1990 Suzuki Samuri on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Suzuki introduces reborn Katana motorcycle

At the Cologne INTERMOT motorcycle show, Suzuki has shown its all-new Katana bike. The model brings back the classic, sword-referencing Katana name, which the manufacturer first used in 1980 — that bike, the GSX1100S Katana, was also unveiled in Cologne all those years ago. The bike utilizes a modified version of the GSX-R1000 engine in a lightweight, twin-spar aluminum frame. The engine's 150 peak horsepower comes at 10,000 rpm; the bike weighs 474 pounds. There's a fully digital gauge cluster, complete with the classic Katana logo. The bike's styling is quite dynamic, as if it were in fact sliced into completion using a Japanese sword. It is highly reminiscent of the Katana 3.0 concept Suzuki showed last year at EICMA — consider the new Katana a road-going version of the concept bike. The stacked headlight has LED running lights, and the taillight, fitted in the angular tail, also comprises LEDs. The plate in turn is fixed on a swingarm extension, as near the rear tire as possible. There are fully adjustable 43mm USD front forks and an adjustable rear shock from KYB, Brembo brakes from the GSX-R1000 and Bosch ABS. A three-mode traction control system is included, but it can also be excluded via switching it off. The system monitors wheel speeds, throttle and crank position, adjusting timing and air delivery to reduce engine output when it notices wheelspin. The related GSX-R1000 and R1000R models are also updated; the latter gets an adjustable swingarm pivot and new stainless steel braided brake hoses. The R1000R's bi-directional quickshifter and auto-blipper are now standard on the R1000, enabling smoother gearshifts. The Katana and the updated GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R reach dealers in spring 2019. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2020 Suzuki Katana View 13 Photos Image Credit: Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle Bikes intermot suzuki gsx-r1000

Suzuki Authentics Concept is genuine but drab

Looks can certainly be deceiving. Have a glance at this new Suzuki Authentics concept, for example - we were told that this would, essentially, be a proper sedan version of the new SX4, but our folks on the ground in Shanghai tell us it's actually much larger. Like, bigger than the Kizashi. (Hey, remember the Kizashi?)
Regardless, Suzuki says that the Authentics concept previews a C-segment vehicle for the Chinese market. A good move, too, since that segment has the highest volume in the Chinese market. (That's why automakers like Ford, for example, have more than one offering in the class.) If we're honest, the Authentics concept looks a bit "meh" for our tastes - there isn't a whole lot of emotion going on here with the design. Consider it a competitor for that spiffy new Ford Escort that also took the stage here in Shanghai.
We don't have any more details about the Authentics concept at the moment, but considering the fact that Suzuki has officially exited the US market, at least we don't have to worry about this thing showing up on our shores anytime soon.

Junkyard Gem: 1985 Chevrolet Sprint

For in the 1985 model year, General Motors began selling Chevrolet-badged Suzuki Cultus hatchbacks in California. Sales of the cheap three-cylinder econobox in the rest of North America followed soon after (with the Canadian version known as the Pontiac Firefly), and did pretty well considering the crash in gasoline prices during the middle 1980s. Starting in 1988, the facelifted Sprint became the Geo (and, later on, Chevrolet) Metro. Here's one of the very first Cultuses sold on our shores, found in a San Francisco Bay Area car graveyard. Amazingly, the primitive rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Chevette remained available all the way through 1987, competing with the thriftier front-wheel-drive Sprint in the same showrooms. For 1988, Pontiac started selling a rebadged Daewoo LeMans, so the Sprint/Metro never lacked for intra-corporate competition. Inside, you'll find the same stuff most mid-1980s Japanese econoboxes got: tough cloth upholstery and long-wearing hard plastics. Suzuki quality in 1985 wasn't quite up to Honda or Toyota levels, but you weren't paying Honda or Toyota prices for the Sprint. MSRP on this car started at $4,949, or about $12,000 in 2020 dollars. The cheapest possible 1985 Chevette cost $5,340, while a new no-frills Ford Escort would set you back $5,620. Subaru, however, could have put you in a punitively unappointed base-model Leone hatchback for just 40 bucks more than the Sprint that year. I think I'd have sprung the extra for a $5,348 Toyota Tercel, a $5,195 Mazda GLC, or— best cheap-commuter deal of all that year— the $5,399 Honda Civic 1300 hatchback. I was 19 years old and driving a Competition Orange 1968 Mercury Cyclone that year, and I recall feeling pity for Chevy Sprint drivers, new-car smell or not. Still, these weren't bad cars for the price, though a Sprint with an automatic transmission was a real character-builder. Got three cylinders and uses 'em all! 48 horsepower from this hemi-headed SOHC 1-liter. The Turbo Sprint — yes, such a car existed — had a howling 70 horsepower. The hood-latch release is a rectangular button that resembles a badge. 1985 Chevy Sprint Commercial The highest-mileage, lowest-priced car you can buy. 1985 holden barina commercial The Australian-market version was the Holden Barina, and the TV ads featured the Road Runner. 1983 SUZUKI CULTUS Ad In its homeland, this car got screaming guitars and a drive through New York City for its TV commercials.