Suzuki Splash test drive since 2010 hatchback

Automobile market legionnaire

At first glance, the name of the SPLASH model (spray, surge) causes an association with something entertainment, such as an attraction in the entertainment park, however, in fact, the Splash car is a sample of thoroughness and rationalism.
Well, what can I say, Europe is Europe
In European football, as the decisive matches of the qualifying tournament approached, now high hopes are entitled to Japanese legionnaires Sunsuke Nakamura, who has settled in the Scottish Celtic, or Daisuke Matsui, who performed in the French championship. In the automobile world, we are observing a similar situation: the legionnaire new compact model Suzuki Splash burst into the Japanese market.
Well, well, let's try to ride on the test track, whose condition, gently say, far from the ideal. A clear gear shift, unquestioning obedience, even with increasing speed, very smooth entry into a turn, is a continuous pleasure from driving!
So, now let's check the condition of the tires. And here we are waiting for the PremiumContact 2 tire of Continental Tire, you can rarely find on domestic compact kars.
Suzuki Splash compact model, developed by Europeans for Europeans, you are aware of this from the first minutes of staying at its wheel. The bright difference between the machine and the Japanese cars of this class consists in excellent controllability, this is somewhat unexpected for the model with such a cheerful salon.
Splash was built on the same platform with the Suzuki Swift model, however, everything else from design and ending directly with production is carried out by the Hungarian company Magyar Suzuki Corporation, which, by the way, accounts for 20% of the Hungarian automobile market.
The rights to sell this model were also acquired by the European brand Opel, which implements a CD called Agila. As a result, during the development of the model, Opel made several constructive sentences (we will not use the word intervention here).
In football, very often the topic of discussion is the problem of relationships between legionnaires and local players of the championship. Also with Suzuki Splash, it is interesting to know if this foreigner can become an integral part of the Japanese car market?
European manner of movement
European compact cars have many advantages, the main thing of which is the abuse with a modest engine in volume. Splash is also no exception. A 1.2-liter 4-cylinder engine with a vertical-row location of the cylinders, the maximum power of which is 88 hp, to wait for miracles on the highway from it, to be honest. Nevertheless, it differs in a flat characteristic of the torque in the low -speed range, so there is no particular inconvenience in practice.
I can’t name the exact number of revolutions (in the model that I had experienced, the tachometer is not provided), but when acceleration, the noticeable noise of the engine involuntarily attracts attention. What can you do is one of the features of European cars. The noise, of course, is increased, but does not cut the ear, therefore, making a discount on an impeccable return of the engine, we will consider extraneous noises a sign of the vigor of the car.
The only detail with the Japanese characteristics in Splash, in which everything from the suspension to the tires of European standards is a stray transmission. In Europe, it is replaced by a 5-speed manual gearbox. There is no super-domesticity in the transmission of this type, but it correctly and uninterruptedly performs the functions set by it. In any case, when compared with the robotic mechanical checkpoint in Italian and French models (which, by the way, meets Japanese standards), this is heaven and earth.
I already spoke about the comfort and smoothness of the movement at the beginning of the narrative. On the one hand, stiffness, on the other, one hundred percent recoil. After long internal torment, I decided to interpret this as follows: everything was balanced, and the sharp operation of the engine is justified. And for fans of air in the world there are many other beautiful models!
Another advantage of European compact cars can be called the comfort of the salon. In size, the Splash salon does not reach the level of Toyota Vitz. In the rear seat, which is folded using one movement of the lever, two passengers can freely accommodate, the sizes of the luggage compartment also cause approval. But, the heart on the heart, the size of the salon and the layout can hardly be called a strong argument in this model.
Still, as for the layout in this class of cars there are no equal to the Japanese: Toyota IQ, Toyota Vitz, Honda Fit. This is like in football: according to many legionnaires, in terms of dribbling, the Japanese surpass Europeans.
A premonition of the advancing boom
Sitting Suzuki Splash, I experienced a slight feeling deja vu and could not drive the feeling that I had already experienced this completely new model. Later I realized that the engine and suspension reminded me of Ford Fiesta, which I previously rented in Germany.
That is, Splash leaves a completely European impression, but this is not a guarantee of success in the Japanese market. Motorists of Japan are very reverent to European machines, but, attention, it is not about the average Europeans, but about premium cars.
According to rumors, Suzuki had very big doubts about the release of Splash to the Japanese market. As a result, after long fluctuations, the decision on the release was made, and manufacturers count on the female half of buyers, in contrast to the Suzuki Swift sports model, 70% of the buyers are men.
In fact, it seems that Splash is no less, or maybe even more sports than SWIFT, it is able to squeeze the maximum on suburban tracks.
We cannot but welcome the birth of an unusual model with a beautiful engine and justified cost. Only 1 million 239 thousand yen, well, where will you still find such a miracle for such a price? (Something my narrative becomes like an advertising avenue of Suzuki ...)
In the football world, there are fans not only among the grands performing in the premier leagues of Italy, Spain or England, but also among the Holland Services or the Second Division of the Spanish League. It seems to me that Splash, who came to us from Hungary, will still find his fans, not only due to his complete energy of the name and bright appearance.
Technical characteristics Suzuki Splash
Full length: 3 715 mm.
Full width: 1 680 mm.
Complete height: 1 590 mm.
Wheel base: 2 360 mm.
Machine weight: 1 050 kg.
Drive: front.
Engine: 1.2-liter 4-cylinder 16-valve with a vertical-row cylinder arrangement, DOHC gas distribution mechanism, maximum power 88 hp. at 5,600 rpm, the largest torque is 11.9 kg-m at 4,400 rpm.
Machine price: 1 239 000 yen ($ 13 926).
 
 

A source: webcg.net