Suzuki IGNIS RANGE
Suzukis Promising Ignis Always Seemed To Lack That Vital Ingredient Required To Catch The Publics Imagination. Perhaps The Latest Version Has What It Takes. Andy Enright Reports
The problem with so-called crossover vehicles is that while they often purport to offer the advantages of two different types of car, they can often fall whistling between the two stools, confusing buyers who arent quite sure what theyre getting. The old
Suzuki Ignis was a case in point. Taken in isolation, it was a perfectly acceptable little thing, but what exactly was it trying to be? Neither a fully fledged supermini, compact 4x4 or supermini-MPV, it tried to be a jack of all trades but mastered none. It seems Suzuki went away, licked their wounds and came back with a fresh assault at this rather nebulous market.
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Todays Ignis looks to be made of sterner stuff.
It seems
Suzuki have also reined in the hype. Whereas they rather grandiosely labelled its predecessor a Multi Compact, the latest car, unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, is a plain old supermini, albeit one "with the practicality of an SUV" (sports utility vehicle American for 4x4). Unlike many vehicles that attempt to integrate 4x4 design cues into their styling and just end up looking like charlatans, Suzuki are offering an all-wheel drive Ignis, but its hardly something youd attempt to tackle the Rubicon Trail with. The 1.5-litre 4GRIP model utilises a full-time four-wheel drive system mated to a tough manual gearbox and retails at just £9,699.
This was the flagship of the Ignis range until the £9,999 Sport derivative came along, the front-wheel drive 1.5-litre automatic weighing in at £8,999 and the entry-level 1.3-litre GL front-wheel drive manual car opening proceedings at £7,499. The styling is a good deal more assured.
Although the old Ignis was a chunkily good looking thing, the latest car smoothes the edges a little and adds more mature features that result in a far more upmarket look and feel. The vertical headlamp clusters and flared wheel arches combine with high level pillar mounted rear light clusters and sleekly integrated bumpers to make the Ignis look a good deal more expensive than its budget price tags suggest. Roof rails are fitted as standard to maintain that lifestyle aura. The window line seems modelled on that of the previous generation Mercedes M-class and the Ignis looks set to attract its fair share of new buyers.
"Features that are routinely missing from £15,000 family saloons find their way onto the little Suzukis specification sheet"
The interior changes arent quite so eyecatching but the backlit white dials and six-speaker Blaupunkt CD system are unexpected touches at this price point. The stereo controls are integrated into the dashboard to foil any opportunist villains. Theres also an information display mounted above the stereo that shows the radio frequency or CD track, time, current fuel consumption and outside temperature again features that seem out of place on a sub £10,000 car. The cowled dials look suitably sporting and although the fascia is neatly styled, a little more daring would have definitely paid dividends.
A three-spoke steering wheel is teamed with a leather-trimmed gearknob and gaiter to give a sporting impression although neither of the engines is particularly rapid. Both are, however, Euro IV compliant and extremely fuel efficient so there wont be any unexpected stings in the tail of Ignis ownership. The 4GRIP model features a viscous coupling mounted just ahead of the rear axle to optimise weight distribution and minimise vibration from the axle and differential. The suspension system isnt the most sophisticated around but it does a good job of mopping up the worst high frequency vibrations.
The steering uses an electric power system to take the effort out of low speed manoeuvring. This system offers a number of advantages over a more typical hydraulic system, not least of which is a benefit in fuel economy of between three and five per cent. Enthusiastic drivers may well claim it lacks feel at higher speeds but the Ignis was never really targeted at those who prefer to corner a car on its door handles. Safety is well accounted for with the brakes being the first line of defence.
Big 257mm ventilated front discs give the Ignis prodigious stopping power, especially when backed up by the latest generation anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution. Should the worst come to the worst, the Ignis body is designed to disperse energy evenly throughout the structure. Three-point seatbelts are fitted on all five seats, the front pair also being beefed up with a pretensioning system and the added convenience and safety of height adjustable mountings. Twin front and side airbags are fitted as standard along with active head restraints.
The driving position meanwhile, is much as youd expect from an inexpensive Japanese car of this type, with not much to offend unless youve an aversion to some rather thin plastics. That said, Suzuki have certainly paid attention to those who carped about the old Ignis lack of utility space. With big pockets that incorporate bottle holders on every door, separate cup holders, under dash cubbies and a storage tray located beneath the front passenger
seat, theres plenty of opportunity to stow bits and bobs. The attention to detail is impressive, Suzuki fitting the Ignis with a 60/40 split rear seat back that can be reclined for comfort.
Deadlocks, freewheeling key cylinders, an immobiliser and a visible VIN are all featured as well as remote central locking on every model. Although the Ignis will still confuse some buyers, it offers a lot of car for the money. Features that are routinely missing from £15,000 family saloons find their way onto the little Suzukis specification sheet and this may count in its favour if dealers can tempt customers into showrooms. That may well be the tough bit.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Suzuki Ignis range
PRICES: £7,499-£9,999 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-5
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.8s / Max Speed 99mph [est]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 33.2mpg / (extra urban) 54.3mpg /(combined) 44.1mpg [est]
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: (length/width/height) 3615/1595/1585mm [est]
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