Suzuki Puts a Little 'Special' to its German Market SX4 Crossover

A new special edition model has been added to the range of the Suzuki SX4 in Germany. The SX4 Limited comes with a number of discreet styling changes such as the gunmetal paint for the front grille, 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rails along with the choice of four metallic finishes for the body including "Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic", "Silky Silver Metallic", "Sunlight Copper Pearl Metallic" and "Smoky Green Metallic".

Inside, the SX4 Limited gets Alcantara seat trim in a two-tone finish, a leather steering wheel, and bespoke floor mats plus additional standard equipment such as a heated front seats, automatic climate control, an upgraded audio system with steering wheel controls and a keyless start system.

In Germany, Suzuki’s small crossover is offered with a choice of two powertrains, a 120HP 1.6-liter gasoline unit that returns 6.2 lt/100km (37.9mpg US) and a 135HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel with a combined fuel economy of 5.3 lt/100km (44.3mpg US).

The diesel version of the SX4 Limited, which comes with standard all-wheel drive, is priced at €21,990, while the gasoline variant, which gets standard front-wheel drive and optional AWD, at €18,490.

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Suzuki Recalling Grand Vitara and SX4 in the States

More than 32,000 Suzuki Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles are being recalled in the United States over an improperly manufactured component of the tension adjuster pulley that could cause the drive belt to either slip or come off and lead to engine overheating or stalling.

Suzuki said the recall concerns the 2009-2010 model year Grand Vitara SUVs equipped with 4-cylinder engines; 2011MY Grand Vitara vehicles produced prior to October 17, 2010; 2010MY SX4s and 2011MY SX4s manufactured before October 14, 2010.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that in the affected vehicles, the tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt that operates the alternator, water pump, air conditioner compressor and power steering pump, has an improperly manufactured internal spring that can break due to repeated stress.

According to the government agency, if the spring breaks, the drive belt can slip, causing a squeaking noise, or come off, in which case, the driver will have to use increased steering effort, while it can also cause the engine to overheat or stall.

The Japanese firm's dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before February 16, 2011.

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