Suzuki unveils the Ciaz
ERSTWHILE small car specialist Suzuki is taking on the big boys by entering the most competitive segment in the local car industry, the subcompact class. With over a dozen players from Japan, Korea, America, France, Germany, China, and India—led by the country’s bestselling car, the Toyota Vios—subcompacts make up the majority of vehicle sales in the Philippines.
And like a boxer moving up a weight class— and after waging war in the likewise competitive supermini class with its Alto and Celerio hatchbacks (and achieving impressive success)— Suzuki is wading into battle in the next higher segment.
The Ciaz comes in three model variants: the P738,000 GL Manual, the P773,000 GL Automatic, and the top- of- the- line P888,000 GLX Automatic.
Last March, the motoring media experienced the Suzuki Ciaz in a sneak- peek 235- km round- trip drive to and from Anilao, Batangas, with stopovers at the Suzuki Auto Sucat, Total Service Station Sucat, Nuvali, Tagaytay, until the final destination of the Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort Batangas. This test drive showcased the capabilities of the Ciaz in handling stop-and-go traffic, highway driving stability, mountain-pass handling and longhaul passenger comfort.
Suzuki says that “Ciaz” stands for “City from A to Z,” capturing the essence of Asia’s fast-growing metropolitan landscape. Suzuki claims that the Ciaz offers best-inclass fuel efficiency as well as other advanced features coupled with a sporty, elegant exterior design and spacious, refined interiors.
Size-wise, the Ciaz measures a tad more than three inches longer than the benchmark Vios. The Suzuki is also an inch wider with the same height and rests on a 100mm-longer wheelbase.
Power comes from the Suzuki Ertiga’s K14B 1.4- liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 engine with variable valve timing (VVT) developing 92hp at 6,000rpm and 130Nm at 4,000 rpm. The motor is mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic, both also derived from the Ertiga, the latter gearbox sharing the Ertiga’s fuel-saving transmission technology.
Suspension is via struts up front and a torsion beam axle at the rear. Brakes are front discs and rear drums. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is also in place, preventing the brakes from locking during sudden heavy or panic braking while Electronic Brakeforce Distribution ( EBD) distributes braking force efficiently between the front and rear wheels to further prevent lockups and loss of control. Tires are 185/6515 for the GL and 195/55-16 for the GLX. Steering is via electric power assist.
The Ciaz also comes with a variety of advanced features that once were only available in high-end luxury cars like a multimedia integrated audio unit with an Android touchscreen and six speakers for the GLX (complete with Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as mirror link capability for tablets and smartphones). This innovative multimedia infotainment system comes with preloaded applications such as YouTube, Gmail, Facebook, and the Filipino driver’s go- to app, Waze. GL models have a fourspeaker touchscreen audio system with navigation.
Audio and hands-free connectivity control switches are also found on the steering wheel, facilitating easy access to various tasks. Add these to the keyless push-start system and remote, and the Ciaz delivers a hassle-free driving experience for busy urbanites.
Bridging the gap between Suzuki’s compact models and standard sedans, the Ciaz combines the best of both worlds: great fuel efficiency and ample space. This
“Bridging the gap between Suzuki’s compact models and standard sedans, the Ciaz combines the best of both worlds: great fuel efficiency and ample space.”
subcompact sedan has bigger door openings and a generous 1,730mm width and 2,650mm wheelbase, enabling easier ingress and egress as well as increasing the amount of rear seat legroom, headroom and shoulder room. The GLX comes with handsome black leather seats.
Matching the cavernous interior is the equally spacious trunk, which has a luggage capacity of 495 liters, and can be closed with an electromagnetic latch and features a convenient boot light.
At the core of the Suzuki Ciaz is the patented Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), which boosts driver and passenger protection through a light yet incredibly strong impact-absorption system.
Other safety and security features include dual front airbags, ELR seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force-limiters, side-impact beams, and a keyless entry system with engine immobilizer.
The new Ciaz comes in Pearl Snow White, Metallic Star Silver, Metallic Mineral Gray, Pearl Super Black, and Prime Dignity Brown.
For more information on the Suzuki Ciaz, please visit http://suzuki.com.ph/auto/ and like it on www.facebook.com/ SuzukiAutoPH, https://twitter.com/SuzukiAutoPH and follow on Instagram at @suzukiautoph.