2007 Suzuki Dune Grand Vitara Concept

The "Dune" Grand Vitara is designed for off-road enthusiasts who demand off-road capabilities. Well-equipped with 26 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 3,000 lbs., the "Dune" provides enough muscle to add a huge dose of exhilaration to any weekend.

    The exterior features flared fenders and integrated cladding and running boards, all dressed in lightening yellow paint to match the color scheme of Suzuki ATVs. Roomy on the inside, the five-passenger "Dune" features a rear off-road gear storage and "mobile garage" work station, ideal for last-minute adjustments. The "Dune" also offers a built-in GPS and navigation system. The "Dune" was featured at the 2005 SURFER Poll Video Awards in September and, after an appearance at SEMA in Las Vegas in early November, the Grand Vitara concept will hit the auto show circuit, with stops planned in Seattle, Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, Mo., Denver and Atlanta.

2008 Suzuki SX4 Rally Concept - Racing in 2007

Suzuki Motor Corporation announces today [Tuesday, 28 February, 2006] at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show that it will enter the World Rally Championship (WRC) from August, 2007 onwards.

Suzuki will use its all new Sports X-over vehicle SX4 as the basis for its WRC challenge. SX4, also launched today at the Geneva Show, is another all new and revolutionary concept from Suzuki.

Suzuki's WRC entry is one of the most important marketing and sales initiatives for the Corporation's Automobile Division in recent years. It will boost the image and brand identity of Suzuki as a major and growing manufacturer of cars that are technically excellent, sporty and fun and will also provide technical feedback which will assist in the development of new models for launch in the future as a part of Suzuki's global new product development programme.

Suzuki's decision to participate in the WRC - which, alongside F1, is one of the world's top motor sport championships - follows on from its very successful involvement with its teams in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC). The highlight of this JWRC programme was first place for the Suzuki Ignis Super 1600 in 2004 - in only the third year of participation - in the JWRC Drivers' Championship.

Outline of the Suzuki SX4 WRC

SX4 is the third all-new model to be launched by Suzuki since March, 2005. The other new products - Swift and Grand Vitara, launched in Europe in March and October, 2005 respectively - have both been very favourably received by the media and motorists throughout the numerous global markets in which they are marketed.

The Rally Sport version of SX4 has been developed alongside the models of SX4 that have been perfected for retail sale. This JWRC version will now be the focus of further detailed development and testing to increase its competitive potential to the maximum in order that it can prove to be a worthy WRC challenger from August, 2007 onwards.

Exact technical details of the new Suzuki SX4 WRC will be announced progressively prior to its first competitive appearances. Currently development of its power unit and power train is well advanced and the prototype car is equipped with a new 2.0 litre turbo charged J20 engine. This engine already provides torque of 65kg.m at 3,000rpm and 320bhp at 4,000-5,000 rpm.

The new all-wheel drive system developed for the WRC car by Suzuki includes mechanical differentials front and rear and an electronic differential located in the centre. Power is transmitted via a 5-speed sequential gearbox.

2008 Suzuki Flix Concept

Last year, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) launched its Suzuki LIVE Series (LIFE VEHICLES) a line of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers. In concert with its Way of Life brand proposition, which promises products for active lifestyles, and to support the launch of the all-new XL7 and SX4, ASMC introduces four all-new Suzuki LIVE Series vehicles for 2007, illustrating how its cars and SUVs play an integral part of consumers everyday life.

    The vehicles, coined BaseCamp for outdoor adventure enthusiasts; Flix for film and entertainment buffs; Zuk for motorcycle and racing aficionados; and SXBox for avid gamers; are on display at various auto shows and lifestyle events around the country.

    Flix
    Built by the Carlab of Orange, Calif., and based on the all-new 2007 XL7, the Flix concept offers film and entertainment enthusiasts the ultimate mobile movie experience. The Flix's ultra-rich, super-clean and modern exterior accentuates the redesigned body of the all-new XL7. The XL7 concept is dressed in midnight black paint with platinum accents and deep crimson theater red perimeter LED linear emitters encircling the lower valence of the midsize SUV.

    In addition to its eye-catching exterior appearance, the Flix is outfitted with an unprecedented in-vehicle movie system. After parking at the optimal film-viewing destination, Flix's clamshell roof can be opened, revealing a maximum-size moonroof that serves as a 60-inch movie screen. Additionally, the XL7 concepts front roof panel vents, giving way to a high-density digital projection system to display a family's movie of choice. For those who prefer the traditional drive-in movie experience, Flix's projection system can be positioned to display movies nearly anywhere the side of a building, a billboard or almost any wall.

    The interior look of the Flix resembles a contemporary private screening room, dressed in plush materials to evoke elegance and sophistication. The XL7 concept features four individual bucket seats that pivot 180 degrees to view the elevated giant screen. The Flix also is equipped with a next-generation, high-definition DVD player with integrated hard drive for maximum AV storage, a professional THX/SDS-theater quality sound system, pivoting quarter window speakers and red door/floor strip lighting to further enhance the in-vehicle movie experience.

    About Suzuki
    The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1985 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 520 automotive dealerships in 49 states. Based in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer with sales of more than two million new vehicles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 125 countries.

2007 Suzuki XL7

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today debuted the all-new 2007 Suzuki XL7 midsize crossover SUV at the 2006 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). With the introduction of the new front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive crossover SUV, Suzuki is moving forward to the next chapter in its ongoing SUV success story.

The 2007 XL7 is bigger, bolder and more powerful than the previous generation XL-7 and retains Suzuki’s strong styling cues, while offering available all-wheel drive and available seven-passenger seating. In creating the all-new XL7, Suzuki leveraged its SUV heritage and expertise to design an all-new vehicle for the midsize SUV crossover segment that provides style, room and adaptability for active, mobile lifestyles.

“The all-new XL7 was designed to blend SUV versatility and safety with increased driver and passenger comfort,” said Koji Yamada, chief engineer, XL7. “The XL7 not only offers the cargo and seating flexibility for all aspects of a consumer’s active lifestyle, but performance capabilities and safety features that give them the confidence of being in control.”

Performance and Powertrain

The all-new 2007 Suzuki XL7 evolves from a rear-wheel-drive, truck chassis SUV into a crossover SUV based on the sophisticated GM Theta platform with full-length underbody rails for added strength. The XL7 is now a front-wheel-drive vehicle that features four-wheel independent suspension and available all-wheel drive. The standard powertrain for the Suzuki XL7 is a GM-designed, Suzuki-built 3.6-liter, V6 DOHC engine rated at an estimated 250 hp with 243 lb-ft of torque.

The XL7’s 3.6-liter, High Feature (HF) engine with variable valve timing will be built under license by Suzuki in Japan using Suzuki engine-building technology at the Sagara engine plant.

The XL7 engine was developed as a joint effort between Suzuki and GM engineering and features unique Engine Control Unit (ECU) calibration. The use of the existing platform architecture accelerated the completion of the vehicle, which has been in development for three years.

The 3.6-liter, six-cylinder, DOHC engine is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission that features a manual-shifting (manumatic) mode. Although the new engine is nearly one liter larger than the 2.7-liter engine used in the previous XL-7, the new, larger XL7 was designed to deliver fuel economy equal to or better than its predecessor. EPA fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway for front-wheel-drive variants and 17 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway for all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds.

2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Created by the same Suzuki team that won European acclaim with the Suzuki Swift, the SX4 sedan joins the dynamic XL7 midsize crossover SUV, award-winning SX4 compact sport crossover and media-acclaimed Grand Vitara as an iconic vehicle that embodies the future direction of the Suzuki brand and the company's "Way of Life" spirit. Its 'poised for action' wedge-shape stance, muscular arched fenders and standard 17-inch alloy wheels all reflect the vehicle's eagerness to provide a spirited and responsive driving experience.

"The SX4 sedan will be one of the best-equipped compact cars in America and will perfectly complement our lineup of versatile vehicles," said Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC automotive operations. "Since New York has been home to so many of our significant vehicle introductions, we're delighted to return and kick off the second quarter of 2007 with the launch of Suzuki's latest exciting product."

The SX4 sedan arrives on the heels of an impressive 2006, when American Suzuki enjoyed sales of more than 100,000 vehicles for the first time in its 22-year history. Last year's automotive sales were up 23 percent from 2005 and mark the company's third consecutive double-digit annual sales increase.


Powertrain

Built in Japan, the SX4 sedan features a sophisticated 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine rated at 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque, making it more powerful than the segment volume leaders. It is available with either an automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.

Handling

The chassis of the SX4 sedan evolved from the award-winning Suzuki Swift that received numerous industry accolades worldwide, including many "Car of the Year" awards in Europe and Asia. With an emphasis on dynamic performance, the sport-tuned SX4 sedan brings the excitement of the Swift to the U.S. market. The SX4 sedan features a rigid steel unibody underpinned by a well-controlled chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe to provide stability, crisp and responsive handling and braking, and minimal body roll. For optimal braking performance, it features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as standard equipment.

Exterior Styling

Inspired by a Japanese Kabuki mask, the SX4 sedan has an aggressive front fascia and grille, and appears poised for action with a sporty wedge shape that foreshadows its rewarding driving experience. Its muscular and athletic stance is enhanced by its arched fenders, while the body features a low, rising waistline and large, triangular-shaped windows forward of the front doors to emphasize the car's great traction and dynamic performance. The SX4 sedan also features a standard aero body kit, complete with an available rear spoiler.

Interior

The stylish design continues inside the SX4 sedan. Wide door openings provide the driver and passengers with superior ease of entry and egress, while the large cabin proportions and command seating position optimize visibility to enhance driving confidence and control. The cabin allows comfortable seating for five, with more overall interior space than the segment's volume leaders. The SX4 sedan also features theater-style seating for the rear passengers.

2008 Suzuki Equator Quad Concept

Built at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., the Suzuki Equator features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter DOHC inline four with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque or an optional 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine producing a class-leading 261 hp with 281 lb.-ft. of torque. Designed for outstanding performance and durability, the Equator's V6 engine incorporates an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, Teflon®-coated pistons, variable valve timing and a silent two-stage timing chain.

The Suzuki Equator is matched to either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (I4 and V6) or five-speed manual transmission (I4), and offers an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time two-speed transfer case. For enhanced off-road capability, the rugged Equator offers a comprehensive off-road traction system, including four-wheel limited slip, electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill descent control and hill start assist.

The Equator's strong, fully boxed frame anchors a long 125.9-inch wheelbase (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed), enhancing driver and passenger comfort and stability, while its overall length of 205.5 inches (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed) provides the perfect balance of utility, maneuverability and composure for a midsize pickup truck. The Suzuki Equator features an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and a long suspension stroke for optimized off-road dynamics. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds. EPA fuel economy estimates are still preliminary.

Other Suzuki Equator powertrain components include engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for responsiveness and good on-center feel and standard four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Equator also features a variety of available wheel and tire packages, including 16-inch off-road style wheels with rugged 265/75R16 tires and 17-inch wheels with 265/65R17 tires.

Styling and Utility

The all-new Equator features a contemporary exterior design with a number of unique Suzuki elements, including hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate. Both Equator Extended Cab and Crew Cab models offer an available high-utility bed that includes a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and an extensive tie-down system with adjustable tracks, providing ultimate cargo hauling flexibility through the use of five special "C" cross-section rails mounted in the bed (two channels in the bed floor and one each on the bed side rails and the bed header panel). Removable utility cleats slide into the channels, providing a wide range of attachment points for securing cargo - including Suzuki motorcycles or ATVs. Suzuki also will offer specialized bed accessories that make loading, securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV easier than in many competitive trucks. To further satisfy the needs of active lifestyles, Suzuki will offer its customers a full range of more traditional accessories for use with the channel system, including bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units. Crew Cab models will offer an available roof rack.

2008 Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

NEW YORK (March 20, 2008) – Performing onstage at this year’s New York International Auto Show in front of a packed house, American Suzuki Motor Corp. hosts the world debut of its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, which completes the company’s star-studded cast of media-acclaimed Kizashi concepts. In addition to the North American reveals of Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the global introduction of Concept Kizashi 3 coincides with Suzuki’s announcement that it will produce a sport sedan derived from the Concept Kizashi 3 design.

• Suzuki “Way of Life!” brand spirit illustrated by world debut of athletic Concept Kizashi 3
• Suzuki broadcasts plan to produce global sport sedan based on Concept Kizashi 3 design
• Series premiere of complete Concept Kizashi family

The Concept Kizashi series was developed by Suzuki’s Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which further revealed Suzuki’s new design language.

“Kizashi means ‘prelude’ in Japanese, and that’s exactly what this design represents for Suzuki from both a business and a product standpoint,” said Mark Harano, president, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “Concept Kizashi 3 illustrates our brand character and personifies our heritage, design strength and engineering prowess. With customers in 192 countries and regions, Suzuki is truly a global brand, and the coming model carries on our mission to build the image of our automotive products in North America and eventually match our bikes’ reputation.”

Known primarily as a maker of small vehicles, Suzuki intends for the production derivative of the Kizashi series to serve as the company’s flagship vehicle, strengthening its current product line of small cars, trucks and SUVs with a sporting, more accommodating sedan. The future production model will be built at Suzuki’s brand-new Sagara plant in Japan, currently under construction, and provide an accessible alternative to the near-luxury segment. While a firm timetable has not been announced, Suzuki will deliver the Kizashi-influenced sport sedan to North American dealers by 2010.

The Concept Kizashi Series

Evoking the physical superiority and dignity of a world-class athlete, the Concept Kizashi series was developed to create a substantial presence that redefines the traditional performance vehicle and moves the Suzuki brand upscale. The overall design theme suggests physical strength from intense daily training, with the strong will, commitment and presence of a champion.

Each of the Concept Kizashi vehicles strikes a balance between driver comfort and sportiness, with roomy cabins melded to lean, dynamic exteriors. The hood and body style of all three Concept Kizashis hint at abundant engine power and wind-splitting aerodynamics, while the long wheelbase, aggressive wheel/tire combinations and abbreviated overhangs communicate a performance-oriented, energetic image. A powerful-looking body profile is incorporated throughout the series to convey underlying strength, with large wheels and a wide tread expressing a capacity for superior performance. Beyond its exterior architecture, the Concept Kizashi series constitutes a four-wheeled continuation of Suzuki’s exciting, performance-oriented motorcycle heritage, represented best by its dynamic, world-renowned line of GSX-R sportbikes. Those bikes, some two decades after their introduction, continue to dominate the sportbike segment and have achieved iconic status.

2008 Suzuki A-Star Concept

Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) is pursuing a world strategy designed for long-term growth. Following the launch of its acclaimed fourth world strategic model, the Splash, at the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the company is developing the fifth exciting model in its strategy. It will be showing some of the forthcoming model's design themes at Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi (9-17 January) in the form of the Concept A-Star.

The new model is an A-segment five-door hatchback reflecting a focus on world-class environmental compatibility and comfort. It will have an all new Euro 5-compliant 1.0-litre aluminium petrol engine with CO2 emissions lower than those of European competitors (target: lower than 109g/km). And like all new Suzuki world strategic models, it will prove that sporty and exciting performance can be enjoyed together with outstanding fuel economy.

SMC attaches great importance to India. Suzuki's efforts have greatly contributed to the Indian motor industry's development and have earned Suzuki more than a 50% share of the market there for passenger cars.

Having been early to recognize India's potential, Suzuki partnered with the Government of India to establish Maruti Udyog Limited (now named Maruti Suzuki India Limited, and an SMC subsidiary) whose Gurgaon plant began producing cars in December 1983.

The production model of the Concept A-Star will be manufactured at Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant, and will be marketed mainly in Europe and other countries including India. Production is scheduled to start in October 2008.

The new 1.0-litre aluminium engine will be produced by Maruti Suzuki India, and a manual transmission for it will be manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India, another SMC subsidiary that's based beside Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant.

Suzuki Powertrain India also produces a 1.3-litre diesel engine, but SMC does not plan to use it in the new production car as the new 1.0-litre petrol engine is environmentally superior. SMC is studying options for small diesel engines for production by Suzuki Powertrain India in the future.

Given the importance of India to the Suzuki world strategy, the Corporation is investing substantially in Maruti Suzuki between 2007-2009. It plans to expand production capacity to 960,000 units per year by March 2010.

Concept A-Star is the first concept car in which designers from Maruti Suzuki India's research and development division have been involved from the initial stage of its styling. As such it is an excellent showcase of Maruti Suzuki India's capabilities.

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door

Suzuki launched its first Vitara 20 years ago, creating the world's first compact SUV and tapping into a new market for vehicles that deliver true off-road performance with responsive, fun-to-drive on-road performance. Since then the stylish and versatile SUV has steadily evolved and kept pace with growing demand for good-looking, versatile 4x4s that are as rewarding on the open road as they are motoring off the beaten track.

In developing the new flagship 2.4-litre Grand Vitara, Suzuki has consolidated the design and engineering qualities that have helped the model enjoy such enduring success, while introducing an all-round upgrade in terms of engine performance, equipment specifications, safety, styling and all-round quality.

The result is a compact SUV that offers more than ever before: more power, more style and more driving pleasure but with no adverse effect on fuel consumption or emissions.

The highly specified Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4-litre is available in three and five-door body styles and the arrival of the 2.4 Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door gives a unique offering in the SUV market, with no other manufacturer currently offering this engine/body style combination.

At the heart of the new model is a 122kW/166PS 2.4-litre petrol engine (five-door slightly more powerful at 124kW/169PS). The unit makes full use of advanced technical and design features to deliver improved power and torque, with only modest adjustments in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In fact, with five-speed manual transmission, tailpipe emissions are unchanged at 208g/km for the five-door model (205g/km for Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door).

The engine is also only marginally larger in size, yet it incorporates a series of features seen for the first time on a Suzuki-designed powerplant. These include a balancer shaft, three-stage variable air intake and a tumble control valve in the intake ports to achieve the best possible fuel-air mixture.

Recognising the life saving potential of electronic stability systems, Suzuki is equipping the 2.4-litre Suzuki Grand Vitara as standard with ESP®, part of a company policy to introduce the system progressively on all forthcoming new models and model facelifts. ESP® uses selective wheel braking and controls engine output as necessary to stabilise the vehicle if it detects understeer or oversteer situations which could possibly result in total loss of control.

Further safety measures have also been upgraded, most notably with the introduction of ventilated rear disc brakes and extra shock-absorbing elements around the bonnet, wings and front bumper to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians - a quality that had already earned Suzuki Grand Vitara a very respectable three-star rating in independent Euro NCAP crash testing.

Both the exterior and interior have been given a mild facelift. On the outside there is a revised front end treatment and new door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, while inside the cabin chrome and wood-effect inlays add extra touches of quality, together with improvements to the design and operation of some of the dashboard controls, including a new multi-information display and revised air conditioning control panel.

The 2.4-litre model has a high standard specification including an in-dash 6CD player with MP3 compatibility, rear privacy glass and 17-inch wheels. Five-door models additionally feature leather seats with front seat heating; High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, cruise control, 18-inch wheels and electrically-operated glass sun-roof as standard.

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Recognized by AutoPacific as the "ideal" compact SUV/off-road vehicle, Suzuki Grand Vitara surpasses other SUVs in its size and price category in balancing off-road capability with the very real needs of a daily commute. The vehicle's surprising off-road performance is matched by an equally impressive interior, making the Grand Vitara the perfect choice for adventure-minded drivers seeking to confidently explore the outside world in comfort and style. The ultimate discovery vehicle, the Suzuki Grand Vitara helps customers engage directly with their environment and their experiences.

For 2009, the rugged and award-winning Suzuki Grand Vitara, a true SUV in a segment of "soft-roaders," offers "brute-ute" owners the opportunity to resize for better fuel economy without settling for a "cute-ute" lacking full SUV capability. A standard, all-new four-cylinder engine provides drivers with better mileage, and a new, more powerful V6 delivers fuel economy better than the V6 it replaces.

A new grille and front bumper design accent the Suzuki Grand Vitara distinctive, chiseled-yet-elegant lines, with additional interior enhancements, including illuminated steering wheel controls, a sliding front center armrest, visor extenders, HVAC controls, upgraded audio system and updated cloth upholstery. As with all retail 2009 Suzuki automobiles and light trucks, the Grand Vitara is backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.


Performance and Functionality

The new Suzuki-developed 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces 166 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of peak torque, delivering EPA fuel economy estimates of up to 19 mpg/city and 26 mpg/highway. Available for Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport and Luxury models is a new 3.2-liter V6 engine with 230 horsepower and 213 lb.-ft. of torque, replacing the 2.7-liter V6 engine in 2008 Grand Vitara that produced 185 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Despite an increase of 45 horsepower, the new V6 betters the old motor in fuel economy ratings. The new engine is also 20 percent cleaner than the 2008 model as measured by the State of California's smog index rating. The new V6 also features variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust camshafts, and both Suzuki Grand Vitara engines use a zero-maintenance timing chain in place of a belt.

The Grand Vitara's new four-cylinder engine can be teamed to a standard five-speed manual transmission or a new four-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 is matched to a standard five-speed automatic transmission. To help fulfill their sense of adventure, customers can choose among RWD models, Single-Mode four-wheel drive or Four-Mode full-time four-wheel drive, a traction system unlike anything else offered in the segment. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is standard for all Suzuki Grand Vitara models, along with a new rollover sensor for the standard side curtain airbags. Enhancing performance on any road is a strengthened structure for 2009, plus rear disc brakes that replace the previous drums.

Suzuki Four-Mode four-wheel drive offers the best of both worlds: further aided by a completely retuned suspension, it is exceptionally capable off-road but is civilized on the asphalt. On pavement, drivers can leave the dash-mounted transfer case switch in 4H and the electronically controlled on-demand four-wheel-drive system will apply traction to the front wheels only as needed, optimizing economy. When traveling off-road, or for low-speed power and traction, drivers can turn the switch to high-range 4H Lock or low-range 4L Lock to engage the center differential lock. The V6 models with Four-Mode full-time four-wheel drive also feature Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control, which can enhance driving safety on steep slopes.