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Copper colourer car is the new black

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

A few months back when writing about Suzuki's new SX4 saloon I mentioned that I had secretly hankered for the copper-coloured hatchback version I had seen outside the company's premises in Tallaght.
All things come to those who wait and last week I did eventually get to drive that attractive looking copper model which I had first set my eyes on at the end of March.
The previous week I had been in the massive Subaru Tribeca and it was a big change to find myself in such a small car, but then it's said that variety is the spice of life.
This car is the Japanese company's third new global vehicle following on from the Grand Vitara and Swift, which was voted Semperit Irish Car of the Year for 2006.
This hatchback is mechanically similar to Fiat's Sedici. Diesel is the 'new black' and the 1.6 diesel which I drove comes in at category 'B' in the new C02 emissions chart which means only e150 tax per annum.
It's a very lively car and you can get from 0 to 100 kilometres in 12.2 seconds. However, I did find the diesel engine a bit noisy. At first I thought it was me, finding it hard to adjust from a petrol SUV the previous week. But my passengers agreed and as the week wore on the noise from the engine didn't abate.
The front seats are slightly raised and provide a good driving position. In the back there is room for three adults, but as I have said so many times you rarely see five adults in any kind of car nowadays.
The boot is a decent size and you can get extra luggage space by leaving down the back seat.
Overall the car has a kind of a boxy feel to it. Yet it's a spacious enough and there is plenty of leg room for everybody. You also get plenty of storage places for drinks etc.
There is plenty of glass and you also get fly windows at the front; they don't open, but provide extra vision. The dash is well laid out and all the controls including the radio/CD were easy to use.
The front of the car looks really good. It's set low, has an attractive grille and the headlamps are worthy of a sports car.
Prices start at e17,495 for the 1.5 five-door hatchback and the 1.6 diesel model costs e19,995. The company has a new offer where you can pay half the price of the car now and the remainder in two years time. Suzuki is gradually gaining a foothold in Ireland and they now have 31 dealers in the Republic.
So many test cars nowadays are black, so it was a pleasant change to drive an attractive copper-coloured motor for a change.

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