WITH the Splash, a new fresh and exciting small car, Suzuki intends to gain a significant market share in this growing market segment in Europe.

The new flexible compact car combines the sportiness of Suzuki's successful Swift model with the technologies and immense know-how of the Japanese world market leader in the mini car segment.

The Splash is not the successor of any specific former Suzuki model, but a brand new concept to satisfy the needs of demanding European customers in terms of roominess, compactness, modern design, aerodynamics, quality, driveability, performance and environmental friendliness.

The safety equipment encompasses state-of-the-art features such as six airbags and an electronic stability program (ESP).

It looks fresh, energetic, juvenile and emotional and thereby underlines the aspiration of its name Splash.

Within the global growth strategy of Suzuki, the Splash is already the fourth entirely new model within three years after the launch of Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 which all embody Suzuki's unique Way of Life!' philosophy.

Within this market segment, the car convinces with a relatively tall body (1.6 metres) based on the chassis from the sporty Swift. With its overall length of 3.7 metres and width of 1.7 metres it offers an amply tall and comfortable roomy cabin with sufficient legroom for adults on all seats. Its modern design leads to excellent aerodynamic efficiency and consequently to low carbon-dioxide emissions.

The Splash will make its worldwide debut at the International Motor Show in September in Frank-furt.

Sales of the car with its excellent ride comfort will start next spring. It will be available with two different petrol engines - a 1.0 litre, three-cylinder, 12-valve unit with maximum power of 65hp and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve unit with maximum power of 86hp.

With these engines, low friction and plentiful flat torque delivery at low and mid-range speeds help to ensure good driveability across the rev range while promoting fuel economy and limiting CO2 emissions.

Customers preferring a diesel engine can choose a proven 1.3-litre, common rail, 16-valve unit with optional particulate filter and a maximum power of 75hp.

In light of the growing need for environmental compatibility, emissions of all three engines with 5-speed manual gearbox are between only 120g/km and 140g/km. The petrol engines were both newly developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation as next-generation power engines.

The diesel engine will be produced at Suzuki's plant in India under licence from Fiat Powertrain.

Suzuki aims to sell up to 60,000 units per year of the Splash in Europe.

The new model has been developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and will be produced by its subsidiary company Magyar Suzuki Corpor-ation in Hungary