The Star: June 22, 2017

THE SPECS
PRICE Suzuki Ignis Limited, $22,500
DIMENSIONS Length, 3700mm;
width, 1660mm; height, 1595mm
CONFIGURATION Four-cylinder,
front-wheel-drive, 1242cc, 66kW,
120Nm, continuously variable
automatic
PERFORMANCE 0-100km/h,
12sec
FUEL USAGE 4.9l/100km
It’s not easy making a small car look stylish.
However, Suzuki is the master at it, take their
recent models – Celerio, Baleno and just
recently, the Ignis, they are all trendy, funky
models which relate to a large cross-section
of car buyers.
The Ignis is brand-spanking new and is
dubbed by Suzuki as a small sport utility
vehicle. That sums it up well, it has the looks
of a SUV, but at just 3700mm it is squat and
will appeal to those who like easy entry and
exit along with a tallish driving position and,
of course, a budget price. The newcomer
starts at just $18,990, automatic transmission
will add $1510, while the Limited variant, as
tested, sits at $22,500, although if you want
two-tone paint that’s an additional $490.
Interestingly, the Ignis in Limited form is just
a four-seater, there are only two seat-belts
in the rear and the configuration lends itself
SMALL & SPORTY
WORDS ROSS KIDDIE
more to adaptable load carrying options.
However, there are Isofix child seat tethers
for those who have young ones in tow. If you
want to seat three across the rear, the entrylevel
GLX is a five-seater, albeit it would be
tight widthwise for adults.
The Ignis is also a car which lends itself to
sporty appeal. Sure, it’s not a rocket ship, but
with the way it can be dressed and optioned it
has specification and features which will make
it stand out even more amongst others.
Under the bonnet is a 1.2-litre, fourcylinder
engine and it is engineered for
economy along with respectable power outputs.
Suzuki rate it with a 66kW and 120Nm
outputs, even though torque peaks tallish in
the rev band (4400rpm), the engine works
freely thanks to the matching of it to a
continuously variable automatic transmission.
According to Suzuki’s advertising material,
the Ignis will return a 4.9-litre per 100km
(57mpg) combined cycle fuel usage average.
In my opinion that would be quite achievable,
during evaluation time the trip computer was
constantly showing 6.9l/100km (41mpg) with
a 5l/100km (56mpg) figure cruising quietly at
100km/h, the engine turning over slowly at just
2000rpm in the tallest part of the gearing.
It has taken me a long time to warm to CVT
transmissions, but today’s units are so normal,
the Ignis works through the gearing much like
a traditional automatic. There’s even a sport
mode which will hasten engine revolutions
should the driver decide a little bit of extra
oomph is needed, say for a highway overtake.
In terms of performance, that can be
achieved in around 7.5sec, while a standstill to
100km/h time of 10.9sec is not to be sneezed
at.
The engine is a willing worker and charms
with its quiet operating manner and lively
response – that’s another bonus of CVT, the
engine works unimpeded through the
transmission.
The Ignis sits on a new platform and,
although it isn’t sophisticated, it has been
designed as a weight-saving structure along
with a suspension set-up that will allow for
controlled balance when the corners arrive.
Even though rear wheel freedom is
hampered a little by a torsion beam tube
axle, there is just enough movement so that
mid-corner bumps and ruts don’t upset body
balance nor directional stability.
MOTORING I 12
At almost 1.5m, the Ignis is quite tall, and
body movement over softish spring and
damper settings is noticeable. However,
steerage is unaffected and directional accuracy
is quite sharp. I’d like to have a little more
steering feel through the wheel, but in this
modern age of electric power steering systems
most mainstream cars get a light, as opposed
to a firm feel.
Providing the grip are high quality 16in
Bridgestone tyres, even though their footprint
is small at 175/60, there is an underlying feeling
of grip and control, and for that reason the
Ignis feels quite athletic, which considering its
simplicity underneath, is commendable.
In Limited form the Ignis is comprehensively
equipped. All models represent value for price,
but there are a few goodies in the Limited
which you may not expect in a car for this
price such as satellite navigation, Apple Car Play
and Android Auto, keyless entry and ignition,
cruise control with speed limiter, and digitally
controlled air conditioning, just to name some
of the major items. It also has a high safety
specification.
Even though it is marketed as a sport utility
vehicle, it must be remembered the Ignis is
two-wheel-drive (front) only and it isn’t
engineered for life off-road.
However, if you are after a car which is just
a little out of the ordinary with interesting
internal shapes and colours, and an exterior
look which is standalone, then the Ignis is the
car for you.