A Suzuki employee tests a new Suzuki KingQuad ATV in Mattawa. Photo by Phil Novak. ___________________________________________________________ (Mattawa) The KingQuad has been coronated in Northeastern Ontario.
A Suzuki employee tests a new Suzuki KingQuad ATV in Mattawa. Photo by Phil Novak. ___________________________________________________________
(Mattawa)
The KingQuad has been coronated in Northeastern Ontario.
Journalists from across Canada and the United States were in Mattawa Wednesday to test-drive the Suzuki Motor Corporation's newest ATV,putting it through its paces on the gravel, rock outcrops, sand, marsh and mud of the
Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System.
"This will give us the credibility of showcasing a signature site trail system in Mattawa and we're quite proud of that system," said
Bob Rowlandson, president of VMUTS, "and we think it's one of the best riding facilities that ATVers can find in Ontario."
Suzuki Canada spokesman
Nathan Naslund said Mattawa was chosen for the world media launch after he met Glenn Draper, a trail representative, at the Toronto Sportsmen Show last March, who convinced him to "have a serious look" at the area.
"It's a beautiful facility, just perfect for our needs, and that's why we came up here for this launch," Naslund said.
"We were looking for an area that is very friendly toward ATV use, because we know how important it is to find communities that support ATVs and the tourism that goes along with it."
The KingQuad, Naslund said, will be in showrooms in October and retails at around $11,000.
Rowlandson said the volunteer-based VMUTS will benefit from the exposure Mattawa will receive through subsequent media coverage.
"The exposure will just showcase what we have to offer and the benefits will be ongoing for the months and years to come," Rowlandson said.
"You can't put a dollar figure on it."
Suzuki managed to put at least one dollar-figure on it, contributing $10,000 to the trail system, Rowlandson added.
"And as this information comes forward in the ATV magazines, next year will prove to be a very successful year and we'll see a lot of riders come from not only outside our area but outside the province."
The KingQuad, Naslund said, represents the newest incarnation of a brand which was first introduced in 1991.
"People kept asking us when we'd be bringing out a new KingQuad, so we took all of their input, consulted with ATV clubs and this has been the result," Naslund said.
"It's definitely been a consumer-driven product."
American journalist
Ray Sedorchuck, of Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, was in Mattawa testing the 700 cc, fuel-injected, independent-suspension KingQuad for
atvconnection.com, which he's
the managing editor of, as well as ATV Rider magazine, out of Montreal, ATV television, on the Outdoor Channel, and American Hunter magazine, published by the National Rifle Association.
He said he and another test driver will work together on producing an evaluation of the KingQuad.
"Everyone has their own opinion on a machine and I feel you need more than one person to evaluate something, especially a four-wheel drive," Sedorchuck said.
But his initial impressions were positive.
"It felt very powerful, and started quite easily, and I liked the ability to start without a choke. It's an automatic too, which I also like. When Suzuki does something they do it right and they do a lot of
research and when they put a machine together it's the best they can possibly produce, at least that's what their track record has shown."
No stranger to Canada, Sedorchuck has been in Northern Ontario before.
"I've come up here quite a bit and I know the Canadian wilderness, and how treacherous the trails can be."
