Suzuki Aerio

Manufacturer	Suzuki
Also called	Changhe-Suzuki Liana Suzuki Baleno New G Suzuki Liana
Production	2001–2007 present; (China, Pakistan)
Assembly	Kosai, Japan Karachi, Pakistan
Predecessor	Suzuki Esteem/Suzuki Cultus Crescent Suzuki Swift
Successor	Suzuki SX4
Class	Compact/Mini MPV
Body style	5-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Engine	1.3 L I4; 1.5 L I4; 1.6 L I4; 1.8 L I4; 2.0 L I4; 2.3 L I4; 1.4 L Diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,480 mm (97.6 in)
Length	4,230 mm (166.5 in) (hatchback) 4,350 mm (171.3 in) (sedan)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1,550 mm (61.0 in) (hatchback) 1,535 mm (60.4 in) (sedan)

The Suzuki Aerio (called the Liana (Life In A New Age) in China, Europe, South Asia, Taiwan and Australia) is a compact car that was built by Suzuki Motor Corporation. It was introduced in 2001 as a replacement for the Suzuki Esteem/Baleno, with a tall 5-door SX model hatchback (for maximum inner room efficiency) and a 4-door sedan body. It featured two different 16-valve gasoline straight-4 engines, with 1.5 L and 1.8 L, this one capable of 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) JIS. Production was discontinued in 2007 around the world and replaced by the Suzuki SX4, except in China where it is built by Changhe-Suzuki ^[1] and Pakistan where it is still being assembled by Pak Suzuki Motor.

Models in North America got a larger and more powerful 2.0 L engine with 145 hp (108 kW). A 5-speed manual transmission was standard with a 4-speed automatic optional. All-wheel-drive was available, but only with the automatic. American Aerios came in two trim levels: the S and GS (2002–2004), S and LX (2005), and Base and Premium (2006–2007). Key changes over the years included an upgrade to a new 2.3-liter 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) engine in 2004, a major styling and interior refresh in 2005 (replacing the digital instruments with conventional analog ones), and the standardization of antilock brakes in 2006. Only the Aerio sedan remained for 2007, as the hatchback had been shelved to make room for the new 2007 SX4 hatchback. Likewise, the Aerio sedan [called Baleno Next-G in Indonesia] bowed out at year's end, making way for the 2008 SX4 Sport sedan [called Neo Baleno in Indonesia]. Throughout its run, the Aerio was distinct for being the most affordable car in America to offer all-wheel-drive.

In Europe, where the car was called Liana (an acronym for "Life In A New Age"), it was seen as a more affordable alternative to small family cars or to mini MPVs, introducing a new generation of Suzuki M engines, with 1.3 L and 1.6 L I4 engine. All wheel drive was available on the bigger engine. In 2004 the car was restyled with a look that closer resembled the Japanese version, and also received a Diesel engine, with a 16-valve version of the 1.4 L HDi engine supplied by PSA Peugeot Citroën, capable of 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) thanks to common rail direct injection and a variable geometry turbocharger.

The Liana was best known^[2] for its appearances in the BBC's Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment, as the saloon model was used from its first show until the model's replacement by a Chevrolet Lacetti in the show's spring 2006 season. Today, it enjoys a partial retirement, only being brought back when the guest is a Formula 1 driver.

Changhe-Suzuki in China released a new 1.4L Liana hatchback in October 2010, called Liana a+, which has been sold alongside 1.6L versions.^[1]

The Liana remains in production in Pakistan in 1.3L and 1.6L variants.

Pikes Peak

In 2001, Suzuki specially built spaceframe racing car for hillclimb races with a bodyshell to resemble the Aerio dubbed the Suzuki Aerio P950 Pikes Peak Special driven by its rally team manager and former rally driver, Nobuhiro Tajima.

Tajima retired from the race, one mile (1.6 km) short of the finishing line suffering from mechanical failures,^[3] team-mate Yutaka Awazuhara took the fourth overall in a Grand Vitara.^[4] Tajima would finish as runner up in the All Japan Dirt Trial Championship that year with the same car and won the Race to the Sky hillclimb in 2003^[3] before it was rebuilt as a Grand Vitara, then in 2007 as an XL7, breaking the overall course record at Pikes Peak.^[5]

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  Suzuki Aerio SX (US)

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  2005-2006 Suzuki Aerio SX (North America)

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  2005-2007 Suzuki Aerio sedan (North America)

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  Suzuki Liana

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  Suzuki Liana SE (special edition) saloon, UK model

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Suzuki Aerio

• Official American website