A new Suzuki designed for the North American market is set to be a smash hit on this side of the Atlantic, believes the firm's UK importer. 'Our only disappointment with the new XL-7 is that we're likely to have to wait until July for right-hand drive supplies to arrive,' a spokesman told Fleet NewsNet as the new seven-seat car was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show.

To be launched in Europe at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February, the biggest and most versatile Suzuki yet has been produced at the request of American Suzuki Motor Corporation president Rick Suzuki.

'Our sales have risen by 20% in each of the last two years and we're on course to do even better this year. XL-7 is one of the reasons we're confident - it will put us into the mainstream of the SUV sector because it's just the right size,' he said.

With a 12.6in longer wheelbase than the Grand Vitara, the new car is 19 inches longer overall and features three rows of seats. It is driven by a 2.7-litre V6 engine and comes with a choice of manual or automatic transmission.