Built at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., the Suzuki Equator features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter DOHC inline four with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque or an optional 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine producing a class-leading 261 hp with 281 lb.-ft. of torque. Designed for outstanding performance and durability, the Equator's V6 engine incorporates an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, Teflon®-coated pistons, variable valve timing and a silent two-stage timing chain.
The Suzuki Equator is matched to either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (I4 and V6) or five-speed manual transmission (I4), and offers an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time two-speed transfer case. For enhanced off-road capability, the rugged Equator offers a comprehensive off-road traction system, including four-wheel limited slip, electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill descent control and hill start assist.
The Equator's strong, fully boxed frame anchors a long 125.9-inch wheelbase (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed), enhancing driver and passenger comfort and stability, while its overall length of 205.5 inches (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed) provides the perfect balance of utility, maneuverability and composure for a midsize pickup truck. The Suzuki Equator features an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and a long suspension stroke for optimized off-road dynamics. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds. EPA fuel economy estimates are still preliminary.
Other Suzuki Equator powertrain components include engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for responsiveness and good on-center feel and standard four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Equator also features a variety of available wheel and tire packages, including 16-inch off-road style wheels with rugged 265/75R16 tires and 17-inch wheels with 265/65R17 tires.
Styling and Utility
The all-new Equator features a contemporary exterior design with a number of unique Suzuki elements, including hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate. Both Equator Extended Cab and Crew Cab models offer an available high-utility bed that includes a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and an extensive tie-down system with adjustable tracks, providing ultimate cargo hauling flexibility through the use of five special "C" cross-section rails mounted in the bed (two channels in the bed floor and one each on the bed side rails and the bed header panel). Removable utility cleats slide into the channels, providing a wide range of attachment points for securing cargo - including Suzuki motorcycles or ATVs. Suzuki also will offer specialized bed accessories that make loading, securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV easier than in many competitive trucks. To further satisfy the needs of active lifestyles, Suzuki will offer its customers a full range of more traditional accessories for use with the channel system, including bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units. Crew Cab models will offer an available roof rack.
Interior
The Suzuki Equator offers the driver and up to four passengers a functional interior that combines versatility, cargo utility, comfort and convenience. Both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles feature flip-up rear seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat and removable storage boxes tucked beneath the rear seats to provide additional cargo capacity. The Equator offers additional convenience features such as a dual glove box with lock, damper and lamp, center console storage and one-liter bottle storage integrated into the front doors. A host of cupholders and power points are standard throughout the truck. Equator Crew Cab also will offer available leather-appointed seats, including a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated seats, heated mirrors and a factory-installed moonroof. Additional available interior amenities include a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with six-disc in-dash CD audio system, optional satellite radio and MP3 capability and MP3 player aux-in jack.
Safety and Packages
The all-new Equator includes a comprehensive list of standard safety equipment, including zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor, three-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. To make the safety story even stronger, the Equator comes equipped with supplemental front seat side-impact air bags and supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for front and rear outboard passengers. Additionally, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models provide three-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including the center position for the Crew Cab. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system is provided in the rear seat of the Crew Cab model.
More pics here:
http://www.netcarshow.com/suzuki/2008-equator_quay_concept/
Looks interesting...
holy tacoma batman. with other big name pickup options out there, i dont see good sales.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
WTF, Butt sex is not like sticking your finger in a jelly donut. -Alexis
When I got the news last year that the Nissan Frontier was being rebadged for Suzuki, much the same as the Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider, I was like: "oh goodie." [sarcasm]
The truck looks like it is ready for a second or third world market not N-A.
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
interior=ewww
05 M6 YJ GTO 1 of 447 12.523@111.30
Suzuki has just plain and simply lost their soul. They need to seriously re-think their direction.
They didn't even try to differentiate the tail lights. It still comes off as a Frontier with a Tacoma face.
In a day and age with higher gas prices, and smaller cars getting more popular. Suzuki could have been the rockstar company to go to with awesome cars that get good gas mileage. Just one look at their Home market (Japan) and Austrailian market cars and you can't believe Suzuki of America is even the same company. They still make the Samurai, It's called "Jimny" and all new but still the same basic under pinnings. And the new Swift GT is the kind of car they SHOULD be selling here.
I've owned many Suzukis and they make an awesome product. I won't buy anything they make currently because "they" don't make any of their U.S. vehicles. Daewoo, GM, and Nissan do. If i wanted a Torrent i'd get one, not a Suzuki platform shared version called XL-7
If i want a Reno/Forenza I'd buy a Corrola or Civic...they have better hp, similar mpg's and cooler designs.
And if i wanted a Nissan Frontier i'd get one not this frankenstein rip-off.
Suzuki should drop all these products and stick with their only two fully Suzuki developed vehicles (Vitara, and SX4) both are highly praised by auto critics and are easily the two best cars in their line-up. The rest is just filler. But if Saturn and Mini can flourish for years with only one car in their line up, then surely Suzuki can do amazing with 2 excellent cars.
If they concentrate on just these two and market the hell out of them that would be far more effective than filling a showroom with other peoples cars.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
