The Suzuki Verona was the American name for the Daewoo Magnus, a mid-size sedan developed and built by Daewoo. It was sold in the United States from the 2004 to the 2006 model year and was replaced in Suzuki’s range by the Kizashi in 2010.
Suzuki Verona at a glance
| Daewoo production | 2000–2006, internal code V200 |
|---|---|
| Suzuki Verona | United States, 2004–2006 model years |
| Design | Italdesign of Italy |
| Engines | 2.5-litre inline six, or a Holden-built 2.0 four in other markets |
| Six-cylinder output | 155 hp at 5,800 rpm, 240 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | four-speed automatic |
| Other names | Daewoo Evanda, Chevrolet Evanda, Chevrolet Epica |
| Successor in Suzuki range | Kizashi, 2010 |
History of the Suzuki Verona
Daewoo’s V200
The Magnus was developed by Daewoo under the internal code V200 as the successor to the Leganza. It was launched on 23 November and sold alongside the Leganza in Korea until that car’s production ended in 2002, after which it replaced it in export markets as well. Italdesign of Italy styled both the Leganza and the Magnus. For 2006 the car was heavily facelifted into the V250, sold in Korea as the Daewoo Tosca, which replaced every V200 version during that year.
Engines and other badges
The car came with a Daewoo-developed XK6 inline six of 155 hp and 240 Nm, or a Holden-built 2.0-litre D-TEC four carried over from the Leganza. From 2000 to 2004 it was the Daewoo Evanda in western Europe and the Chevrolet Evanda in parts of eastern Europe, and when the Daewoo brand was replaced by Chevrolet across Europe in 2004 the car became the Chevrolet Epica. It was also sold as the Formosa Magnus in Taiwan.
The Verona
In the United States the same car was rebadged as the Suzuki Verona. Suzuki announced it would drop the Verona after the 2006 model year because of low sales, most likely because the American version offered only a small 2.5-litre six with an automatic gearbox while rival mid-size cars had larger engines and manual options. The Verona was eventually succeeded in Suzuki’s range by the Kizashi in 2010.
Design and features
- Italdesign styling: the Magnus body was drawn by the Italian studio.
- A General Motors family car: sold as Daewoo, Chevrolet and Suzuki depending on the market.
- Inline six: the Daewoo XK6, with 155 hp.
- A short stay: only three model years in America because of weak sales.
Suzuki Verona versions
- Daewoo Magnus / Evanda (2000): the original Korean and European versions.
- Suzuki Verona (2004–2006): the American model.
- Chevrolet Epica: the Canadian, Chinese, Chilean and Arabian version.
- Formosa Magnus: the Taiwanese name.
The Verona sat alongside the Forenza in Suzuki’s American range, and the Kizashi eventually replaced it. More Suzukis are in the Suzuki collection.
Video: 2004 Suzuki Verona start up 75k READ DISC
Video by David Janitschek on YouTube.
Sources
- Daewoo Magnus, English Wikipedia: development, engines, badges, Verona
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