The Japanese automaker will also show a new people-centred vehicle, under the Sustainable Mobility concept. It consists of a one-person low-speed transport device called the PIXY and a minicar-based mobility unit called the SSC (for "Suzuki Sharing Coach"), which forms an automobile when the PIXY is paired with it. Together, the PIXY and SSC deliver personal and shareable urban transportation in line with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Next-Generation Vehicle and Fuel Initiative, which is aimed at realising the world's most people-centred motorised society.
The PIXY is a one-person transport device based on a concept of friendly mobility. Moving at low speeds on footpaths and inside buildings, it's easy to operate even for people who can't drive conventional cars. It can be paired with the SSC for greater possibilities.
The SSC is a minicar-based mobility unit with which the PIXY is mated to form an automobile. It can hold up to two PIXYs, yet, it's not the only type of unit with which the latter can be coupled; PIXY can also be paired with an SSF sports-car unit, or with a boat unit called the SSJ. The result is a new kind of personal mobility and sharing system. For other new possibilities, the X-HEAD comes as a cross-utility vehicle. Familiar with the Jimny and Grand Vitara (Escudo) off-road capabilities and the Carry load-carrying competence, the X-HEAD aims to combine functionality and fun.
The "X" of the X-HEAD name refers to the diversity of a potential which adapts to various lifestyles and needs. A key feature is that it can hold various load-bed units for diverse purposes. For instance, it can hold a unit called the Camper, which allows two adults to sleep in comfort, a unit called the Fashion, which provides urban mobility, or a unit called the Rescue, which is designed for rescue operations in a wide range of road conditions. Then comes the PALETTE minicar with a cabin for four people. It delivers a level of comfort that Suzuki considers unprecedented among minivehicles. It has left- and right-hand powered sliding doors and a low, flat floor for convenience.
On the overseas production models side, the Splash, which represents a world strategic model for Suzuki, will be launched in Europe in spring 2008. As a shortened Swift MPV, the Splash is aimed at young families as well as singles, and will be marketed also by Opel under the Agila badge.
Suzuki expects its Splash to be a major player in the mini-MPV segment, targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 Splash units throughout Europe. The 3.72 m-long car offers space for five occupants in a relatively tall body (1.6 metres) and a width of 1.7 metres. In total, the Splash / Agila has a luggage capacity of 1150 litres accessible through a large trunk lid.
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