What Is It?
Suzuki Concept X2
What's Special About It?
The X2 follows quickly on the heels of the first Concept X, which appeared earlierthis year in Detroit. Despite the X's crazy styling, Suzuki announced in New York that it will bring both of these SUVs into production, in one form or another, starting with the Concept X next year as a 2006 model.
The X2 is smaller than its immediate predecessor, though, and despite the similar names, the vehicles are actually quite distinct from one another. The X could conceivably house seven passengers in its three rows of seats, while the X2 is a bona fide five-passenger SUV.
The X2's design is also considerably toned down from that of the X. Rather than looking space-aged and radical, the X2 appears sleek and elegantly simple.
Despite the X2's refined appearance, it features some genuine off-road credentials including a locking center differential, four-wheel independent suspension and a four-mode, full-time 4x4 transfer case. Power is provided for by a V6 believed to be capable of 185 horsepower and a five-speed automatic.
In addition to its presumed off-road prowess, Suzuki has also tailored this lifestyle vehicle to be equally appropriate for city driving, with elegant black leather seats trimmed in white, keyless start, a HomeLink wireless remote system and an AM/FM/XM/CD stereo with seven speakers and a subwoofer.
The X2 also features an excellent safety package which includes dual front and side airbags, Suzuki's Electronic Stability Program, ABS, traction control, a head-impact protection structure and energy-absorbing crash protection structure on the exterior.
Tom Carney, Suzuki's director of sales and marketing in the U.S., revealed that the X2 will be built in Japan, unlike the X, which is scheduled to go into production next year at the company's CAMI plant in Ontario. A production version of the X2 could appear as soon as two months from now, according to Carney.
Suzuki expects to build about 50,000 units of this SUV a year.
What's Edmunds' Take?
It came as a bit of a surprise that the original X vehicle looks like one designed for space aliens, given Suzuki's dedication to focus on people rather than technology in its two recent SUV concepts. The X2, however, makes up for the eccentricity of its sibling with a handsome, inviting package that has more than a little human appeal. — Phil Lienert
Suzuki Concept X2
What's Special About It?
The X2 follows quickly on the heels of the first Concept X, which appeared earlier
The X2 is smaller than its immediate predecessor, though, and despite the similar names, the vehicles are actually quite distinct from one another. The X could conceivably house seven passengers in its three rows of seats, while the X2 is a bona fide five-passenger SUV.
The X2's design is also considerably toned down from that of the X. Rather than looking space-aged and radical, the X2 appears sleek and elegantly simple.
Despite the X2's refined appearance, it features some genuine off-road credentials including a locking center differential, four-wheel independent suspension and a four-mode, full-time 4x4 transfer case. Power is provided for by a V6 believed to be capable of 185 horsepower and a five-speed automatic.
In addition to its presumed off-road prowess, Suzuki has also tailored this lifestyle vehicle to be equally appropriate for city driving, with elegant black leather seats trimmed in white, keyless start, a HomeLink wireless remote system and an AM/FM/XM/CD stereo with seven speakers and a subwoofer.
The X2 also features an excellent safety package which includes dual front and side airbags, Suzuki's Electronic Stability Program, ABS, traction control, a head-impact protection structure and energy-absorbing crash protection structure on the exterior.
Tom Carney, Suzuki's director of sales and marketing in the U.S., revealed that the X2 will be built in Japan, unlike the X, which is scheduled to go into production next year at the company's CAMI plant in Ontario. A production version of the X2 could appear as soon as two months from now, according to Carney.
Suzuki expects to build about 50,000 units of this SUV a year.
What's Edmunds' Take?
It came as a bit of a surprise that the original X vehicle looks like one designed for space aliens, given Suzuki's dedication to focus on people rather than technology in its two recent SUV concepts. The X2, however, makes up for the eccentricity of its sibling with a handsome, inviting package that has more than a little human appeal. — Phil Lienert
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