Click above to enlarge the Kiddiemoto GSX-R

Suzuki has recently launched a new two-wheeler in the U.K. which emits absolutely zero emissions. Not only that, the entire machine is made from sustainable materials. Best of all, the bike costs just £99.00. Perhaps the Kiddiemoto GSX-R wooden child-sized bike isn't exactly street legal, but we don't imagine that kids aged 2+ should be venturing out on the street anyway. Painted up just like their dad's GSX-R, the kiddies can spend all kinds of time pretending to slay the dragon.

The Kiddiemoto GSX-R is reportedly made almost entirely of birch wood and it's way cooler than those wooden horses we had as kids. If you like this idea, but need something a bit more adult-sized, be sure to check out the Wikerbike which we featured over on Autoblog a while back. Proof positive that some people have way too much free time on their hands.

[Source: Suzuki GB via Visordown]

Suzuki already has a little experience with vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, as its Crosscage motorcycle concept has been around the block a few times already since it first debuted in Tokyo last year. That two-wheeler is now a running prototype and will again be shown off in its latest form at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Along with the Crosscage will be Suzuki's SX4 FCV, a hatchback with a fuel cell provided by General Motors.

Along with the hydrogen-powered electric machines on display, Suzuki will also debut its new Alto economy car. Built in India by the Suzuki/Maruti joint venture, the seventh-generation Alto will likely get a 1.0-liter engine which will be fully Euro V emissions compliant. While the fuel cell vehicles are likely still a ways off from regular production, the Alto will be on sale in India and in Europe shortly after the Paris Motor Show in October. We've pasted the press release after the break.


[Source: Suzuki]

Click image to enlarge

The new Subaru Stella plug-in isn't the only Japanese green car making its debut next month at the G8 conference in Hokkaido. Suzuki's in the game as well with a new hydrogen fuel cell version of its SX4 crossover, the SX4-FCV. Fitted with a fuel cell supplied by GM, and a 70 MPa (10,000 psi) storage tank for the H₂, the SX4-FCV has a maximum operating range of 250 kilometers and a top speed of 120 km/h (around 75 mph). Power output from the fuel cell is rated at 80 kW, while the motor delivers 68 kW. Road testing has been approved by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and transport, and will commence soon.

[Source: Suzuki]

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In the four years since its debut, Suzuki has made over a million units of the compact supermini vehicle seen above, the Swift. In that time, Suzuki has been able to establish a customer base for these small cars that can only become more pleased with their high mpg rides as gas prices climb. In the UK, the Swift is available with either a 1.3 or 1.5-litre petrol engine (which get 38mpg U.S. and 36mpg, respectively) and a 1.3 DDiS diesel engine version that'll go 51mpg with CO₂ emissions low enough (119g/km) to fit into the lower tax level.

A third of those million Swifts were built Hungary (for the European market) and the rest in various Asian countries. Suzuki's press release (after the jump) says the "Swift is global in outlook and production" but don't look for it here in the U.S. We're not part of the globe, apparently.

Here in the United States, consumers who fill up their fuel tanks are just now beginning to see the type of pain that Europeans have seen at the pump for years. Reactions to the recent rises in gasoline and diesel fuel are pretty much what you would expect, with new car purchasers eschewing gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient models left and right. Even manufacturers have gotten into the game, offering low cost fuel for up to three years in Chrysler's case, or giving gasoline away for free for a few months, as Suzuki has done.

These same manufacturers, though, are not planning on such tactics in Europe, where the trend has been towards smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for a long time now. Only Kia is considering fuel incentives at all, according to Auto Express. Even here in the states, the cheap gas ploy has seen decidedly underwhelming response, so we don't expect to see many manufacturers opt for this type of incentive much in the future. Just building more fuel efficient cars in the first place seems to make much sense, wouldn't you say?

[Source: Auto Express]

Click for more images of the Suzuki SD-01 and SD-02

At the 29th Annual Bangkok International Auto Show, which featured an environmentally friendly theme and ended in April, Suzuki showed off two electric scooter concepts which caught our eye. The SD-01 is the more sinister appearing of the two siblings with its web-look seat and manic flashing light display from the LED headlights, which contrasts slightly with the more subdued appearance of the SD-02, though it also features a pretty cool LED headlight show. Both machines are filled with technology, with the SD-02 standing as the techie-version. Featuring a dash-mounted PDA which incorporates wireless technology to sync with a mobile phone or MP3 player (it plays music through the legshield-mounted speakers), built-in GPS satellite navigation system and lighted grips.

Both models look very cool with their single-sided forks and swingarms. While we have no inclination that either of these scooter concepts will make it into production, let alone come to America, be sure to check out the video after the break for a hint at a possible future model.

Click on the image for more shots of the Suzuki Crosscage in action

We've been keeping tabs on Suzuki's innovative Crosscage concept bike since its debut at the last Tokyo Auto Show. Since then, Suzuki and Intelligent Energy, makers of the fuel cell ENV bike and the fuel cell powering the Crosscage, have been working hard on making this vehicle workable. It's apparently paid dividends, as you can see from the pictures of the bike in operation. From what we can tell, this machine is, in fact, fully operational and is running on electricity. Even exotic parts such as the single-sided front fork and rear swingarm are present and accounted for on the running version of the prototype. Very thin-section tires are used for their low rolling resistance, which should translate into extended range. The seat features an innovative flip-up action, allowing the hydrogen tank to be refilled. There is a full digital dash atop the bars including a tachometer and speedometer. We're rather surprised that this bike has gotten so far in the design stage in such short order. Keep up the good work, Suzuki!


[Source: Solo Moto via Hell For Leather]

Click on the image to enlarge

Due to what Suzuki is calling a "revision in engine emissions," the Swift 1.3-liter DDiS model has had its CO₂ rating reduced from 124g/km to 119g/km, placing it in the UK's Vehicle Excise Duty Band B, which has an annual charge of £35 per year. Additionally, the Swift DDiS will be free of any Congestion Charges in London due to its emissions of less than 120g/km of C0₂.

The new Swift will probably be a decent drive, with 125 lb ft (170 Nm) at just 2000 rpm being plenty to get the little car moving. What's more, the turbo diesel mill will return 61.4 mpg in the Combined cycle. Priced at £10,515 in the U.K., the new DDiS model lies in the middle of the Swift range and marks a pretty decent value for the money. Press release after the break.

Click on the image to enlarge

Last Spring, when Suzuki and Intelligent Energy announced their partnership, we wondered out loud if fuel cell powered-motorcycles were in the offing. What we got was a very cool concept bike at the Tokyo Motor Show called the Suzuki Crosscage, which did in fact use IE's Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology. The bike was clearly just a concept, though.

News comes by way of IE today that they have furthered their partnership with Suzuki. Could we finally start to see bikes like IE's ENV on our roadways? "This is an important next step for our collaboration with Suzuki as we move from a very successful concept toward a range of commercially viable fuel cell motorcycles," said Phil Caldwell, director of business development at Intelligent Energy. With those words, we remain hopeful that this investment and collaboration bears water-emitting fruit in short order.

[Source: Intelligent Energy]

Recently, we told you Tata's $2,500 car would get 59 miles per gallon and, while exited, you had a lot of questions about the car. You are not alone. Suzuki Motor's chairman Osamu Suzuki told reports there were still big questions about Tata's car and seemed to imply it probably won't impact Suzuki. Here is exactly what Osamu Suzuki says about Tata's $2,500 car:

There is a slight lack of clarity about this $3,000 figure. Does it refer to the actual retail price? Or does it refer to the cost of materials that are used in preparing this automobile? It's not quite clear. ... There's not much clarity about which standards, and which year, this $3,000 car is aiming to fulfill. ... Will airbags be included? Will seat belts?

Right now, in Europe we have the Euro3 standards, and soon we will have the Euro4 standards and around 2013 the Euro5 standards will also be implemented. Are [Tata] only planning to release it domestically in India? Are they thinking of exports? There is so much that is not known about this car. ... Our fundamental stance is that rather than Suzuki becoming very concerned about watching over our shoulder to see what other people are doing, we'll move forward at our own pace.

Makers of small, econo-boxes like Suzuki and Honda probably have the most to worry about cars like Tata's Rs 1-lakh. The $3,000 price Osamu mentions is a price some say the car may actually sell for instead of $2,500. In fairness to Tata, the comments we told you about seemed to be a slip and the official debut is in January 2008. There are still very big questions but Tata is Indian's #1 automaker and may have bought Jaguar and Land Rover, so don't write off this car just yet.

Related:

• Tata's $2,500, 59-mpg offering described as "eco-car," on display in January
• Tata claims $2,500 car will be the cleanest in India
• Low cost Indian cars could be environmental disaster

[Source: Rediff]

Below the fold are two videos that proves green can be cool. The first video is Jay Leno showing off his E85 Corvette at this year's SEMA. "Green goes with mean was the message at" SEMA, according to the video's description (and backed up by Jay saying the car has 600 horse power). The second video is all about Suzuki's fuel cell concept bike the Crosscage. The electric engine and fuel cell battery's light weight and compact design means a power output of 155 CCs.

The power and speed every gearhead wants is best accomplished with green, efficient products ... and now EVs are starting to look like they should provide that power and speed. The idea that electric cars are just golf carts is officially dead.

[Source: YouTube]

Suzuki is planning on sending a few concept motorcycles to the Tokyo Motor Show. One of those, the Biplane, has gotten some attention over at Autoblog. We thought that the Crosscage would be better suited to our green-minded readers, as it comes equipped with a fuel cell and lithium ion batteries. No gasoline engine appears to be present. Take a minute and read the press release past the break. Sea bass... uh, I mean Suzuki appears to be using the fuel cell technology from Intelligent Energy, makers of the ENV bike. It looks like the hydrogen may be stored directly in the center of the frame, right where the two intersecting tubes of the frame come together. That would leave plenty of room in the area normally reserved for the gas-tank of a normal motorcycle for the batteries. This is really just conjecture at this point, though, so we'll have to wait until we hear some English press releases to be sure exactly what is going on inside this cool-looking bike.

Besides the fact that the bike is powered by a fuel cell and batteries, the bike looks pretty sporty. Considering the reputation that Suzuki has earned with their GSXR series of bikes, that should not be a shocker to anybody. What is rather interesting, though, are the suspension systems on the bike. That front fork looks suitably high-tech, being single-sided along with the rear swingarm. We're not counting on ever seeing this bike in production form, but it's still an awesome design.

[Source: Suzuki]

Intelligent Energy (IE), known on ABG's pages as the company behind the ENV fuel-cell motorcycle, has announced that they will partner up with Suzuki Motor Corporation on the development of prototype hydrogen fuel-cell motorcycles. Future bikes produced by the partnership will run on Intelligent Energy's proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel-cells that are billed by IE as having class-leading performance in automotive applications. The PEM design utilises thin metallic bipolar plates, allowing the resultant fuel-cell to be extremely compact and easy to mass manufacture.

Intelligent Energy's Chief Executive Dr Henri Winand was quoted as saying, "As a company, we have a range of leading clean technologies based on proprietary fuel cell and fuel processing systems. We work with key partner companies to integrate our systems into their products. It is well known that Japanese companies are particularly sophisticated and knowledgeable when it comes to fuel cell-based products. We are therefore delighted to announce our new partnership with the Suzuki Motor Corporation."

Analysis: The ENV has clearly proved the viability of fuel-cell powered motorcycles but Intelligent Energy was always going to have to partner up with an existing manufacturer to bring their PEM technology to the market in a meaningful way. This partnership paves the way for a whole new class of zero-emission vehicles on our roads.

Related:

• BBC rides the ENV hydrogen bike, reports production may begin by the end of the year
• Gallery: High quality images of the Scoot - a simple electric scooter in search of a partner
• Video of the ENV fuel cell motorcycle in action

[Source: Intelligent Energy press release]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Suzuki Ionis fuel-cell concept

Suzuki Motor Corporation is enjoying a wave of popularity and high sales for its small, inexpensive vehicles in the booming India market. Capitalizing on the growing demand, Suzuki has recently opened three new production facilities on the sub-continent. Fiat-sourced diesel engines and transmissions are being used in many of the vehicles being produced in recognition of the larger share of the market that diesel engines enjoy in India. Suzuki also manufacture many motorbikes for the many consumers in the Indian market who can not afford four-wheeled vehicle.

Analysis: What India really needs are new vehicles that have low emissions as well as good fuel economy to help improve the appalling air pollution found in many of the major cities. Hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles may be too expensive for the Indian market today but I hope that Suzuki are putting particulate filters on those diesels at least.

Related:

• Aussie car round-up ranks economy and practicality
• Suzuki Ionis fuel-cell concept to display at the Melbourne Motor Show
• Suzuki plans to introduce hybrids to Japan and North America ASAP

[Source: Suzuki press release]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Suzuki Ionis fuel-cell concept.

Back in October 2005 when Suzuki first unveiled the Ionis fuel-cell concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, Autoblog covered the news thus, "Let me say this again...Suzuki will NOT be ignored."

Well apparently something is being ignored because the press release I received today says, "Although not intended for production, Ionis gives a glimpse of where Suzuki might soon be heading with eco-friendly production vehicles."

And I have a feeling it's either Suzuki's fuel-cell development, or the Melbourne Motor Show. Surely Suzuki have something new for the show?

The Ionis concept is features a drive-by-wire control system and zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cells mounted under the floor. Also of interest is the in-car entertainment system that allows passengers to download music via wireless Internet access and to watch satellite TV.

Analysis: You'd have to hope that a company could make some headway with fuel-cells in fourteen months, and while the Melbourne Motor Show is far from the world's largest, it's still a little disappointing that the Ionis concept is all Suzuki can muster for the occasion. Still, it's an interesting beast and perhaps Suzuki will surprise me yet with their progress on fuel-cells.



Related:

• A call to URGE² - Use Renewably Generated Electricity, Efficiently
• Need a chauffer? How about one driving the Nissan X-TRAIL Fuel Cell Vehicle?
• Mazda's RX-8 Hydrogen RE hits the snow and ice for the first time

[Source: Suzuki]