The launching was a done in a very comfortable scale with the some important guests and all respective dealers being invited. Media conference was being carrried out at an earlier session to update them which specification of this new model.
The launching was reported by The Star :
Suzuki targets 500 new model sales.
SUBANG JAYA: Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd is aiming to sell 500 units of its latest Suzuki SX4 sedan model this year.
Managing director Ibrahim Maidin said the SX4 sedan was equipped with features that made it stand out from its competitors.
“With competitive pricing in a value-for-money packaging, we are confident of selling 100 to 150 units of the SX4 sedan monthly,” he said at the launch of the vehicle on Thursday night.
Ibrahim Maidin (seated) and Suzuki Malaysia executive
advisor of sales & marketing Kenjiro Matsumoto at the launch.
The stylish model comes with a 1.6-litre advanced variable valve timing engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.
The standard version is priced at RM88,888 on the road without insurance, while the Premier variant costs RM5,000 more but gets window tinting, trunk spoiler, door visors and leather seats.
Ibrahim said the company planned to increase its present 26 sales and services outlets to 33 by March next year to provide better service and enhance customer satisfaction.
Fully imported from Japan, the SX4 sedan also comes with anti-lock braking system, dual front airbags and a large boot.
The motoring section of The Star has also presented a little more description on the vehicle :
After being well accepted in countries like India and Hungary, SMA is confident the SX 4 sedan will continue on that success here by providing a stylish and very competitive alternative in the compact sedan market.
The SX4 is not a newcomer in this country - it was launched last year in its hatchback crossover form.
The fully-imported SX4 is equipped with a M16A VVT DOHC 16-valve engine, the same powerplant also fitted in its sibling, the SX4 crossover. Mated with a four-speed automatic gearbox, the engine puts out 102bhp at 5,600rpm and maximum torque of 140Nm at 4,000 rpm.
The car is visually appealing on the whole, especially in its front profile. The rear end, with a thick and imposing bumper assembly, does bear some resemblance to the likes of the Proton Saga and the Nissan Latio, but bulk aside, the boot offers a healthy 515l of cargo space.
The SX4 offers an impressive 190mm ground clearance, which stands it in good stead in terms of light wading ability as well as clearance over speed bumps. The height also provides excellent front visibility, especially for petite drivers.
To further illustrate the feministic traits of the SX4, the steering wheel offers the lightest load when turning the wheel in a stationary position. This means that parking the SX4 will be a walk in the park; it feels light and responsive, and is claimed to be the lightest among its competitors.
Mothers will find the SX4 very useful if they have toddlers to bring around. The rear passenger seats are fitted with anchorage points, the first in its segment, for mounting child seats.
There was a chance to get to grips with the car out on the road during a recent media test drive from KL to Penang, and while the general outlook and feel is that of a vehicle catered for women, the SX4 sedan is certainly no slump on highways, considering the size and capacity of the car. There was no issue in ferrying four full-grown men around at speed, and in very good comfort, along the way.
In comparison with its hatchback sibling, the sedan’s engine felt like it packed more muscle on this one. Storming through the North-South Highway at an average speed of 160kmh, and sometimes up to 180kmh, the sedan was ever willing to be pushed harder. For a 1.6l engine, with a full load of four and at such speeds, the SX4 provided quite a peaceful ride.
Interior space for this compact sedan is as its brief suggests - compact, but there was sufficient head and legroom thanks to its high-roof design. Front seats provided body-hugging support, but none for the lower part of the body; generally, I thought the seats could have been firmer.
The only thing that baffled all of us in the car was the feedback coming off the steering wheel – it felt wobbly at speeds after the 110kmh mark. Certainly, not the kind of feel expected with an electric-controlled power steering (EPS) but then, it was only at higher speeds that this quirky sensation could be felt.
SMA targets a humble sales volume of between 100-150 units per month for the vehicle. The sedan is available in five colour choices – Nocturne Blue Pearl, Black Pearl, Silky Silver, Pearl White and Azure Grey.
Two variants are available - the standard version is priced at RM88,888 (on the road, without insurance), and if you would like a sportier version, which includes items such as 17-inch wheels, leather seats, door visors and full body kit, you’ll have to fork out an additional RM5,000.
