attainable Performance
CHICAGO - NISMO. Five letters taken from the words NISsan MOtorsports. Known around the world racing fraternity for nearly 50 years. Passionately embraced by grassroots Datsun and Nissan club racers and electronic race gamers alike. With the addition of the new 2013 Nissan JUKE NISMO model in the United States – joining the potent second-generation 370Z NISMO, the NISMO name is about to become much wider known among the general populace. The launch of JUKE NISMO, and a stable of future...[Read more...]
One-of-a-kind DB4GT with Italian-built coachwork offered at Bonhams sale in Aston Martin's centenary year
The multiple award-winning 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Bertone 'Jet' – the only one of its type ever built – is expected to realize between £2.8m and £3.8m when offered for sale in May A unique Aston Martin DB4GT that was the last off the production line and is the only one of its kind with coachwork by Italian design house Bertone will be offered for sale at the 14th annual Bonhams auction of Aston Martin and Lagonda motor cars at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, UK, on Saturday 18th May....[Read more...]
1961 Targa Florio: Porsche Dominance, Ferrari Victorious
The first race held on the island of Sicily that included an automobile would take place between the car, a bicycle and a horse. Although the gentleman on the bicycle would drop out rather early due to leg cramps constantly going up and down on the mountainous roads, the battle between the de Dion motor tricycle and the horse would be an intriguing one. In the end, the same principles that played out in that first race would come into play many years later when the island hosted the 1961 Targa F...[Read more...]

Arrow Right 1996 Suzuki models
Suzuki Escudo
Suzuki Esteem
Suzuki X-90

Similar Automakers
HyundaiKia
Scion
Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1996
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Camaro C8
Dodge Viper R/T 10
Ferrari 348 Challenge
Ferrari F355
Ferrari F355 Challenge
McLaren F1 GTR
Pontiac Firebird

 
Suzuki: 1991-2000
Similar Automakers
Other models by Suzuki
Manufacturer Website

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

© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.