Adventure comes in all forms – whether you’re the type who is excited by roughing it, or just taking a smooth trip to your destination. Adventure is more than a destination. It’s a mind-set, a feeling, an attitude.

This month, we look at a few of the adventures that Suzuki can take you on – in mind, body, or spirit.

First, we catch up with Brendon Carpenter on part two of his Jimny trek of 1880km, in just 10 days. Check out the second instalment for an action-packed run-down of his trip. We also take a group of brave and ambitious journalists on the 4×4 trail of a lifetime at Bass Lake!

We investigate the Suzuki 4×4 club’s trip to the Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve, where they camped, went on game drives, and did some 4×4 trails with the animals – seeing South Africa from the best vantage point on the market.

In our fan news, a Suzuki bike fan shows off his collection, and his passion for the Suzuki range.

In our busy April, we even launched a new dealership! ‘Welcome!’ to Suzuki Paarl – an amazing partner, contributing to our expanding presence in the Western Cape. They could definitely do with a few more Suzukis on the mountain!

In product news, the Suzuki Grand Vitara impresses at the annual Bloem Show, and the new Ciaz shows off its stuff in a road-test. Our marine division also gives you a rundown on the DF200A/AP, a fuel-efficient model guaranteed to give you years of boating adventure.

Whatever your adventure, Suzuki will take you there. What better time to start?

Suzuki proudly launched Suzuki Paarl on the 14^th of April this year. Situated in Triangle Park, Suzuki Paarl offers a wide range of Suzuki models, including the affordable Celerio, the adventurous Jimny, and the super-slick Ciaz sedan.

In addition to the new models on the market, Suzuki Paarl also offers a range of pre-owned models, sold complete with existing service-plans, to give new car owners full peace of mind. They have also established a workshop for services and repairs, giving Paarl the full Suzuki treatment, true to Suzuki’s policy of excellent pre- and post-sale service.

The launch, held at the new showroom, hosted over a hundred attendees, with Suzuki’s Managing Director, Sato San, and Divisional Manager of Sales and Marketing, Andre Venter, overseeing the exciting event. The branch was warmly welcomed into the Suzuki family, and offered the full support of Suzuki South Africa.

With the general good feeling and confidence that sales will increase from an already astounding 16 cars to date, Suzuki Paarl has its trajectory set, and an exciting future ahead.With a starting staff-complement of four sales executives and two workshop staff, the dealership is perfectly equipped to accommodate all your Suzuki needs – from test-drive, all the way to the post-sale maintenance and trade-ins or upgrades.

The showroom is open from Monday to Saturday, and more information on car sales and deals can be found on their website: http://www.suzukipaarl.co.za/

Alternatively, contact them by phone on 021 862 2622

Motor journalist Gordon Hall states “We get attitude in Suzuki’s 2015 Ciaz GL”.  The Suzuki Ciaz, which is an acronym for Comfort-Intelligence-Attitude-Zeal, impressed him with its features and pricing.  Take some time to read what he has to say about the newest member of the Suzuki family and contact your nearest dealer to book a test drive and experience the comfort for yourself.  Remember, it is time to #MakeWay for the Suzuki Ciaz. 

Click here for full story, or book a test drive now!

We have shared all the details and specifications of the new Suzuki Ciaz as we introduced you to our new family member, we have revealed the great Suzuki Ciaz television commercial warning you to #MakeWay for the ultimate traffic stopper, we have encouraged you to book yourself a test drive …. so all that is left to disclose is the great pricing! Have a look at our retail offer and then go book your test drive – today!!

Suzuki was extremely proud to receive a message from one of our die-hard fans this month: Francois, motorcycling enthusiast, showed off his not one, not two, but three Suzuki motorcycles.

He has collected the entire DL650 V-Strom range, from the very first, launched in 2005, to the latest model, the DL650XT, launched this year.

The middle child in his happy family is a 2014 DL650 V-Strom.

The DL650 is a versatile, all-condition motorcycle that can handle mild trails, as well as track-days – so if you are looking for something that will take you on all your adventures, with great performance, this is your next bike.

Suzuki Marine have a number of new products on offer once again this month  The new DF200AP, the more advanced model of the DF200AT, is now available and features two new accessories – the multi function gauge and the innovative keyless start.  Suzuki Marine have also introduced a new side-mount control box this month.  Have a look at all the details of these new products and accessories and get in touch with your Suzuki Marine dealer to order yours!

With the launch of the Suzuki’s latest lightweight and fuel efficient model – the new four cylinder DF200A/AP – the manufacturer is leading the way with innovation by featuring its Keyless Start System on the DF200AP model.

Suzuki has been at the forefront of outboard technology since 1965, and the Keyless Start System is the latest feature to set Suzuki apart from the competition. A first in the marine industry, the Keyless Start System uses a coded key-fob to transmit an access code to the engine’s starting system. When the key-fob is within one metre of the console, the user simply turns on the ignition system switch and starts the engine with the push of a button. When it’s time to leave, the user can turn off the engine, switch the ignition system switch and head off for home. With the key remaining safely in the user’s pocket, the system offers simple, stress-free operation while reducing the risk of a lost key. The system makes for an excellent theft deterrent since the outboard will not start without the proper access code. And further to this, the key-fob floats so the user can retrieve it should it ever go overboard.

Masahiro Yamamoto, General Manager for Suzuki Marine European Liaison Office, explains, “We’re pleased to bring the Suzuki Keyless Start System into the marine market as it will provide boaters with enhanced security and convenience. Our engineers take a lot of time and care over the development of new technologies and we’re confident this system will prove popular among our customers when this outboard becomes available in May 2015.”

The new Multi-Function Gauge, displays a wide variety of information including engine rpm, speed, trim angle and diagnostics based on digital data received from the outboard motor.

The next generation gauge – complete with a 3.5” colour display – offers great reliability, utilising Suzuki’s original warning system to provide the operator with accurate warning information.  This is the first colour LCD gauge offered as a genuine part by an outboard manufacturer. It’s easy to see, easy to read and easy to understand – and in addition to this, it boasts day and night modes and the option to choose between digital and analogue functions. With its built-in NMEA 2000 compatibility, the unit can send and receive data to other marine electronics – adding further benefit to the end user. The new gauges are available throughout Suzuki’s extensive dealer network.

Suzuki has also unveiled its new look side mount remote control box. Suzuki has once again listened to its customers and has acted positively to create a sleek and stylish new unit that matches the high quality of its outboard motors.  The new look remote control unit, which is used on models DF4 – DF250, will retain the standard features that Suzuki customers know and trust, such as; a fast idle lever for easy warm-ups, a key-type ignition switch, an emergency stop switch and a 21’ wiring harness.

Both the new DF200AP with its accessories and the new look side remote control box are available from your Suzuki Marine dealer.  Alternatively for more information visit us at www.suzuki.co.za or contact Tanja Maes at tanjam@suzukiauto.co.za.

Click here for more information on the Keyless Start System and Multi Function Gauge.

The Suzuki 4×4 Club recently spent some time at Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve trailing with the animals!  The reserve is situated on the R27 on the west coast, less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town.  With accommodation, a bush camp, game drives and 4×4 trails, it is a great destination to take your Suzuki, friends and family and put them to the test on the 4×4 route.  This is exactly what the Suzuki 4×4 club WP organised for their members this past month.  We share with you the story from one of their new members as she recounts her adventures on her second 4×4 trail, ever.

“Saturday was the first time I’d been camping in nearly twenty years, Sunday was my second 4×4 trial EVER and what an adventure the weekend at Buffelsfontein proved to be!

I set off for Buffelsfontein on the Saturday (via Atlantis I hasten to add) and received a friendly welcome from the ranger who directed me to where I would find the campsite. I sailed in there with a smile on my face, having come across some blue wildebeest and ostrich along the way, only to come to a grinding halt once I drove into deep sand – my fault entirely as I was still in two wheel drive!!!! Thanks to a gallant gentleman, who deflated my tyres and suggested I change into four wheel drive, my Jimny ‘floated’ out of the sand and I had arrived!!!!

The other enthusiasts appeared throughout the afternoon with many a discussion about driving in sand dunes and much talk of the main ‘obstacle’ on the trail (more of that later).

Fires were lit, braais eaten and the amazing stars admired – I haven’t seen a sky so full of stars since my time in Magaliesburg – absolutely beautiful. After a fun filled evening I tipped myself into my tent and didn’t stir until sunrise.

Then the reality set in – I now vaguely knew what to expect having completed my first 4×4 trail two months previously and to be honest I nearly stayed behind to help with the fires!  But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So with fear and trepidation (and my wonderful co-pilot Susie) I set out with the other Jimnys to tackle the course.

After a false start (driving in the wrong direction completely) we headed off for the dunes. All seemed to be going well until we came to the much discussed ‘hill with a bend’. My mentor got stuck so what hope had I (I thought) but through sheer ignorance and following the instructions, I put foot, revved the engine, drove at 20k and flew up the hill with my co-pilot singing words of encouragement in my left ear. Hallelujah – we made it on our first attempt!  With legs now turned to jelly we watched the rest of the gang make their way up the hill.  Some took longer than others, but what a show of camaraderie amongst the fellow drivers, with much celebration going on upon reaching the top.

I thought it was all over but no – we now had to come down the dreaded hill again.  That seemed to go more smoothly than the ascent, and before we knew it, we were back at camp – with the brave boys going off to ‘play’ in the sandpit!!!!

After that there was prize giving and slaps on the back before we upped camp and went our separate ways. We were followed out of the camp by four giraffes – which was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend.”

Last month we shared the first half of our very own Brendon Carpenter’s adventures as he tackled Sani Pass.  This month we finish off the story as he heads through the central Drakensberg in his trusty Jimny to join the Suzuki 4×4 club on their three provinces adventure – completing his 1880 kilometres in 10 days.  And why you may ask?  Well the answer is simple – #BecauseJimny!

After a magical two days at Umzimkulu and Sani Pass we headed to the Central Drakensberg – the long way round. Our route took us through the most beautiful scenery where we encountered up- and downhill S-bends while listening to South African music.  In this case it was Beatenberg’s Hanging Gardens Album, resulting in sensory over-load! Judging by the way I drove through the twisties, one would think that I was blasting in a Swift Sport, not a heavily loaded Jimny.

The locations we stopped at included the Howick Falls and the spectacular Nelson Mandela Capture site on the R103.  All attractions you miss when you travel on the boring N3. Who does that?

After spending two days at the Drakensberg Sun Hotel for my birthday, we then headed to Clarens via Golden Gate. All the places I have been aching to see since, like, forever! Our route took us past the magnificent Sterkfontein Dam, through Golden Gate and into Clarens. The scenery was amazing!

Our last hours in Clarens were spent reordering the camping gear that we had been tugging along for the last few days.  It would finally be put to good use on our arrival in Volksrust. After stopping at the local bakery we had an impromptu picnic at Golden Gate, and headed to Volksrust via the rural back roads.  The route took us past Harrismith and Memel in the Free Stat, through harlestown in KZN and into Volksrust in Mpumalanga- three provinces in one trip.

4×4 Three Provinces Adventure Camp

Upon arriving at the 4×4 Camping spot, we met our fellow Suzuki 4×4 Club members – in their Jimnys!  We set up camp, built a fire and chatted the night away, discussing our thoughts on the next two days’ 4×4 adventures.  Our “Jimny crew” received Suzuki Buffs, and even the Toyota and Land Rover crews who joined us received and donned their Suzuki branded buffs with pride.

The last two days were spent putting my Jimny through its paces on what are regarded as tough 4×4 trails that will form part of the annual Battlefields Trophy. Watch this space for a full report on this next month!  Till then, ciao!