Suzuki Aerio

The Suzuki Aerio (called the Liana (Life In A New Age) in Europe, South Asia 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 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.

Models in North America got a bigger 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 strange 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 bowed out at year's end, making way for the 2008 SX4 Sport sedan. 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 is called Liana (an acronym for "Life In A New Age"), it's 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 is 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 is best known for its appearances in the BBC's Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment, as the sedan model was used from its first show until the model's replacement by a Chevrolet Lacetti in the show's spring 2006 season.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact/compact cars manufactured by Honda. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer.^[1] The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded. Having gone through several generational changes, the Civic has become larger and more upmarket, and it currently slots between the Fit and Accord.

It was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback that September. With the transverse engine mounting of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions.^[2] Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, a rudimentary heater, foam-cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with air conditioning, power locks, and power windows, plus options like leather upholstery, satellite-linked navigation, and a six-speed manual transmission. Initially gaining a reputation for being fuel-efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly, later iterations have become well-known for performance and sportiness, especially the Civic Type-R and Civic Si.

The Civic has been rebadged for international markets with such models as the Honda Ballade and Honda Domani/Acura EL. The Civic platform also served as the basis for the CR-X sport compact, the CR-X del Sol targa convertible, and the CR-V compact SUV.

As of 2008, the Civic has been the top-selling car in Canada for eleven straight years.With high gas prices and a weak economy in June 2008, the Civic supplanted the Ford F-150 to become the top-selling vehicle in the United States for that month.

source : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Nissan Serena

The Nissan Serena started life as a very small people carrier, but grew larger over time. Earlier versions were FR layout with a live axle mounted on leaf springs. Later versions had a multilink independent rear suspension, and were FF layout or 4WD. The most popular versions were the 2.3 diesel engines and it was unusual as the MPV had 8 seats instead of the usual 7.

Until around 2002 the standard petrol engine was an SR20DE. In the early nineties, Nissan produced a version with the turbocharged SR20DET to carry people very rapidly.[1] From 2002 onwards the Serena used the QR20DE and QR25DE. A variety of other engines were used over the years, including diesels specifically the CD20 (for commercial van version) and the CD20T 1973 cc Diesel Turbo for people movers. Models were manufactured in Japan from 1991 onwards, many have now been imported into Australasia and the United Kingdom. Nissan produced many different versions FX, SX etc. Full-Auto (full time) 4WD versions were also produced providing greater stability and better handling. The 2.3 non turbo diesel was never manufactured for the Japanese market and its seating arrangement and interior fittings are not the same as the 2.0 petrol (SR20DE), 2.0 Diesel (CD20) and Turbo Diesel (CD20T) models manufactured in Japan for the local market. Auto-Express once named the Serena as the slowest passenger car in the benchmark 0-60mph (now 62mph) test.

Had the Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager never been developed for the North American market, this would most likely have been the MPV sold in the North American market, where it would have not only competed with its most formadible and principal competitor in the home JDM market, the Toyota Estima/Previa, but also the Chrysler Corporation minivans had it ever been sold in the North American market. The engines that would have been most likely sold in the MPV in the North American market would have been either the SR20DE, and the SR20DET to compete with the Estima/Previa's supercharged 2TZ-FZE in the North American market, in addition to competitive V6 powered minivans/MPVs by the Domestic Big Three American auto manufacturers.

Honda Fit / Jazz

The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback subcompact car, manufactured by the Honda Motor Company of Japan, first introduced in June 2001 and now in its second generation. The Fit uses Honda's Global Small Car platform, also used by the City/Fit Aria, Airwave, Mobilio, and the Mobilio Spike. The nameplate Jazz is used in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa - while retaining the name "Fit" in Japan, China, and the Americas.

Models

The Fit is sold in 6 variations. All Fit/Jazz models throughout the world utilize one of 7 or more distinct codes. They are found in the vehicle’s identification number (VIN):

• GD1: 1.3 L L13A I4 engine 2WD
• GD2: 1.3 L L13A I4 engine 4WD (Japan only)
• GD3: 1.5 L L15A I4 engine 2WD
• GD4: 1.5 L L15A I4 engine 2WD (Canada and United States only)
• GD5: 1.5 L L15A I4 engine 4WD (Japan only)
• GD6: 1.2 L L12A I4 engine 2WD (Europe only)
• GE3: 1.4 L L13A I4 engine 2WD (2007 UK model. Made in China)

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris brand is used to refer to non-Japanese versions of: Toyota Vitz, hatchback (1999–present) sold as the Toyota Yaris in South Africa, Europe, South America, and later in Australia and North America and JamaicaToyota Belta, sedan (2006–present) sold as the Toyota Yaris in North America, South America, Jamaica and Australia, and sold as the Toyota Vios in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Production	1999–present
Predecessor	Toyota Starlet
Class	Subcompact/Supermini car
Layout	FF layout
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual CVT

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is a pickup-truck-based passenger vehicle (PPV) produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota for some Asian, African and Latin American markets. Assembled in South Africa, Asia and South America, the Fortuner is built on the well-established platform of the Toyota Hilux pickup truck. It features three rows of seats and is available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive among others. The Fortuner is part of Toyota's IMV project, which also includes the Hilux and the Innova. A number of engine options are available depending on the country of sale, including a 2.7 liter 2TR-FE and 4.0 liter 1GR-FE V6 petrol with Variable Valve Timing and 2.5 2KD-FTV and 3.0 1KD-FTV common rail variable geometry turbocharger Diesel models. Trim levels are G and G Luxury for rear-wheel drive diesel and gasoline, and V for four-wheel drive Diesel and gasoline. The common rail turbo intercooled diesel has functional scoop on its hood. The model is not sold in North America, but the FJ Cruiser, which is, is of similar size and design. In 2007 Toyota Thailand dropped the four-wheel drive gasoline model and replaced it with a two-wheel drive gasoline version. This car is the best selling in its category (SUV/PPV) in the Philippines and Thailand.

Production	2005—present
Predecessor	Toyota Hilux Sport Rider
Class	sport utility vehicle
Body style(s)	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	IMV
Engine(s)	2.7 & 4.0 VVTi gasoline, 2.5 & 3.0 D4-D Diesel
Wheelbase	2750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4695 mm (184.8 in)
Width	1840 mm (72.4 in)
Height	1790 mm (70.5 in) (without roof rail)
Curb weight	approx. 1800 kg (3968 lb)