SUZUKI gave advance warning of joining the sector for full-size sport utility vehicles when its XL6 concept made its world debut at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. Despite being based on the same platform as the Grand Vitara, the concept's bodywork is more than 17 inches longer and its wheelbase is extended by more than 12 inches.

'This is the largest, most luxurious Suzuki concept yet and it has the potential to define a whole new market segment. 'You're looking at the way Suzuki is going because we'll begin producing a vehicle closely based on this model later this year,' said American Suzuki sales and marketing vice-president Gary Anderson.