New Suzuki Splash – a new mini car

Price it under $10,000 (US), advertise the hell out of it, and make sure it gets near 40mpg highway and it will sell like hotcakes LOL.

Not to mention "America's best warranty"

Can you say "Toyota Yaris?"

Looks better than a Yaris IMO

Why in the world does Suzuki not sell the Swift in the US...

Looks more like a Smart car with the way the back wheels are pushed to the corners. I thought Hyundai or Kia was "America's Best Warranty". Whatever the case, they are "America's Best Warranty" for a reason. You need it.

Yes, both Hyundai Motor Company and Suzuki Auto claim "America's Best Warranty"

another yaris on its way...

Not quite look like Yaris but reskinned version of Yaris (aka Dhaitsu Sirion).

BTW looks stylish and it will sell great.

JUGNU

Suzuki should bring it here to the states so Americans can get more and more choices in the small car market. The more small cars sell here, hopefully the less people will see them as crappo cars. In Europe there are so many nice cars and there are crappy ones. But the more they sell here the greater the chances of getting the good ones. Small need not mean cheap! Look at the MINI, small, stylish, great fun to drive.

You're saying that by bringing more crappo cars like this Suzuki to the US it will actually help their reputation? What really needs to be done is have MB bring the A class and BMW bring the 1 series. That would actually help the segment.

I don't mean bring crappy cars here. I am saying a lot of these small cars are well built and have just as many features that some upper level cars have. But in the US the perception is if it is small, it is crappy. Which is not always ther case. The VW Polo is a small car that is very nice drive and inside is great, but not offered here. The Renault Clio and Megane are other examples of excellent handling small cars that have Bluetooth, Nav and all the other luxuries, yet here it would be considered crap just because it is small. I am saying I am tired of that perception.

I think this could replace the Mini Cooper as the new Mini car. Seeing as how the Mini Cooper is growing in size (the Clubman Mini). This Suzuki looks great, alot less funky looking like the Yaris. Now if Suzuki can offer it here it would definatly be a competition to the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and Honda FIT.

Alec-Not quite. The Clubman is an additional model to the standard size Mini Cooper. You are correct in that the Clubman is 7 to 8 inches longer then the base Mini. However it is not replacing it. Mini is simply branching out into more models. I don't think the Splash will be competition for the Mini is it is more down market. It maybe competition for the Yaris,Fit and Versa.

why does it look so scared?

The dimensions (wheels to corner, small size, and innocent looking 'open-eye bushy tail' headlamps along with the vehicles height) give this car a somewhat surprised or scared look depending on how you see it.

yah give me a swift please, and the sport model one. the only thing this splash does is make me thirsty.

This is actually a good car. Don't make the assumption that just because a car is small or compact that somehow that makes it a "crapo" car. Things have changed quite a bit in the past 5 years because of gas prices. Also, remember that in many countries of the world, unlike the USA, there are many high quality compact or mini cars offered. Take the European market for example. If you used that paradigm over there, that just because a car is small it must be "crapo", you'd be laughed at.
The Suzuki Splash is based off the new Swift platform. And the new Suzuki Swift is anything but a Crapo car. It has received many "Best Car of the Year" awards all over the world. In many countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc.. the new Suzuki Swift has beaten everthing in the catagory such has Honda's, Toyota's Nissan's, etc. for best car in the size/catagory.
So your perception is a bit askew and definitely out of date.
As far as bringing the new Swift over. That is already planned and will be happening. Look for it at the end of 2008 when they release the next generation Swift. But keep in mind that the Suzuki Splash is not trying to be a Swift. Rather, it fills a different catagory. The Splash is supposed to be a good quality highly economical gaz mizer for the entry level buyer. That isnt true about the Swift. The new Swift is supposed to be more of a popular car with a performance edge with good economy but not in the mizer catagory.
If the Splash even makes it to North America and it has the same 1.2 litre engine that the European version has, you can exect 36mpg city, 43 mpg
highway for the manual. 37mpg city and 43 mpg highway for the automatic. Yeah, the automatic gets 1 more MPG in the city over the manual. The computer can shift the car better than you can! lol
I doubt however that we will get the diesel version. But ok, if we did ever get the diesel version here in the USA, it's rated ad 44mpg city, 53hwy. Won't be offered in automatic however, even if it was brought to North America.
Entry level price for the Splash if sold in NA will start at $9500. That wont be a stripped down model either. It will still have power everything, 6 airbags, and even standard electronic stability control!
Top price is expected to be aroud $12'000. That will include better audio upgrades (6-disc cd, 6 speakers, subwoofer), leather wrapped stearing wheel and shift knob, automatic climate control, and sportier body cladding.
I for one deffinitely think there is a big demand for this car in North America.
Lastly, considering Suzuki's sales growth in over the past 5 years (more increase in sales than any other car company in north america) who can argue with their latest proven track record?