Spooky Introduction of Suzuki's New Sidekick
March, 1998 -- Giants roamed the stage and dancers ran madly about during the slightly disturbing introduction of the new Suzuki Sidekick at the Geneva International Auto Show this week. Although we're not certain if the dancers were supposed to appear as if they were fleeing from the 10-foot tall demons that Suzuki hired for their stand, it sure looked that way to us.
Despite these distractions, we were able to get a pretty decent look at the new Suzuki Sidekick that will be available in America later this year. Called the Grand Vitara in Europe, the new Sidekick is available for the first time with a 2.5-liter V-6 engine, giving it a clear power advantage over its rivals from Honda and Toyota. Also new is the sleek, rounded body, which loses the cinderblock design of the previous model. Looking like a five-eighths scale Isuzu Trooper, this tough little truck still rides atop a ladder-frame chassis like a real 4X4 should.
Larger than the current Sidekick, the new model offers comfortable seating for five in a tall, airy cabin. Still present are the large windscreen, rear window, and side windows that worked so well to give the original model its feeling of openness. Cargo volume is also increased in the new model.
Suzuki is pitching the new Sidekick as a real four-wheel drive alternative to candy-ass hybrid sport-utes like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Designed to work well in the city without sacrificing its off-road capability, we think that Suzuki may have a winning recipe here. Heck, they've even filled the inside of the truck with storage compartments and cup holders. What's not to like?
March, 1998 -- Giants roamed the stage and dancers ran madly about during the slightly disturbing introduction of the new Suzuki Sidekick at the Geneva International Auto Show this week. Although we're not certain if the dancers were supposed to appear as if they were fleeing from the 10-foot tall demons that Suzuki hired for their stand, it sure looked that way to us.
Despite these distractions, we were able to get a pretty decent look at the new Suzuki Sidekick that will be available in America later this year. Called the Grand Vitara in Europe, the new Sidekick is available for the first time with a 2.5-liter V-6 engine, giving it a clear power advantage over its rivals from Honda and Toyota. Also new is the sleek, rounded body, which loses the cinderblock design of the previous model. Looking like a five-eighths scale Isuzu Trooper, this tough little truck still rides atop a ladder-frame chassis like a real 4X4 should.
Larger than the current Sidekick, the new model offers comfortable seating for five in a tall, airy cabin. Still present are the large windscreen, rear window, and side windows that worked so well to give the original model its feeling of openness. Cargo volume is also increased in the new model.
Suzuki is pitching the new Sidekick as a real four-wheel drive alternative to candy-ass hybrid sport-utes like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Designed to work well in the city without sacrificing its off-road capability, we think that Suzuki may have a winning recipe here. Heck, they've even filled the inside of the truck with storage compartments and cup holders. What's not to like?
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