EVERY day is a school day in this job.
I mean, who knew the people of India love Suzuki as much as a biriyani?
9
And we’re talking cars — not bikes and scooters.
Last year, Suzuki sold 1.75million cars in India.
One million seven hundred and fifty thousand. Every other new car is a Suzuki.
And if you need to change a lightbulb, brake pads or whatever, you are never more than 20 miles from a Suzuki service centre.
It’s a very different story here in Great Britainland.
9
Last year we bought 35,000 Suzuki cars — that’s Ignis, Swift, Vitara, S-Cross and Jimny combined.
The Ford Fiesta sells double that on its own.
It makes you wonder why Suzuki even bothers to answer the phone to UK dealers.
But I’m glad it does. Because no one does small 4x4s quite like Suzuki.
Take the new-look Ignis I’ve been testing this week.
9
It’s light and dinky — 895kg and just 3.7 metres long — yet it’s got the minerals to go that little bit farther for your Covid picnic.
It’s also a mild hybrid that returns a real-world 50mpg, as well as being distinctive and easy to live with — and cracking value.
Prices start at £13,999 for the Ignis SZ3 with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual.
Finance from £139 a month with zero per cent finance and £1,970 up front.
The best-selling SZ-T at £15,499 adds nuggets like reversing camera and two individual rear seats that slide forwards and backwards by 16cm if you need more boot space or leg room. I like that.
9
Then there’s the fully loaded SZ-5 at £17,499 — or £179 a month — which is the only version you can have with Suzuki’s simple but clever Allgrip all-wheel drive system.
That’s your insurance policy in slippery winter conditions, so go for that if you can afford it.
The SZ-5 also scored four stars out of five in EuroNCAP safety tests thanks to driver-assistance kit like dual-camera brake support.
Now let’s talk a little about the 4x4 system.
Suzuki uses a viscous coupling that automatically locks when the front wheels spin and sends additional torque to the rear axle.
9
It’s simple and it works and has been used by Suzuki for more than 20 years.
On top of that, Hill Descent Control will guide you down a steep slope at a set speed without you touching the pedals.
Plus, there’s Grip Control — also activated by a switch — which works under 18mph by adding torque to wheels with grip and braking the wheel that is spinning.
While we’re being technical, the 12-volt hybrid system is as mild as a cold korma but there’s no faffing about with a plug and it does assist a little with torque and lowers emissions.
It also means that engine restarts in stop/start traffic are smooth and silent — you only hear it when first started from cold.
9
Other observations. Good visibility. Lots of drink holders. Apple CarPlay. Cruise control. But works best as an A-to-B car.
You’d get blown around like a crisp packet on a motorway.
Go for CVT auto if you don’t like manual.
All in all, this is a clever little box that underlines why Suzuki and Toyota have bought a stake in each other.
Toyota will make two hybrids for Suzuki based on the RAV4 and Corolla estate.
The latter will be built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.
Suzuki will share its small-car expertise and supply Toyota with two new models for the Indian market.
And that concludes today’s lesson. Class dismissed.
Key facts: Suzuki Ignis SZ5 Allgrip
Price: £17,499
Engine: 1.2litre petrol hybrid
Power: 83hp, 107Nm
0-62mph: 12.8 secs
Top speed: 103mph
Economy: 52mpg
CO2: 123g/km
Out: Now
Keyless issues
THERE’S an issue with keyless electric cars – and I don’t think it’s just me.
When you press the button to start them, nothing happens.
9
So you push the button again – but a bit harder this time – and still nothing.
So you try for a third time, now a little vexed, and finally the screen flashes and beeps like you’ve put 10p in it.
It’s the same when you stop at the supermarket.
You press the same button to switch it off, hop out, and then realise the car is still awake.
Can you lean over and press the button a bit harder to switch it off? No.
Because that would be too easy.
You have to get back in and press it together with the brake pedal. Grrrr.
Then there’s the electronic parking brake on the Peugeot e-2008.
9
It has a right old hissy fit if you don’t press the button before exiting.
It’s like a shoplifter alarm but times ten. Calm down.
I’m on level ground and the gear selector is in Park.
If you had a sleeping baby in the back, she’d be awake now.
As you might have guessed, this e-2008 crossover has the same innards as the e-208 hatchback, which means it has the same good and bad.
Positives: Speed. Zero emissions. Silence. Doddle to drive. Cheap to run.
Negatives: Price. Range. Charge time. iCockpit.
The 50kWh battery has a maximum 206-mile range which is fine for shuttling around locally.
9
But motorway miles eat range and I had a 360-mile round trip to do at short notice. I had to borrow my daughter’s Polo.
It takes half an hour for 80 per cent juice at a 100kW public rapid charger and 7hrs 30mins for a full charge from a 7kW wall-box at home, if you have a drive.
To be fair, the new 2008 – be it petrol, diesel or pure electric – looks terrific inside and out.
This GT Line is well-equipped with 10in HD touchscreen, smartphone charging plate, heated seats and all sorts of driver-assistance tech.
The frameless rear-view mirror is a nice touch and ride quality is fine.
Most people will be delighted with their new car.
But I’m not a fan of Peugeot’s signature small steering wheel.
You have to set it stupidly low or you can’t see the instrument cluster.
Also, the B-mode for increased braking regeneration when you lift off the accelerator is not strong enough.
HELPING HAND
Hands-free driving on motorways could happen within months
WHEEL DEALS
Coronavirus sparks huge discounts on 70-plate cars as prices slashed by a FIFTH
SPACE INVADERS
Is it illegal for someone to park on your driveway or in front of your home?
ROB GILL
Driverless cars are dangerous — it will take decades before they are safe
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
What you MUST do if you drive the wrong direction down a one way streetPrices from £29k for the Allure, up to £35k for the GT which has more kit but no more go. Both include the £3,000 plug-in car grant.
If you want a textbook EV crossover with good looks, your search ends here.
For longer range at a similar price, go to Kia.
Key facts: Peugeot e-2008
Price: £32,915
Battery: 50kWh
Power: 136bhp, 221Nm
0-60mph: 8.5 secs
Top speed: 93mph
Range: 206 miles
CO2: 0g/km
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk
The Link LonkAugust 20, 2020 at 05:07AM
https://ift.tt/3iTvkxe
Suzuki’s Ignis is not a big 4X4 but it is a clever little box - The Sun
https://ift.tt/3gf2iqE
Suzuki
No comments:
Post a Comment