My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak Special, a compact SUV that morphed into a monster machine that became a Gran Turismo favorite since GT2.

Starting out in life as the Suzuki Escudo compact SUV, this monster machine competed in the 1996 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with Nobuteru "Monster" Tajima behind the wheel and won. Donning its extreme aerodynamics to help cope with its ultra-lightweight bodywork that weighs 800kg, the 2.5L V6 engine that was relocated aft of the front axle line for better weight distribution is bolted with two turbochargers, generating a monstrous 981HP of power and 687ft-lb of torque.

Time to unleash Suzuki's legendary monster machine around the Goodwood track and see if it's still the legend Gran Turismo fanatics remembered. Roll the tape.

It did it in 1m12.019s.

Back in Gran Turismo 2, this Escudo made them think they were invincible. Despite being overshadowed by the likes of the Red Bull X-car or even the SRT Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo machines, the Escudo Pikes Peak is still the King of Gran Turismo cars because it's built for everything it can crush with its 4WD capability, be it asphalt, dirt, or even snow.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

Suzuki Escudo Hybrid (YEH1S)

The fully imported, 4th-generation, Suzuki Escudo has been in the market for almost seven years, and just as we thought the whole Japanese neighborhood had completely forgotten about this compact crossover that is similarly priced compared to the Toyota RAV4, Suzuki decided to give the Escudo the electrification route. You're looking at the first-ever Suzuki Escudo Hybrid, except for one thing...

2022 Suzuki Escudo Hybrid

Don't let the hybrid naming fool you because, in reality, the latest update on the Suzuki Escudo is not really a full hybrid vehicle. In fact, it's milder than a full-fledged hybrid crossover but it's more than enough to give the Escudo the electrification status it deserves at this age of the new normal.

Although it looks and feels just like the current Escudo, the Hybrid variant with the ALLGRIP 4WD system is the only variant offered in this update and it's yours for just 2.97 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs.

So, what is this so-called Hybrid System the latest Suzuki Escudo's armed with? The 1.5L Dual Jet engine that produces 101PS of power output is connected to a 24.6kW drive motor and a high-capacity li-ion battery. Taking advantage of the ALLGRIP system, the Escudo Hybrid balances eco-driving and high running performance in any road conditions, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow. Mated to a 6-speed AGS, which combines the advantages of an automatic and manual, the Escudo Hybrid delivers 19.6kmpl of fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards.

Despite being a hybrid, the Escudo Hybrid drives like an Escudo almost everywhere, although its suspension setup wasn't as sophisticated as the Europeans. Still, it's rather good enough for a compact crossover that is more than ready to take on another quiet Sunday drive outdoors.

The Escudo Hybrid features Suzuki Safety Support that comes with an array of advanced safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Deviation Suppression Function, Lane Departure Warning Function, Stagger alarm function, preceding vehicle start notification function, sign recognition function, dual sensor brake support, and false start suppression function.

Like it or not, the Escudo Hybrid is the only Escudo you'll be driving right now. Despite being average for a fully imported Suzuki crossover, it's worth a meditating experience to drive one on a quiet weekend drive to a nearby province with the whole family.

Available colors: Galactic Grey Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, Cool White Pearl, Ice Greyish Blue Metallic/Black 2 Tone Roof, Savanna Ivory Metallic/Black 2 Tone Roof, and Sphere Blue Pearl/Grey 2 Tone Roof.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Suzuki adds 1.4L turbo on Escudo

2018 Suzuki Escudo

The current-generation Suzuki Escudo, fully imported from Europe, has received a brand new 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine for the 2018 model year.

This new variant for Suzuki's Euro import crossover comes with the brand new 1.4L Booster Jet turbocharged engine producing 136PS of power (19PS more than the 1.6L variant) and 210Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, fuel economy is expected at 16.8kmpl based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards.

To differentiate the turbocharged variant to the non-turbocharged Escudo, it's been given an X-TRAIL-inspired front face, red accents on the interior, and a brand new Bright Red 5 Black 2-tone roof exterior color.

Like the non-turbocharged Escudo, it still remains the ALLGRIP system as well as Radar Brake Support II system for this variant.

The Escudo 1.4L Turbo variant starts at 2,586,600 Japanese Yen.

URL: http://www.suzuki.co.jp/release/a/2017/0726/

New Suzuki Escudo (YD/YE21S)

Earlier this year, Suzuki introduced to the Japanese market the ALLGRIP system via the new SX4 S-CROSS compact crossover, which is quite a capable all-wheel drive system that you can use it almost anywhere. Now, another Euro-imported Suzuki with the same tech has arrived to the Japanese market and this time, it's the turn of the brand new Escudo.

2016 Suzuki Escudo

Yes. This is another Suzuki crossover imported from Europe but even though this is a Euro-import, this is a regeneration to Suzuki's SUV that has its name marked to every petrolhead in the planet because of its involvement to the world of Pikes Peak in its glorious past as well as gamers everywhere. Sadly though, today's Escudo isn't as exciting as we hoped for because even though it has some Evoque-esque looks, it looks somewhat as cheap as the Ssangyong Tivoli, which is one of the Escudo's key rivals.

It's the same case goes to the interior because even though it has some practicality on it like most SUVs, it doesn't have the premium feel like you get in decent looking SUVs, although the analog clock on the center adds a nice touch to it.

2016 Suzuki Escudo interior

2016 Suzuki Escudo interior

Because the new Escudo looks small than what you expect, the engine that powers it is very small. It's a 1.6L M16A petrol engine derived from the Swift. It delivers a reasonable 117PS of power output and 151Nm of torque. Mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox fuel economy is expect from 17.4km/L for 4WD model to 18.2 for 2WD model.  Even though the engine is small, it's quite peppy on the go but quite regrettable if you're pushing it too hard, even on traffic.

Like the new SX4 S-CROSS, the new Escudo features Suzuki's brand new ALLGRIP system for the 4WD model, and if you want a quick refresher, this new generation 4WD system features four driving modes selected by a knob which can adapt through any road surfaces whether if its tarmac, gravel, snow, or just when you want a sharper handling car at ease.

2016 Suzuki Escudo

Even though the Escudo is a cheap crossover full-stop, it's still high-tech in all the right places. There's also Suzuki's Radar Brake Support II system which features a device that can detect incoming vehicles or pedestrians and automatically trigger the brakes in a near collision scenario. One thing you will notice on the Escudo's tech features is the FAR/NEAR switch, which allows its detection of objects can be switched from either far or nearby objects. It's like scoping through an object like binoculars per se. Other tech features include an Emergency Stop Signal which warns drivers from behind, auto light system which automatically switches on when goring through the tunnels, and an auto wiper which automatically turns on the windshield wipers when it senses the rainy weather.

The introductory price for the new Escudo is 2,127,600 Japanese Yen, which is less costly than the previous Escudo, which is still available on the market under the "Escudo 2.4" banner for a short time only. So, should you buy one? We'll let you know if you're interested in this Suzuki SUV imported from Euro but in the meantime, there are so many SUVs which can do better than the Escudo. When your luck for SUV buying for the imminent winter has run out, you'd better off with the new Escudo instead.

Available Colors: Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic/Black 2-Tone Roof,  Galactic Grey Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, and Cool White Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Escudo Pikes Peak Version is a rare find at the GT5 Used Car dealership!

Escudo Dirt Trial Car in Monza

Back when I was kid, and playing Gran Turismo 2 on my PSX, I tried to win more and more races just so I can get this one-of-a-kind rally car from Suzuki, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version. Every GT fanatics love the Escudo Pikes Peak Version because of the over-the-1000HP power output.

At Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec on PS2, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version is dethroned by the Formula Gran Turismo race car and the reason is because of the Formula GT's lightweight capability, making it a more agile, faster race car that can achieve better lap times that the Escudo Pikes Peak Version can't. The Formula GT can be used only on tarmac while the Escudo is made not just on tarmac, but on dirt because this is a rally car we all loved.

Trying to keep up with its reputation...

On Gran Turismo 4, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version, now renamed as Dirt Trial Car, can be obtained as a prize car. Well, I forgot what race what that but anyway, you know what it is. And now, in Gran Turismo 5, the former King of Gran Turismo cars is here to stay at the used car dealership and it's not easy buying that car because I think the pricing goes to a 1.4 million credit mark and the required A-Spec Level is 23.

...even for the former King of Gran Turismo cars

I felt like I may be not in a mood of driving the former King of Gran Turismo cars (since it was dethroned by the Formula GT and now, the Red Bull X1 Prototype) but since I want to collect more, I have the urge to buy the Escudo Dirt Trial Car.

(Laughs) Just like old times, Escudo. I thought I never forget you. At least the probability to find the Escudo Dirt Trial Car on the Used Car dealership is somewhat 5%, so check back every time until you find this former King.

Despite reputation, the Escudo's still a GT King for me...

If I am unhappy, I could just gift it to an online buddy who didn't have one...