Goodyear may no longer...
Goodyear may no longer be in grand prix racing, but its new Eagle F1 Asymmetric tyre uses the latest technology. As the name suggests, the firm has ditched a directional pattern in favour of an asymmetric tread for its flagship rubber. This has allowed the grooves to be optimised for different requirements, such as dry grip or water shifting.
And if you think you"ve...
And if you think you"ve seen it all before, that"s because this Suzuki will also be sold in the UK wearing a Fiat badge. Auto Express has already tested the Italian firm"s almost identical version, the Sedici, in issue 886.
Now the wraps are now off the Suzuki SX4 - which will make its debut at next March"s Geneva Motor Show. Visual differences include unique front and rear bumpers, chunkier wheelarch mouldings and a corporate grille.
Roughly the same size as a Ford Focus, the newcomer"s jacked-up stance gives it the look of a junior off-roader. Drawing on the firm"s heritage of producing small but capable 4x4s, the tall-riding hatchback boasts a clever Suzuki-developed four-wheel-drive set-up and a choice of three engines.
In normal conditions, an economical two-wheel-drive setting can be selected on the three-mode system. When the going gets tough, drivers can engage all four wheels simply by flicking a dash-mounted switch. There"s even a diff-lock for tackling rough terrain.
Unlike its Fiat cousin, the SX4 will also have the option of a low-cost front-wheel-drive variant. The range will come with a choice of two petrol engines - an entry-level 99bhp 1.5-litre unit and a more powerful 107bhp 1.6-litre - or a Fiat-derived 1.9-litre DDiS diesel, when the car hits showrooms next April.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but expect entry-level 2WD petrol models to start from around í‚á£10,000, while the range-topping 4WD oil-burner - complete with six-speed manual gearbox - will be close to í‚á£15,000. Bosses expect the front-wheel-drive 1.6-litre petrol model to be the biggest seller.