Suzuki’s awesome SUV proves to be a life-saver for Ian Lamming
IT IS said that you never hear the bullet that kills you and it’s a bit like that with driving.
Near-dos seem to come out of nowhere and when you are least expecting them – except nowadays I expect them every time I climb in the car. Just as well really as this particular incident was very near.
I’ve been driving defensively for years, or at least riding, because when you are on a bicycle or motorbike the whole world is out to get you. So I lay surviving this latest instance at the door of a sharp sub-conscious, enhanced motor skills developed over decades and the brilliant safety devices featured on the Suzuki’s Across.
Picture the scene; I’ve just collected junior from college and we are making our way down what is known locally as the Crook road, ironic really given the driver of the branded works pick-up is definitely committing a crime.
On a straight enough, wide enough, country road the green and white pick-up begins to drift towards the central white line, then over it, then over it some more, mainly because the driver is on his phone and not looking through the windscreen.
I react with heavy braking, the telltale ABS grating through the pedal telling me I’m at the max, and I use the sharp steering to get as far to the left as possible. There’s not quite enough verge to remove the Across completely before reaching the wall but anything is going to help and at least protect the boy. It is still looking grim and I brace for impact then, just at the last minute, the driver looks up and steers away, the pick-up snaking uncontrollably on the wet roads.
I do sort of hope he puts it into a wall as it would give me the opportunity to have a word, but he regains control and is off like a shot.
My boy asks me what would have happened if he hadn’t looked up and I reply that I would have been killed and he would have been traumatised for life from witnessing a fatal crash.
But I always look for the positives in life and for the remainder of the journey home we chat about the dangers of using digital devices while driving a car. I explain that it’s not just a motoring offence that would see you fined and gaining points on your licence.
If you kill or maim someone and it is proved that you have been on your phone you are looking at prison. Your life as you know it is over and you have to live with the consequences of your actions, not to mention any injuries you sustain or the PTSD from killing someone.
Driving is serious stuff not a computer game and hopefully when he starts to learn next year he will remember our near-do and never be tempted to use his phone behind the wheel or even have it in reach of temptation.
I’ll remember the Across too, a veritable diamond geezer of a car, utterly reliable, solid, dependable and a surprisingly good drive.
This car does everything with aplomb and is not just accomplished but thoroughly enjoyable to drive. It is big yet, as my brush with death showed, very agile and beautifully controlled. Its all-wheel-drive ensures complete balance, poise and security on the road even in wet and slippery conditions with pick-ups hurling themselves at you.
Across’ super-efficient 2.5 litre petrol engine is supported by two electric motors, one on each axle. The electrified side is a plug-in hybrid and can run completely as an EV. Working together they produce impressive amounts of power and excellent economy – I see 60mpg come up regularly.
Across is the product of a joint venture with Toyota – think RAV4 – but has a slightly more sleek, less blocky, front end, more attractive slimline LEDs and a bold open grille. It is incredibly well equipped and amazingly economically. Performance and ride are refined and the quality shines through in every quarter.
And when it comes to the crunch, or at least avoiding the crunch, it does a tremendous job of protecting you from harm. It certainly helped me dodge a bullet.
Fact File
Suzuki Across
Engine: 2.5 petrol plus twin electric motors
Power: 306HP
0-62mph: 6.0 secs
Top speed: 112mph
Combined MPG: 42.9
Transmission: E-CVT auto
CO2 g/km: 22
Price: £49,529.00
