|
| |
| |
All-New 2004 Suzuki Forenza
Redefines Premium Compact Sedan Value

Now value-seeking
sedan shoppers can find everything they want
in a European-styled premium compact for an MSRP starting at $12,499.The latest addition to American Suzuki’s fast-growing lineup boasts prestigious
European styling, a host of class-leading standard features typically reserved
for luxury cars and a 2-liter double-overhead cam engine providing a smooth
ride and big torque at low engine speed – all neatly packaged in a premium
compact design offering more passenger room than Civic or Corolla.
With the all-new Forenza, value-seeking sedan shoppers finally can find everything
they want in a sophisticated, European-styled premium compact for an MSRP starting
at $12,499. The $12,499 list price is for the well-equipped Forenza S version;
the mid-level LX starts at $14,399, and the line-topping Forenza EX carries
an MSRP of $15,999.
Certainly, this aggressive pricing will cause buyers to take a hard look at
this value-packed car. But the Forenza’s appeal runs far deeper. Consider that
the Forenza has standard features that are normally associated with considerably
higher-priced models: CD/cassette AM/FM audio system with eight speakers; steering
wheel-mounted sound system controls; four-wheel disc brakes; power windows,
door locks, and heated mirrors; air conditioning with micron-air filtration
and rear heating ducts; tilt steering wheel; floor mats; and more. Many of
the Forenza's competitors only offer these kinds of features as options, or
don't offer them at all. By exceeding consumer expectations for luxury and
high-end features at a price well below the competition, the Forenza is driving
proof that Suzuki truly is America’s Best Value.
Along with the new-for-2004 Verona midsize sedan, the Forenza is among nine
new value-packed vehicles Suzuki will launch in the next five years as the
cornerstone of its plan to triple its 2002 U.S. vehicle sales by 2007.Internationally influenced design
Like the legendary Ferrari Daytona, the F355 and Maranello, the Forenza was
styled by Pininfarina. Since the ‘50s, the European studio has penned some
of the most beautiful cars in the world for Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo,
and now, Suzuki.
European stylists are nothing if not expressive and this definitely shows in
the Forenza. Viewers are instantly drawn to the crisp lines of the hood, the
steeply raked nose and dual cylindrical halogen headlights. The gracefully
curving roofline makes a contemporary statement. The artists at Pininfarina
always keep aerodynamics in mind, which is part of the reason why the Forenza
not only delivers excellent fuel mileage, but also has confidence-inspiring
stability at today’s elevated interstate-highway speeds. Function also played
a large part in the design of the Forenza's large greenhouse, which offers
both a sporty appearance and maximum visibility. Rear styling creates a trunk
that's aerodynamically friendly on the outside and capacious on the inside:
at 12.4 cubic feet, it’s larger than those offered by virtually all of its
competitors. The Forenza's exterior look is finished off with prominent taillights.
Step inside, stretch out and relax
The Forenza continues its streamlined, contemporary style inside the cabin
with silver metallic accents on the doors and center console. An attention-getting
instrument cluster highlights the handsome dash. Continuing the theme, metallic
silver accents surround the analog gauges, with the boldest reserved for
the center-mounted speedometer. After dark, the instrument panel enhances
visibility with a backlit jade-green glow.
Forenza passengers enjoy ample space by all measures, but legroom is particularly
generous. This allows everyone, including rear passengers, to stretch out.
Rear seat legroom (36.7 in.) and shoulder room (53.7 in.) tops Civic, Corolla
and others. Forenza pilots can get comfortable for long-distance motoring with
a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and an eight-way adjustable bucket seat. The
split-folding rear seats reveal an extra-large trunk pass-through designed
for easy loading and increased capacity.
Great standard features
The Forenza comes in three trim levels: S, LX and EX. The Forenza S comes standard
with a great sounding in-dash AM/FM CD and cassette player. The class-leading
system has eight speakers, including dash- and door-mounted tweeters. The
Forenza features a steering wheel-mounted sound-system controls, a thoughtful
feature that helps the driver remain focused on the business of driving.
The list of standard features on all trim levels continues: air conditioning
with a micron-air filtration system that filters out dust, dirt and pollen
to help keep cabin air fresh (Civic charge extra for air conditioning); power
windows, door locks and mirrors; remote fuel door release; additional 12-volt
power outlet; tachometer; intermittent wipers; digital clock; floor mats; timed
rear-window defroster; and driver and passenger sun visors with vanity mirrors.
Heated right and left outside rearview mirrors help increase visibility on
frosty mornings.
Move up to the Forenza LX, and the equipment list expands to include leather-wrapped
steering wheel and shift knob, and a remote keyless entry system that integrates
the key and fob into one convenient unit and activates an anti-theft device.
The LX also adds aluminum alloy wheels, front fog lights, a power tilt-and-slide
sunroof and cruise control.
The top-of-the-line Forenza EX has the same great features as the LX, but adds
leather-seating surfaces -- whereas most Forenza competitors don't even offer
leather seating as an option. An anti-lock braking system is available as an
option on all Forenza trim levels.
Responsive power coupled with confidence-inspiring agility
Power for the Forenza comes from a sophisticated double-overhead cam, four-valve-per-cylinder
engine that drives the front wheels. This powerplant displaces two liters
and produces 119 horsepower and a generous 126 lb.-ft. of torque at a low
4,000 rpm – more torque than Corolla and Civic resulting in a remarkably
smooth and comfortable ride and easily accessible acceleration for real-world
driving situations. Most of the Forenza’s competitors produce their peak
torque at much higher rpm, which makes for more downshifting, more waiting
or sometimes both. The powerplant is mated to either the standard five-speed
manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Bi-directional hydraulic engine
and transmission mounts help cancel out engine noise and vibration to keep
the passenger compartment quiet. Also helping to quell noise is an insulated
engine cover, a triple muffler system and tri-fold weather stripping.
The Forenza has MacPherson strut suspension up front and a dual-link system
in back, with gas-pressurized shocks at all four corners. When combined with
the Forenza’s speed-sensing power steering (which automatically adjusts the
power steering assist according to the vehicle speed) the result is agile but
stable handling and a high level of comfort. The speed-sensitive steering provides
extra boost for slow-speed, parking-lot maneuvers without sacrificing precise
steering feel at highway speeds. All Forenzas are equipped with 15-inch wheels
with P195/55R15 all-season tires.
Active and passive safety engineering for comprehensive protection
The Forenza is equipped with standard four-wheel disc brakes for superior fade-free
stopping power. The optional four channel Bosch ABS system features Electronic
Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which redistributes braking force according
to changing vehicle loads.
If a collision is unavoidable, the Forenza's crumple zones work to dissipate
impact energy. In the interior, dual front airbags and height-adjustable shoulder
belts work together to protect the front seat passengers. Seatbelt pretensioners
automatically take slack out of the front seatbelts the instant after a collision.
Three-point seatbelts for all passengers in the back seat and the LATCH child
seat system provide additional layers of security.
Suzuki’s Open Road Promise: America's #1 Warranty
Like all 2004 Suzuki models, the Forenza is covered by an unmatched warranty
that's the cornerstone of Suzuki's Open Road Promise. All Suzuki vehicles
boast a 100,000-mile/7-year powertrain limited warranty that's fully transferable
to succeeding owners and free of deductibles for covered items. This is in
addition to the 36,000-mile/3-year new-vehicle limited warranty. This powertrain
warranty covers the engine, transaxle, transmission, front and/or rear drive
system and transfer case (when so equipped). Although others offer longer
powertrain warranties that may seem to challenge Suzuki's, the competitors'
aren't fully transferable. The Suzuki powertrain limited warranty is designed
to boost resale or trade-in value and underscores the corporation's confidence
in its product quality.
Other components of Suzuki's Open Road Promise include an extensive three-year
Roadside Assistance program and a Warranty Repair Courtesy Vehicle program.
The Roadside Assistance program covers any new Suzuki vehicle during the 36,000-mile/3-year
new-vehicle limited warranty period. Available services include tire changes,
jump-starts, lockout service, mechanical first aid, and towing to the nearest
Suzuki dealer or authorized service center. If a Suzuki dealer has to keep
a vehicle overnight for certain repairs during the new-vehicle limited warranty
period, the owner will be provided with a free Enterprise rental car. Since
the beginning of the Open Road Promise last year, the program has notably boosted
Suzuki's customer satisfaction ratings.
|