Suzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concern
Remember the Suzuki Equator – the overlooked, rebadged version of the Nissan Frontier that went on sale in early 2009? There hasn’t been much to talk about the slow-selling Fronquator, but now a recall involving vehicles manufactured between November 2009 and March 2010 (a whopping total of 582 units) brings the little truck into the front of our minds again.
According to the official recall statement from NHTSA, the Equator’s lower control link bushing collars may not contain welds that meet strength specifications, which can alter the wheel alignment over time. The safety recall is taking place as you read this, and dealers will replace one or both lower control links if necessary.
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2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport shows up looking sharp in New York Auto Show 2010
Suzuki decided that tomorrow wasn’t soon enough to take the wraps off its new 2011 Kizashi Sport, so they invited us media types to SoHo tonight for a sneak peek before the official unveiling at the 2010 New York Auto Show. What we saw when we arrived was a very sharp looking Kizashi done up in fiery red with new 18-inch alloy wheels, a deeper front chin spoiler, a trunklid spoiler and extended side sills with a dash of chrome here and there. While we had hoped to see a “V6″ badge somewhere on it, we were sadly left wanting.
In fact, the 2011 Sport doesn’t have any performance tweaks in the engine bay, just the exterior changes and a firmed up suspension. There’s also a new sport steering wheel inside as well as contrasting stitching throughout. The Sport package will be available on Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels and ia scheduled to go on sale in the States this August. We have a sneaking suspicion that this is the same Kizashi concept we saw several months ago out at Cars & Coffee, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
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New York 2010: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport lands on show floor, V6 and hybrid not happening
“You’ll turn blue in the face if you’re holding your breath waiting for a V6 Kizashi.” That was the word from a Suzuki spokesman at last night’s insider preview of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport. It makes sense since Suzuki and General Motors have parted ways and that V6 was expected to come from GM. While we had been hoping a V6 would be part of the package, we are taking this quote to mean there won’t be anything other than a four-cylinder in the engine bay for a good long time. And we do mean anything. Automotive News is also reporting that Suzuki has also dropped plans for the hybrid version of the mid-size media darling.
What we’re left with isn’t exactly chopped liver though. We’ve waxed poetically about the Kizashi and its near perfect blend of styling, performance and value, and the Sport looks to add just that little extra bit of styling and performance to make it even more appealing. We still have to wait to pass judgment on whether they keep the value part of the equation as prices won’t be announced until closer to the vehicle’s July on-sale date.
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