Suzuki is a small company that usually builds small cars. Actually, the brand is quite popular in Japan, but its dealer network and range of vehicles is pretty limited in North America.
For the last few years, Suzuki has been counting on outsiders to provide them with models to populate their showrooms. The Swift+ subcompact is built in Korea by GM-owned Daewoo, and the XL7 is built in Japan using GM's existing parts bin. In the United States, Daewoo even provided the compact Forenza sedan and Reno 5-door hatchbacks, two models that used to be sold in Canada as the Chevrolet Optra.
Now, Suzuki is counting on Nissan for entering a brand-new vehicle segment. The Frontier mid-size pickup has been cloned for Suzuki duty, and is called the Equator.
One sole configuration in Canada
Unlike the Frontier that offers two cab sizes, the Equator gets only a crew cab version in Canada. In JX trim, the Equator includes four-wheel drive, a 5-speed automatic and a 4.0-litre, 24-valve V6 that develops a hefty 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque.
Other mechanical features include 4-wheel disc brakes with electronic force distribution, traction control, power rack-and-pinion steering and 17-inch alloys wrapped with P265/65R17 tires. The Equator's four-wheel drive system has a low range for some extra off-road capability. And since the Frontier has a towing capacity of up to 2,767 kg (6,100 lbs), the Equator should do the same in that regard.
The standard equipment list includes A/C, cruise control, power heated mirrors and windows, keyless entry, a CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers and 6 airbags.
Competition
The 2009 Suzuki Equator will battle the likes of the Ford Ranger, the Mazda B-Series, the Nissan Frontier, the Toyota Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon and the Honda Ridgeline. The price of Suzuki's new pickup has been set at $33,795 in Canada, and is on sale now.
photo:Suzuki
For the last few years, Suzuki has been counting on outsiders to provide them with models to populate their showrooms. The Swift+ subcompact is built in Korea by GM-owned Daewoo, and the XL7 is built in Japan using GM's existing parts bin. In the United States, Daewoo even provided the compact Forenza sedan and Reno 5-door hatchbacks, two models that used to be sold in Canada as the Chevrolet Optra.
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Now, Suzuki is counting on Nissan for entering a brand-new vehicle segment. The Frontier mid-size pickup has been cloned for Suzuki duty, and is called the Equator.
One sole configuration in Canada
Unlike the Frontier that offers two cab sizes, the Equator gets only a crew cab version in Canada. In JX trim, the Equator includes four-wheel drive, a 5-speed automatic and a 4.0-litre, 24-valve V6 that develops a hefty 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque.
Other mechanical features include 4-wheel disc brakes with electronic force distribution, traction control, power rack-and-pinion steering and 17-inch alloys wrapped with P265/65R17 tires. The Equator's four-wheel drive system has a low range for some extra off-road capability. And since the Frontier has a towing capacity of up to 2,767 kg (6,100 lbs), the Equator should do the same in that regard.
The standard equipment list includes A/C, cruise control, power heated mirrors and windows, keyless entry, a CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers and 6 airbags.
Competition
The 2009 Suzuki Equator will battle the likes of the Ford Ranger, the Mazda B-Series, the Nissan Frontier, the Toyota Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon and the Honda Ridgeline. The price of Suzuki's new pickup has been set at $33,795 in Canada, and is on sale now.
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photo:Suzuki
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