WeeklySA_AdminSTYLE AND PERFOMANCE: Suzuki has set the standard in its compact vehicles for its level of safety and the newcomer is no exception
By Ali Mphaki
The Fronx name is derived from two terms. The first is “Frontier” which refers to both the way in which the vehicle crosses a frontier for Suzuki in this market segment and how its design crosses a frontier between SUV and coupé.
The second term is “X”, pointing to the crossover nature of the Fronx. This is how Suzuki explains the philosophy behind the styling concept – that of a Coupé SUV – to the automaker’s line-up first revealed at the company’s global conference in India in January this year.
At the event, it joined other new models, such as the Suzuki Jimny five-door 4×4 and the family-sized XL6 SUV on stage. All three models are due for launch in South Africa, with the Fronx leading the charge. With its unique SUV Coupé design and its focus on young and “young-at-heart” buyers, it is no surprise that Suzuki will offer the Fronx with a large catalogue of colours and colour combinations.
Buyers can choose their Fronx in Arctic White Pearl, Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic, Grandeur Grey Pearl Metallic, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic and Bluish Black Pearl exterior paint. As if to sweeten the deal, Suzuki have added all the must-have styling options, such as roof rails, daytime running lights and alloy wheels to all models, regardless of their specification level or price.”
Four versions of the Suzuki Fronx are available from launch. They are the Fronx GL in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission and the more luxurious Fronx GLX with the same choice of manual or automatic transmission. All 4 versions share a combination of the signature Suzuki SUV design elements, such as the grille, first seen on the Grand Vitara, Bold wheel arches, dual-layer front lights with a follow-me-home function, large alloy wheels and LED tail lamps adds up to the newcomer’s street cred. On the GLX model, the tail lamps are connected by a LED light bar that runs the length of the vehicle. Before moving inside the cabin, by comparison, the Grand Vitara is 4.345 metres long with a 2.6-metre-long wheelbase.
Other vital statistics worth noting include the luggage volume, which measures in at 304 litres with a full-sized 16” spare wheel. This grows to 605 litres with the rear seatback folded forward. All models have a 60:40 split folding rear bench seat.
On the topic of wheels, the Suzuki Fronx has a 170 mm ground clearance, thanks in part to its large 16” alloy wheels shod with 195/60 tyres. Inside the cabin of the Suzuki Fronx you have a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel with buttons for the Bluetooth cell phone connection, audio controls and cruise control.
All versions of the Suzuki Fronx have cruise control as standard. The steering wheel is adjustable for height, and on GLX models there is also adjustment for reach. Also included across the range are electric windows front and rear, automatic climate control with rear-seat ventilation, central locking, electric power steering, dual rear-mounted USB charging points, a front-mounted 12V charging socket and a centre console box that doubles as both an armrest and storage compartment.
For buyers of the GLX models, Suzuki has added keyless entry with push-button start, wireless charging in the centre console, head-up display, dual vanity mirrors with illumination in the sun visors and additional lighting in the glove compartment and front footwells. The GLX also benefits from a larger sized infotainment system. The GL model has a centrally mounted 7” infotainment system that also displays images from the reverse camera. On the GLX, the infotainment system is sized up to 9”, and the image from the reverse camera is replaced by a 360-degree composite video image from the front-, side- and rear-mounted cameras.
All versions of the Suzuki Fronx are fitted with the group’s K15B engine. Ihe 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivers 77 kilowatts at 6 000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4 400 rpm.
The engine is mated, in both GL and GLX specification, to the choice of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.
MOTORING:
Briefs
MAHINDRA GOES GLOBAL
Mahindra South Africa unveiled its Global Pik Up bakkie concept at its signature Futurescape event and on India’s 77th day of independence this week.
It was a special occasion where motoring media from around the world got a first glimpse of the bakkie and the brand’s new all-electric Thar.e and BE. As a reference, Mahindra started selling vehicles in South Africa in October 2004.
Veejay Nakra, president of Automotive Sector for Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said at the event: “The new Global Pik Up marks a significant step in Mahindra’s Go-Global Strategy. This robust and tough vehicle, engineered with cutting-edge technology, is versatile and capable and meets high safety standards.”
JAGUAR’S EV FOUR-DOOR GT
Jaguar will be led into its all-electric future by a £100,000 four-door GT. The striking rear image shows how the GT is likely to purposefully transition away from the brand’s current line-up, with a wide stance, some distinct squared-off angles, straight lines, plus a prominent diffuser.
This look is enhanced by razor-thin tail-lights, and attentive fans will note the absence of Jaguar badging.
A number of prototypes of the new GT are expected to be testing on the road by the end of the year, and an official unveiling of the car is being planned for around April or May 2024, with sales scheduled for 2025.
DONT BUY SECOND HAND EVs
CAR mechanic with years of experience has revealed there’s a key reason why you should never buy a second hand electric vehicle.
Scotty Kilmer took to his popular YouTube channel to advise you should never buy a used electric car at an auction. He said: “Electric cars are so expensive to fix.
“If it’s at an auction there’s probably some serious problem.-The Sun,UK
ONE MORE THING…
Afghanistan unveiled a supercar that is powered by a 2000 Toyota Corolla engine early this year. The vehicle, named Mada 9, was built over five years by a company named Entop with a team of 30 engineers and designers from the Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute, according to a report by Tolo News, a local Afghanistan news channel
The Taliban’s spokesperson shared a video of the car, doing donuts in the snow and said the car was an honor for the country, according to The Telegraph.
FESTIVAL OF MOTORING IS HERE
The numbers don’t lie. The Festival of Motoring was confirmed by all who attended the 2022 event to be one of the highlights of the annual South African motoring calendar. Where else can you showcase so much variety, so many automotive brands and so much family-focused excitement on one dynamic platform?
Hosted once more at the home of South African motorsport, Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, the 6th instalment of the Festival of Motoring guarantees to be bigger and better than ever, including welcoming several new favourite car brands, new live, seat-of-the-pants experiences and enhanced entertainment for the whole family.
The 2023 event will take place from 25-27 August.
2023 LAMBO LANZADOR REVEALED
Lamborghini’s first ever electric car has been revealed at Monterey Car Week in California and it’s a low-slung, high-riding ‘Ultra GT’ than produces more than 1000kW. Yikes.
Called Lanzador, which translates as ‘lance’ or ‘spear’, the new model is a 2+2 and will become Lamborghini’s long awaited fourth model line alongside Revuelto, Urus and the soon-to-be-announced Huracan successor.
Lanzador is officially a concept car – the production model won’t be built until 2028 – but Lambo says it provides a “concrete preview of the production vehicle that Lamborghini will present.”
