View source for Suzuki Escudo

{{Infobox Automobile
| image          = [[Image:Suzuki Sidekick JX 4-door.jpg|250px|1996-1998 Suzuki Sidekick JX 4-door (US)]]
| name           = Suzuki Escudo
| manufacturer   = [[Suzuki]]<br>[[CAMI Automotive]]
| production     = 1989&ndash;2003
| aka            = Suzuki Sidekick<br>Suzuki Vitara<br>Geo/Chevrolet Tracker<br>Mazda Proceed Levante
| class          = [[Mini SUV]]
| assembly       = [[Hamamatsu]], [[Japan]]<Br>[[Ingersoll, Ontario]], [[Canada]]<Br>[[Linares, Jaén]], [[Andalusia]], [[Spain]]<br>[[Kosai, Shizuoka|Kosai]], [[Japan]]
| layout         = [[Front-engine design|Front engine]], [[rear-wheel drive]] / [[Four-wheel drive]]
| body_style     = 2-door [[SUV]]<br>2-door [[convertible]]<br>4-door [[SUV]]
| predecessor    = [[Suzuki Samurai]]
| successor      = [[Suzuki Grand Vitara]] (Sidekick)<br>[[Chevrolet Equinox]] (Tracker)<br>[[Pontiac Aztek]] (Sunrunner)
}}
The '''Suzuki Escudo''' (known as '''Sidekick''' in North America and '''Vitara''' in [[Europe]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Australia]], as well as North America after 1999) was a small [[off-road vehicle]] produced from 1989-2004.  The [[North America]]n version was produced as a joint venture between [[Suzuki]] and [[General Motors]] known as [[CAMI Automotive|CAMI]].  The vehicle was a follow-up to the popular [[Suzuki SJ413|SJ413]] and [[Suzuki Samurai|Samurai]].  Also, this vehicle, while sold in [[North America]], was designed to slot above the Samurai.  A larger version is also made, known as the [[Suzuki Grand Escudo]] (known as '''Grand Vitara XL-7''' in other markets).

== General Motors rebadges ==
The Sidekick was sold in various badges such as the Geo Tracker (Chevrolet Tracker after 1998) in the [[United States]], and as the GMC Tracker, Chevrolet Tracker, Asüna Sunrunner and Pontiac Sunrunner in [[Canada]].  It was also sold as the [[Santana 300]] and [[Santana 350|350]] in [[Spain]]. In the [[Japan]]ese home market, it was variously sold also with [[Mazda]] badge. The 1st Generation Escudo was sold in Mexico as the Chevrolet Vitara. The 2nd Generation is currently sold in Mexico and Brazil as the Chevrolet Tracker, as the Chevrolet Grand Vitara in other Central and South American countries, while in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile is sold as the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

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==First generation (1989-1998)==
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = First generation
| image          = [[Image:Suzuki-Sidekick-convertible.jpg|250px|Suzuki Sidekick Sport convertible (US)]]
| production     = 1989-1998
| wheelbase      = 2-Door: {{Auto in|86.6|0}}<br>4-Door: {{Auto in|97.6|0}}
| length         = 2-Door: {{Auto in|143.7|0}} (1996-98)<br>{{Auto in|142.5|0}} (1989-1995)<br>4-Door: {{Auto in|158.7|0}}<br>4-Door Sport: {{Auto in|162.4|0}}
| width          = 2-Door: {{Auto in|65.2|0}} (1996-98)<bR>{{Auto in|64.2|0}} (1989-1995)<br>4-Door: {{Auto in|64.4|0}}<br>4-Door Sport: {{Auto in|66.7|0}}
| aka            = Suzuki Vitara<br>Suzuki Sidekick<Br>Geo/Chevrolet Tracker<br>GMC Tracker<br>Asuna/Pontiac Sunrunner<br>Chevrolet Vitara/Grand Vitara<br>Mazda Proceed Levante
| height         = 2-Door: {{Auto in|64.3|0}} (2WD, 1992-93 & 1996-98)<br>{{Auto in|65.6|0}} (1989-1991)<br>{{Auto in|65.1|0}} (4WD, 1992-93 & 1996-98)<br>{{Auto in|64.4|0}} (2WD 1994-95)<Br>{{Auto in|65.2|0}} (4WD 1994-95)<br>4-Door: {{Auto in|65.7|0}} (2WD)<Br>{{Auto in|66.5|0}} (4WD)<Br>{{Auto in|66.3|0}} (Sport)
| engine         = 1.8L {{Convert|120|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Straight-4|I4]]<Br>1.3L {{Convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Straight-4|I4]]<Br>1.6L {{Convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>1.6L {{Convert|95|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Straight-4|I4]]
| related        = [[Suzuki X-90]]<br>[[Suzuki LJ80]]<br>[[Suzuki Jimny]]<br>[[Suzuki Vitara]]
| transmission   = 3-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<bR>4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
}}
The original 1989 [[North America]]n Sidekick was available as a 2-door [[convertible]] or [[hardtop]], in 1.3 liter JA and more powerful 4-wheel-drive JX & JLX trims. An {{Convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} 1.6 liter, 8-valve, 4-cylinder engine was available on the JX & JLX. 1990 brought the deletion of the upscale JLX version. In 1991, a 4-door Sidekick with a lengthened [[wheelbase]] was introduced and the following year a {{Convert|95|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, 1.6 liter, 16-valve engine was introduced. 1991 also brought the introduction of rear [[antilock brakes]]. The original Sidekick was updated in 1996 with a new Sport version available with {{Convert|120|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, 1.8 liter 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. The Sport also had dual [[airbag]]s, 2-tone paint and 16" Alloy wheels.

In 1996, Suzuki introduced the [[Suzuki X-90]] which was mechanically identical to the Sidekick but had a much rounder body, a trunk, and removable T-bar roof. The [[Suzuki X-90]] disappeared from Suzuki's lineup after the 1998 model year. The Sport variant was replaced by the [[Suzuki Grand Vitara|Grand Vitara]] in 1999.

In [[Spain]], production went on at Suzuki's partner [[Santana Motors|Santana]] with the Vitara nameplate. After a facelift in 2005 the name was changed to Santana 300/350.

In [[Australia]], there were two models available. The [[Suzuki Vitara|Vitara]] JX and the [[Suzuki Vitara|Vitara]] JLX. The JLX featured mainly with powered windows. Both versions featured the 1.6 Litre engine. In May 1997, Suzuki introduced the 1995 cc 2.0 Litre 4 Valves/Cylinder Double Overhead Cam engine with both soft top and hardtop 3 door models. This engine was rated at {{Convert|97|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} @ 6300 rpm. At the same time the 5 door models received the 1998 cc 2.0 litre V6. Engine power rated for the 5 door V6 models was at {{Convert|100|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} @ 6500 rpm. The 1.6 litre variant for the 3 door models were named the Suzuki Vitara Rebel. All models in [[Australia]] were sold as four wheel drives. 

The naming scheme, engines and trim options available in [[Chile]], closely follow that of the Australian market. In 1998, there became available models featuring 1.9 litre [[turbodiesel]] engines from [[Renault]], built in Spain by [[Santana Motors]], all of them were [[4WD]] vehicles, but there were no automatic transmissions available. Since 2001, all diesel 1st Gen Vitaras are to be imported from [[Argentina]], built by [[General Motors]] in Argentina, featuring 1.9 litre HDI engines from [[PSA Peugeot Citroen |PSA]], all of them with 5-speed mechanic transmissions, while automatic transmissions are only available with Japanese built models with gasoline engines.

<gallery>
Image:'89-'91 Suzuki Sidekick 2-Door.JPG|1989-1991 Suzuki Sidekick 2-door (North America)
Image:'94-'95 Suzuki Sidekick 4-Door.JPG|1994-1995 Suzuki Sidekick 4-door (North America)
Image:Suzuki_Vitar_front_20080209.jpg|Suzuki Vitara 2-Door
Image:Suzuki-Sidekick-Sport.jpg|Suzuki Sidekick Sport 4-door (US)
</gallery>


==Second generation (1999-2003)==
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = Second generation
| aka            = Suzuki Grand Vitara<br>Chevrolet Tracker<br>Chevrolet Grand Vitara<br>Mazda Proceed Levante
| image          = [[Image:'02-'03 Suzuki Vitara Convertible.JPG‎|250px|2000-2001 Suzuki Vitara convertible (North America)]]
| production     = 1999-2004
| wheelbase      = 2-Door: {{Auto in|86.6|0}}<Br>4-Door: {{Auto in|97.6|0}}
| length         = 2-Door: 151.6 in (2000-01 JS)<Br>152 in<br>151.8 in (2000-01 JX)<br>4-Door: {{Auto in|163|1}}
| width          = {{Auto in|67.3|0}}
| height         = 2-Door: 65.7 in (2000-01 JS)<br>66.1 in (2000-01 JLS)<Br>66.5 in (2000-01 JX & JLX)<br>4-Door: 68 in (2000-01 JS & JLS)<Br>68.5 in (2000-01 JX & JLX)<Br>2-Door & 4-Door: 65 in (2002-03 2WD)<br>65.8 in (2002-03 4WD)
| engine         = 1.6L {{Convert|97|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>2.0L {{Convert|127|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Straight-4|I4]]
| related        = [[Suzuki XL-7]]
| transmission   = 4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
}}
The Escudo/Vitara was redesigned in 1999, and the Sidekick name was dropped in North America, using the '''Vitara''' name instead.  It was a 4-seater which in Europe featured 1.3&nbsp;L, 1.6&nbsp;L and 1.8&nbsp;L [[straight-4]] [[gasoline engine]]s available with [[carburator]] or [[electronic fuel injection]]. 16 valve engines 1.8 [[liter]]s and a 2.0 liter [[V6]]. [[Diesel engine]]s were also available in [[Europe]]. The Vitara was available with 4- and 5-speed [[manual transmission]]s, as well as [[automatic transmission]], and in hardtop 2- or 4-door models or soft-top 2-door models:

In America, the regular Vitara (not grand vitara) was available with a 1.6 and 2.0 four cylinder, with the vast majority of 1.6 liter motors being found in the two door variants and the 2.0 in the four door versions.  A 2.5 liter v6 was also available, which became standard in 2004.  All were available with manual transmissions or four wheel drive, via a manual transfer case. Vitara was not discontinued in 2003; production continued in the existing body style until 2005 in the existing body style and continues in an updated body style to the present under the Grand Vitara name. The Vitara was the last compact SUV sold in the US to retain a body on frame construction until 2006 when Suzuki phased it out for the newer unibody Grand Vitara.

The four Chevy tracker shared the platform with the vitara from 1999-2004 and though the two are cosmetically nearly identical, there are many differences in the wiring, color combinations, wheels and tires, switchgear, and other technical details.  The two door trackers also shared the two door vitara body style for some years.




<gallery>
Image:1st-Suzuki-Vitara.jpg|2000-2001 Suzuki Vitara 4-door (US)
Image:'02-'03 Suzuki Vitara 4-Door.JPG|2002-2003 Suzuki Vitara 4-Door (North America)
</gallery>

==Competition special==

Suzuki used a specially built spaceframe racing car for [[hillclimb]] races with a bodyshell to resemble the Escudo. This race car was specially tuned with 987 [[Horsepower#Brake_horsepower|bhp]] and  [[four wheel drive]], sporting huge [[aerodynamic]] aids. It was entered by Suzuki in a number of Japanese events in the late-1990s, where it beat most of the competition.  <ref>[http://www.suzukisport.com/english/motorsport/pikespeak/pikespeak.html COMPANY PROFILE - PikesPeak<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{bad link}}</ref>

The car regularly takes part in the [[Pikes Peak International Hillclimb]], driven by [[Nobuhiro Tajima|Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima]] and is identifiable by its large rear wing and red paintjob. The car is referred to as the '''Pikes Peak Edition''' in the [[Gran Turismo]] videogames, although that name has never been used by Suzuki.

==See also==
*[[Suzuki SJ413]] 
*[[Suzuki Samurai]] 
*[[Suzuki Grand Vitara]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==


*[http://www.4wd4x4reviews.com/suzuki-sidekick-tracker-escudo-review.html Suzuki Sidekick/Chevy Tracker Review - 4WD4X4Reviews.com]
*[http://www.4wdtraveller.com/2008/06/trail-test-1999-2005-suzuki-vitara-4x4_7245.html On the trail with the Suzuki Vitara/Escudo 4x4 - 4WDTraveller.com]
*http://www.hawksuzukiparts.com/tourpackage/virtual_tour.htm Suzuki & Tracker Rare Models
*http://www.vitara-racing.com : UK team racing an Escudo / Vitara in the [[Southern Counties Off Road Championship]]

{{Suzuki North America}}
[[Category:Suzuki vehicles|Escudo]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]
[[Category:1980s automobiles]]
[[Category:1990s automobiles]]
[[Category:2000s automobiles]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1989]]