Showing posts with label vitara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vitara. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Suzuki adds 1.4L turbo on Escudo

2018 Suzuki Escudo

The current-generation Suzuki Escudo, fully imported from Europe, has received a brand new 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine for the 2018 model year.

This new variant for Suzuki's Euro import crossover comes with the brand new 1.4L Booster Jet turbocharged engine producing 136PS of power (19PS more than the 1.6L variant) and 210Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, fuel economy is expected at 16.8kmpl based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards.

To differentiate the turbocharged variant to the non-turbocharged Escudo, it's been given an X-TRAIL-inspired front face, red accents on the interior, and a brand new Bright Red 5 Black 2-tone roof exterior color.

Like the non-turbocharged Escudo, it still remains the ALLGRIP system as well as Radar Brake Support II system for this variant.

The Escudo 1.4L Turbo variant starts at 2,586,600 Japanese Yen.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

New Suzuki Escudo (YD/YE21S)

Earlier this year, Suzuki introduced to the Japanese market the ALLGRIP system via the new SX4 S-CROSS compact crossover, which is quite a capable all-wheel drive system that you can use it almost anywhere. Now, another Euro-imported Suzuki with the same tech has arrived to the Japanese market and this time, it's the turn of the brand new Escudo.

2016 Suzuki Escudo

Yes. This is another Suzuki crossover imported from Europe but even though this is a Euro-import, this is a regeneration to Suzuki's SUV that has its name marked to every petrolhead in the planet because of its involvement to the world of Pikes Peak in its glorious past as well as gamers everywhere. Sadly though, today's Escudo isn't as exciting as we hoped for because even though it has some Evoque-esque looks, it looks somewhat as cheap as the Ssangyong Tivoli, which is one of the Escudo's key rivals.

It's the same case goes to the interior because even though it has some practicality on it like most SUVs, it doesn't have the premium feel like you get in decent looking SUVs, although the analog clock on the center adds a nice touch to it.

2016 Suzuki Escudo interior

2016 Suzuki Escudo interior
Because the new Escudo looks small than what you expect, the engine that powers it is very small. It's a 1.6L M16A petrol engine derived from the Swift. It delivers a reasonable 117PS of power output and 151Nm of torque. Mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox fuel economy is expect from 17.4km/L for 4WD model to 18.2 for 2WD model.  Even though the engine is small, it's quite peppy on the go but quite regrettable if you're pushing it too hard, even on traffic.

Like the new SX4 S-CROSS, the new Escudo features Suzuki's brand new ALLGRIP system for the 4WD model, and if you want a quick refresher, this new generation 4WD system features four driving modes selected by a knob which can adapt through any road surfaces whether if its tarmac, gravel, snow, or just when you want a sharper handling car at ease.

2016 Suzuki Escudo

Even though the Escudo is a cheap crossover full-stop, it's still high-tech in all the right places. There's also Suzuki's Radar Brake Support II system which features a device that can detect incoming vehicles or pedestrians and automatically trigger the brakes in a near collision scenario. One thing you will notice on the Escudo's tech features is the FAR/NEAR switch, which allows its detection of objects can be switched from either far or nearby objects. It's like scoping through an object like binoculars per se. Other tech features include an Emergency Stop Signal which warns drivers from behind, auto light system which automatically switches on when goring through the tunnels, and an auto wiper which automatically turns on the windshield wipers when it senses the rainy weather.

The introductory price for the new Escudo is 2,127,600 Japanese Yen, which is less costly than the previous Escudo, which is still available on the market under the "Escudo 2.4" banner for a short time only. So, should you buy one? We'll let you know if you're interested in this Suzuki SUV imported from Euro but in the meantime, there are so many SUVs which can do better than the Escudo. When your luck for SUV buying for the imminent winter has run out, you'd better off with the new Escudo instead.

Available Colors: Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic/Black 2-Tone Roof,  Galactic Grey Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, and Cool White Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Escudo Pikes Peak Version is a rare find at the GT5 Used Car dealership!

Escudo Dirt Trial Car in Monza


Back when I was kid, and playing Gran Turismo 2 on my PSX, I tried to win more and more races just so I can get this one-of-a-kind rally car from Suzuki, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version. Every GT fanatics love the Escudo Pikes Peak Version because of the over-the-1000HP power output.

At Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec on PS2, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version is dethroned by the Formula Gran Turismo race car and the reason is because of the Formula GT's lightweight capability, making it a more agile, faster race car that can achieve better lap times that the Escudo Pikes Peak Version can't. The Formula GT can be used only on tarmac while the Escudo is made not just on tarmac, but on dirt because this is a rally car we all loved.

Trying to keep up with its reputation...

On Gran Turismo 4, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version, now renamed as Dirt Trial Car, can be obtained as a prize car. Well, I forgot what race what that but anyway, you know what it is. And now, in Gran Turismo 5, the former King of Gran Turismo cars is here to stay at the used car dealership and it's not easy buying that car because I think the pricing goes to a 1.4 million credit mark and the required A-Spec Level is 23.

...even for the former King of Gran Turismo cars

I felt like I may be not in a mood of driving the former King of Gran Turismo cars (since it was dethroned by the Formula GT and now, the Red Bull X1 Prototype) but since I want to collect more, I have the urge to buy the Escudo Dirt Trial Car.

(Laughs) Just like old times, Escudo. I thought I never forget you. At least the probability to find the Escudo Dirt Trial Car on the Used Car dealership is somewhat 5%, so check back every time until you find this former King.

Despite reputation, the Escudo's still a GT King for me...

If I am unhappy, I could just gift it to an online buddy who didn't have one...