2009 Suzuki Equator Spied

We caught Suzuki's Nissan Frontier-based Equator pickup hanging out in California. We got our first glimpse of the badge-engineered truck at the Chicago auto show, where Suzuki showed three concept Equators. Each truck was aimed at a different Suzuki powersports buyer; one was set up for boat hauling, another was ready to follow dirt bikes off-road, and the third was designed for ATV riders.

Shown here as a crew cab, the Equator will also be available as an extended cab truck, just like the Frontier. Suzuki will offer two- and four-wheel-drive models with a choice of a Nissan 2.5-liter four-cylinder or 4.0-liter V-6 engine.

The new front and rear treatments are handsome and an improvement on the Frontier's look. With little else changing on the truck, we're eager to see how pricing of the Equator compares to similar Frontiers.

The 2009 Suzuki Equator is expected to go on sale sometime this fall.

© Source: automobilemag
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2009 Suzuki Equator Preview

The Suzuki pickup truck that will bow at the Chicago auto show next week could carry the name Equator, according to Web site PickupTruck.com.

New Suzuki truck will be built by Nissan North America at its Smyrna, Tenn., plant. The Suzuki pickup will be a version of Nissan's mid-size Frontier pickup, though neither company has specified whether it will be a four-door or two-door truck, long or short bed, four- or six-cylinder.

The pickup will enter production next year, and will only be sold by Suzuki in North America, and in no other global markets. Though the truck will be a rebadged Nissan Frontier, it will get a new fascia and other differentiation. It's not planned to be a high-volume vehicle, though.

In a release accompanied by this artist's rendition of the new truck, Suzuki says that "using several lightly modified versions of its new truck, Suzuki will showcase both the company's diverse brand spirit and illustrate the capability and flexibility of the all-new Suzuki truck."

Stay tuned for more details from Chicago's auto show next week.

© Source: thecarconnection
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