New Suzuki Escudo SUV Launchs in Japan

TOKYO, Japan — 2005 is turning out to be a busy year for Suzuki on the SUV front. After two concepts at the Detroit and New York auto shows, now comes the first production spin-off, this fully redesigned and pretty cool-looking Escudo that's just launched in Japan.

Before the end of the year, another SUV, the compact B/C crossover Suzuki and Fiat are co-developing in Europe, will also break cover.

From the Escudo, Suzuki will derive 2006 replacements for the Grand Vitara in North America and Europe, starting this September. First up is this attractive five-door version, but Suzuki's also set to unveil a shorter, sportier three-door design at September's Frankfurt show.

The new Escudo is visually sharper, almost a foot longer, better packaged and higher quality, and Suzuki's also put a lot of work into the body/suspension to ramp up response and handling.

Although the Escudo still has a full-time 4x4 system with locking center differential and low-range transfer to give it genuine all-terrain ability, it now, at last, gets a fully independent chassis, too.

Engines so far are mostly carryovers: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 2.7-liter V6, developing 143 hp and 181 hp, respectively, but it's thought only the V6 will be headed for the U.S.

What this means to you: Suzuki's moved the Escudo/Grand Vitara up in all the right kind of ways. The timing's good for Suzuki, too — sending it out before the next Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, in Japan, at least. The sooner we in North America can get a look at it, the better.

Source : Edmonds