Suzuki is a relatively small brand in the U.S. auto market and is known mostly for its economy cars. The company is better known for its motorcycles, ATVs and outboard motors. Suzuki calls customers for those products "confident explorers." Suzuki is teaming with Nissan to offer a pickup that can haul and tow its recreational products. At the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Suzuki announced that it is branching out into the pickup market with the Equator, a midsize pickup based on the Nissan Frontier.
Instead of production models, Suzuki showed three active lifestyle concept trucks that appeared to be close to production ready. Those trucks, the Equator RMZ-4, Equator Quad and Equator Quay, each had its own personality. The RMZ4 is an off-road-oriented truck; the Quad features an optional long bed and is meant for outdoor adventurers; and the Quay is outfitted for watersports and towing.
Though the production vehicle wasn't shown, Suzuki did release some information. Styling will be exclusive to the Equator, with a bold upright grille. Like the Nissan Frontier, the Equator will come in Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles, each with rear- or four-wheel drive. The Extended Cab will have rear-hinged rear access doors and a 6-foot long bed, while the Crew Cab will have full-size rear doors and a choice of a five-foot short bed or a 6-foot long bed.
Bed accessories will include a spray-in bed liner and a tie-down system with adjustable tracks and removable cleats. Accessories such as a bed divider, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units, will also be available through dealers.
Rear- and four-wheel drive will be offered. The four-wheel drive is a part-time system that should not be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Available off-road enhancements will include limited-slip front and rear differentials, a locking rear differential, hill descent control, and hill start assist. Safety features will include traction control, electronic stability control, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and a tire-pressure monitor.
On the inside, the Equator will offer seating for five, a fold-flat front passenger seat, removable storage boxes underneath the rear seats, and a dual glove box. The Crew Cab will be available with leather upholstery. Other available features will include a Bluetooth hands free cell phone link, a 380-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system, and satellite radio.
Like the Frontier, the Equator will offer two Nissan engines. The base engine will be a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Also available will be a 4.0-liter V6 that will crank out 261 horses and 284 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder will come with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 will be offered with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Towing capacity will max out at 6500 pounds.
The Equator will be built at Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. Suzuki hasn't announced trim levels or pricing, but expect the Equator to start at about $16,000 and top out at round $28,000, just like the Frontier. It will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2008 as a 2009 model.
On Sale:
Fourth Quarter 2008
Expected Pricing:
$16,000-$28,000
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