17-02-2005
Inspired by a new era of automotive personalization, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) presents its latest creation – a Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV specially designed to match the personality of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jr., co-host of the new urban show, “The Drop,” on the national Sí TV network.
As an í example of its growing outreach to younger car buyers, Suzuki is sponsoring a series of segments on the Sí TV entertainment í variety show and is customizing a different Suzuki vehicle for each of the show’s four Generation Y hosts. ’ s The Grand Vitara developed for 28-year-old Kareem reflects his self-described “sporty, high-tech” personality and identification with his Trinidad and Tobago heritage, exemplified by elements of that country’s flag incorporated into the exterior ’ s paint treatment, seats and corners of the floor mats.
While Kareem’s specially modified SUV ’ s – best described by him as an “Athletic James Bond-type of SUV,” Abdul-Jabbar Jr. saw the potential in the production Grand Vitara and gave the customizing team his wish list from which to create his one-of-a-kind concept vehicle.
Enhancements by Pacific Coast Motoring reflect Kareem’s personality ’ s and include custom paint on all rims; custom upper and lower grilles; performance dual exhaust system; Sony Playstation 2; seven-inch monitors set into headrests; Crestron Home Automation Multi-Media head unit; leather-wrapped seats with red piping and a basketball hoop in the rear compartment. Sound enhancements for this unique vehicle include powerful 900-watt amplifiers and 1250-watt sub-amplifier for the 10- inch subwoofer.
Beyond the customized enhancements, even a production Grand Vitara delivers on the Suzuki “have-it-all” philosophy, offering value-minded buyers an SUV that is right-sized, fullyequipped and delivers impressively with a truck-type ladder frame, a standard 2.5-liter V6 engine and an available dual-range four-wheel-drive system that goes where many light-duty all-wheeldrive vehicles simply can’t. ’ t. For 2005, the Grand Vitara boasts an impressive roster of standard
features including power windows, door locks and side mirrors; tilt steering wheel; keyless remote entry; automatic climate control; in-dash CD player with seven speakers including two dash-mounted tweeters and an adjustable power subwoofer; and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Possibly the most amazing thing about the Grand Vitara is its starting MSRP between $18,399 and $22,599.
Text and photos courtesy of Suzuki Motor Corporation
