Like a pawikan, the Fronx is a master at energy consumption
From two wheels to four, Suzuki has always been known as the quiet yet focused automaker, making the most of what it has been really known to be good at: Designing, engineering, and producing small cars. It had been so good at what it did that its mini 4×4, the SJ Mini Jeep (the direct ancestor of the Jimny) helped cement the Japanese carmaker’s reputation on a global scale.
Here in the country, Suzuki Philippines has made it known that the Jimny isn’t just all about the fun side of 4x4s, it’s also about taking care of nature, and the environment. Last week, Suzuki Philippines paid a visit to the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan, and in formal ceremonies adopted 50 Pawikan nests and turned over a 3-door Jimny to PCC manager Angeline Vigo. In her thank-you speech, Angeline said the Jimny, along with an ATV (that’s also Suzuki branded) would greatly help the team patrol the shoreline, rescue nests, and transport volunteers to hard-to-reach communities and schools for awareness programs on endangered species.
This noteworthy CSR activity served as the meaningful break to the media ride-and-drive Suzuki Philippines organized for the newest addition of its small vehicle portfolio, the Fronx compact crossover SUV. For this occasion, all 20 units that our large contingent drove were the top-of-the-line mild hybrid SGX variant. The fuel economy competition, which began upon take-off at Suzuki Auto Kalookan along Edsa and ended at a Caltex station in Pilar, Bataan (for approximately 160 kms), served to highlight another Suzuki expertise—powertrains that deliver fuel-efficient mileage.
We ended our drive at the picturesque heritage resort Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. As soon as we entered the place, I was approached by a resort guest, a senior by the looks of him, who eagerly asked me if he could test drive the Fronx himself. He approached us again the next day as we were about to leave for Manila, mesmerized by the Fronx, taking snapshots of it along with his female companion, also a senior citizen whom I assumed was his wife (you can never tell these days, after that Coldplay concert incident). What immediately drew him to the Fronx, he said, was the strong SUV-cum-coupe styling.
With the growing popularity of SUVs and crossovers in the Philippines, the introduction of the coupe-styled Fronx in the current market is a calculated move by Suzuki, driven by evolving consumer preferences and market trends. By infusing a sporty and stylish coupe silhouette into a practical crossover body, Suzuki is tapping into a niche that appeals to buyers who want the best of both worlds: The high-driving position and versatility of an SUV, combined with the head-turning aesthetics of a coupe.
Earlier in the day, Suzuki Philippines’ product planning group head Kenny Adia walked us through the Fronx’s design cues, explaining that these give the vehicle a more aggressive look. He explained that the front skid plate, the roof rail, and side fender garnish help the vehicle achieve more of that SUV appeal for their rugged looks. The side skid plate complements the front skid plate, giving the car a sporty look. The 16-inch polished alloy wheels with 196/65 tires give out a bold impression.
The Fronx is powered by a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed AT, producing 74kW/6,000 rpm and 135Nm/4,400rpm of torque. For the SGX variant, the K15C Dual jet comes with a 12V hybrid system. According to Adia, the Automobile Association Philippines-sanctioned fuel economy run on highway driving produced 27.99 km/liter mileage, at speeds ranging from 60 to 70 kph.
My driving partner and I managed to get a 20.72 km/liter fuel efficiency reading after 161 km, or just 7.77 liters of fuel consumed. The winning tandem got 22.89 km/liter, or just 6.99 liters consumed. Not bad, considering those figures are already combined highway, country, and city driving.
Like the pawikan or sea turtle, which is a truly efficient swimmer as every aspect of its biology is fine-tuned to glide through the ocean with the least possible energy cost, the Fronx’s “biology” (powertrain) and design (like the sea turtle’s drag-reducing shell) allows both the machine and the sea creature to travel vast distances by making the most out of every bit of fuel they consume.
But the pawikan doesn’t have paddle shifters, and I used those unassuming little levers behind the steering wheel of the Fronx on our way back to Manila, when no fuel economy readings were at stake. Of course, the drive was more fun, but admittedly, more fuel was also consumed that way.
On our 2-day trip from Manila to Bataan and back (for a round trip of over 400 km), what I found most impressive about the Fronx (apart from the striking exterior design) were its suite of advanced driver assistance systems, particularly the lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, and the adaptive cruise control. The first one proved useful on the tollways, which warned me if the vehicle was about to leave the lane. The second one helped me stick to my lane in the twisty mountain roads in Bataan. The third one helped my right leg and foot relax more during the long drive, while at the same time managing the vehicle’s fuel consumption better.
I sure wish pawikans had some sort of natural “advanced DIVER assistance systems,” warning them of the nearby presence of predators (especially humans), and guiding them away from fishermen’s nets, plastic garbage, and toxic chemicals, and onto safer waters.
The Fronx, which means “Frontier Next” and “Crossover,” was formally launched on Sept. 12 at the Lakehall at Nena’s in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
