Suzuki SJ
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Suzuki SJ-410/413 | |
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| Also called: | Suzuki SJ-30 Suzuki Samurai Suzuki Sierra Holden Drover Maruti Gypsy Suzuki Santana Suzuki Caribbean |
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| Manufacturer: | Suzuki |
| Production: | 1982– |
| Predecessor: | Suzuki LJ |
| Successor: | Suzuki Jimny Suzuki X90 (North America) |
| Class: | Mini SUV |
| Similar: | Jeep Wrangler |
The Suzuki SJ410 and SJ413 was a mini SUV produced in the 1980s. It was sold as the Suzuki Samurai in North America and South America, the Suzuki Sierra and Holden Drover in Australia and Kenya, the Maruti Gypsy in India and the Suzuki Caribbean in Asia. The 410 came first in 1982, with a 1.0 L engine, and the 1.3 L 413 joined it in 1984.
The Sierra was sold in Australia as the Holden Drover between 1985 and 1987. The Australian Sierra was replaced by the Suzuki Jimny.
In recent years the SJ413, SJ410, and the newer Suzuki Sidekick and Geo/Chevrolet Tracker have been seen more often in off-road situations, as their small size, relatively cheap price and off road ability have made them an alternative to the American Jeep.
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[edit] SJ410
The SJ410, introduced in 1982, was an updated version of the LJ80. It used a larger version of that truck's straight-4 engine at 1.0 L (970 cc/59 in³). This engine produced 45 hp (34 kW), limiting the performance of the SJ. Top speed was just 68 mph (109 km/h), but off-road ability was impressive.
A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, as were non-power assisted drum brakes front and rear. The SJ-410 came as a half-door convertible, pickup truck, 2-door hardtop, raised-roof hardtop, and no-glass hardtop.
The SJ was produced in Spain by Land Rover Santana and sold as a domestic vehicle in Europe due to its 60% native content.
[edit] Long wheelbase
The wheelbase was stretched by 13.5 in (343 mm) in 1983 for a long-wheelbase model. This was 23 in (584 mm) longer overall, allowing for 4 or 6 seat LWB versions. and even a four-door model as found in Indonesia. In 1988 a wide track LWB version was manufactured as a Soft Top, Resin Top (fitted with a factory fibreglass canopy) and Utility.
[edit] SJ413
In 1984 the SJ was revamped with the launch of the SJ413 series. This included a larger 1.3 L (1324 cc/80 in³) engine, a 5-speed manual, a 3 in (76 mm) wider axle width, and power brakes all around with discs in front. The body and interior were also redesigned, with a new dashboard, seats, and grille. The SJ-410 remained in production through 1985 with the old specifications.
[edit] Samurai
Unofficial imports of the SJ series into North America caused Suzuki to prepare a version for official sales. This was introduced in 1985 as a 1986 model as the Samurai and incorporated many updates from the plain SJ. It was priced at just $6200, and 47,000 were sold in the first year alone.
The 1988.5 model Samurai was retuned for on-road use in North America. This included softer suspension settings and a larger anti-sway bar to reduce body roll. A lower 5th gear (.865:1 vs the earler .795:1) increased engine rpm and power on the highway, and improved dashboard and seats made the Samurai more comfortable.
A new 1.3 L (1298 cc/79 in³) engine with throttle-body fuel injection was used from 1990, but power was still low at 66 hp (49 kW). The Samurai was withdrawn from the United States market in 1995 due to low sales. The disputed 1988 rollover report by Consumer Reports was recognized as the cause. Sales were dramatically increasing each year previous to the report. It was replaced by the X90 in 1996.
[edit] 1996
The Samurai continued for sale outside the United States, with a substantial update in 1996. This included a coil spring suspension, though the live axles were retained. The rest of the truck was redesigned as well, with new seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and doors joining a "macho" exterior.
Not all SJ models were updated however, with the original narrow SJ410 still in production in some areas. Even though the Jimny replaced the SJ in most markets after 1998, the SJ remains in production today.
[edit] Consumers Union and the Suzuki Samurai Lawsuit
The Suzuki Samurai gained an infamous reputation of being an unsafe car and prone to a rollover after Consumer Reports, the magazine arm of Consumers Union, reported that during a 1988 test on the short course avoidance maneuver (Consumer Union Short Course Double Lane Change, or CUSC for short), the Samurai experienced what they deemed as an unacceptable amount of roll-over while undertaking the severe turn. The roll-over which CU deemed unacceptable stemmed from the sudden swerve simulation part of the test where, for example, a car backs out of a driveway or drives forward from a side street or intersection and into traffic, causing the driver to unexpectedly swerve to avoid hitting the object that is obstructing the drivers path.
The dispute and eventual lawsuit stemmed from the CR statement easily rolls over in turns, which CR attributed to the sudden swerve test, and not meant to generally apply to the Samurai in retrospect to other tests that CR undertakes to simulate normal routine driving such as 0-60 MPH acceleration and stopping. However, the use of the adverb easily may have been misconstrued and/or misunderstood by others to indicate that the Samurai was inherently an unsafe car prone to roll-overs in any sort of driving conditions.
Suzuki sued on the grounds that the statements made by CU damaged their reputation and the reputation of their vehicles in 1996. Suzuki sued for $60 Million in damages and unspecified punitive damages. However, after an 8-year legal battle, both sides settled out of court through mutual consent in 2004.[1]
In the settlement, CR agreed to mention the agreement that it "never intended to imply that the Samurai easily rolls over in routine driving conditions." And it notes that it "never questioned the safety of any other Suzuki model" and, in fact, "praised the Suzuki Sidekick and recommended the Suzuki Vitara/XL-7."[2] This agreement is noted whenever mention of the Suzuki Samurai is made in any media CR publishes, such as Used Car guides and even website searches on their website.
However, the reputation of the Suzuki Samurai roll-over tendency is still prevalent even today; a recent notation was made on TV show Mythbusters and in their snowplow flips car segment.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ USA Today Consumers Union, Suzuki settle suit over tipping claim By By Earle Eldridge, Posted 7/8/2004. Accessed 8/13/2006
- ^ SUZUKI AND CONSUMERS UNION AGREE ON DISMISSAL OF LAWSUIT consumerreports.org, Accessed 8/13/2006
- ^ Suzuki Samurai myth Discovery Channel Fansite, Accessed 8/13/2006
- Suzuki's 4x4 History. Off-Road.com. Retrieved on March 2, 2006.
