2007 Suzuki XL-7
04-20-2006, 03:10 PM
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2007 Suzuki XL-7
The XL7 crosses over to a front-wheel-drive platform and offers a 3.6-liter V6. The engine produces 250 hp and is rated for better fuel economy, despite increased displacement over the old model’s 2.7-liter. Power is routed through a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. All-wheel drive is available. Seating for seven is available.
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...7/pages/01.htm
The old XL-7 was a stretched Grand Vitara. This new XL-7 is actually built on the same platform as the Saturn Vue, Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent, with a bit of a stretch. Not sure why the change, but I'll see if I can find an article that mentions this detail.
h:
04-25-2006, 04:30 PM
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Well, Suzuki here in the USA is a very different animal from the rest of the world. Suzuki essentially makes a bunch of wacky subcompacts and compacts, and that's what they sell elsewhere, plus what we call the Aerio and Grand Vitara.
But here in the USA, a bunch of wacky compact cars probably isn't the greatest lineup, so Suzuki needs some more "regular" cars for this market. Since GM bought Daewoo, a lot of Daewoos are sold in places like Europe as Chevrolets. But the only Daewoo/Chevy here is the Aveo. So, Suzuki in the USA sells a bunch of rebadged Daewoo/Chevys. The Grand Vitara and Aerio are actual Suzukis. The Verona, Forenza and Reno are Daewoo/Chevys.
So, with only 3 of the 7 Suzuki USA body styles being actual Suzukis, and there not being much appeal for a smallish 7-passenger SUV outside of the USA, it probably was a bunch cheaper to make one off an existing GM crossover platform than figure out a way to stretch the new Grand Vitara which I believe is rather trucky.
I think they should sell the new Swift here which actually looks like a rather interesting little car. The 3-door looks neat too.
But here in the USA, a bunch of wacky compact cars probably isn't the greatest lineup, so Suzuki needs some more "regular" cars for this market. Since GM bought Daewoo, a lot of Daewoos are sold in places like Europe as Chevrolets. But the only Daewoo/Chevy here is the Aveo. So, Suzuki in the USA sells a bunch of rebadged Daewoo/Chevys. The Grand Vitara and Aerio are actual Suzukis. The Verona, Forenza and Reno are Daewoo/Chevys.
So, with only 3 of the 7 Suzuki USA body styles being actual Suzukis, and there not being much appeal for a smallish 7-passenger SUV outside of the USA, it probably was a bunch cheaper to make one off an existing GM crossover platform than figure out a way to stretch the new Grand Vitara which I believe is rather trucky.
I think they should sell the new Swift here which actually looks like a rather interesting little car. The 3-door looks neat too.
Last edited by MrFatbooty; 04-25-2006 at 04:33 PM.
04-26-2006, 03:08 PM
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I doubt Suzuki had much input on the design of this thing. GM probably said, "hey we'll make you a 7-passenger SUV kinda like the Chevy Equinox, and we'll even slap your badges on it for ya!" The interior looks alright...