We’ve gone to some unusual places for new product unveilings, but today’s reveal of a new mid-sized sedan from Suzuki may be one of the most ironic. For some reason, the small automaker of mostly small cars chose a World War II memorial in suburban Detroit for the global reveal of its most aggressive attack yet on the heart of the U.S. car market.

Suzuki has always been a bit of an outlier in this market, although the company has been a strong player in the Japanese mini-car scene. Its most successful entry to date here in the U.S. has been the compact SX4. Now, it’s trying to encroach on Camry/Accord/Fusion territory. Learn all about where Suzuki is going and what to expect from the Kizashi after the jump.

Suzuki quoted for us a Global Insight study that projected a 45% recovery in the U.S. auto market over the next two years. They expect much of that to be in the smaller car segments in which the company competes. Even through the worst of this market, Suzuki has been one of only two Japanese automakers to be profitable. In fact, it’s been profitable for 57 consecutive years. The Japanese Domestic Market Wagon R has been the number one selling car in Japan for the last four years.

The company now hopes to build on the success of the SX4 in the U.S. and become more of an “aspirational brand”. They want younger buyers who “travel light and live fully” and a promotional video they showed to illustrate this made it sound like Suzuki wants to transform itself into Subaru. So far it seems to be working with residual values after 36 months rising from 34 to 48 percent between 2005 and 2009.

American Suzuki also has a new leadership team that starts with Kevin Saito, the new president of the company. Saito previously led Suzuki’s efforts in India where the company now has a 55% market share and is more profitable than ever.

The next big step for Suzuki is the Kizashi sedan, which brings the brand into a segment that few people would have associated with Suzuki cars until now. In part the company wants to bring its car image up to par with its motorcycles. That means a much more sporting image. The Kizashi has been completely engineered and designed in-house at Suzuki to that end. The name apparently means “something great is coming”, and that’s what the company is hoping for.

Gene Brown, VP of marketing and PR, told the group that the world doesn’t need another “soul-less transportation appliance”, but does need something with the handling and craftsmanship of a European sports sedan and the value of a Suzuki. A video shown during the presentation said that luxury performance cars are no longer just for old rich guys, alluding to the average age of Lexus buyers (55 years old).

Steve Younan, director of product planning, actually gave us the run-down on the Kizashi. Among the cars Suzuki targeted were the Acura TSX, VW Passat and Alfa Romeo 159 – certainly a higher benchmark than Suzuki cars have previously aimed for. That meant good steering, responsive handling and entertaining performance while retaining good ride quality. The result was a multi-link rear suspension, high performance dampers, 18-inch wheels and high end Akebono brakes. We’ve seen plenty of spy shots over the past year of the Kizashi at the Nurburgring, so hopefully the on-the-road reality will live up to the specs.

Underhood the base engine is a 2.4-liter high output four-cylinder with variable valve timing. Power can be sent through either a manual or automatic transmission both with six forward cogs. The automatic also comes standard with paddle shifters. The Kizashi has stability control and eight air bags standard, and also meets the 2014 side impact “pole test”. We’re told that the stability control has been optimized to provide good performance without being too intrusive, and an all-wheel-drive system that’s integrated with the stability control will be optional on the sedan.

The Kizashi has a 107-inch wheelbase, 183-inch overall length and 72-inch girth. Final power and mileage numbers won’t be released until closer to its on-sale date this Fall, but expect somewhere in the 180-200 hp range and 30 mpg on the highway.

Inside the Kizashi gets standard sport seats and a decidedly upscale interior. The design is clean, appears well executed and should feel right at home to buyers of some premium brands. In spite of all this, Suzuki is planning to price the Kizashi in the same range as more mainstream models like the Camry and Mazda6. That means it should run from the high teens to mid-$20k range.

Will the Kizashi be a break out hit for Suzuki here in the U.S.? That’s hard to say, as the mid-size sedan segment is teeming with more established and evolved models, none of which are laurel resters and all of which aspire to give buyers a “premium” feel for pedestrian dollars. Hopefully Suzuki is baking elements into the Kizashi that will set it apart, otherwise this Japanese brand will remain on the outskirts of this market’s most contested car segment.

Source Autoblog

It has become more and more common that new models are being scrapped just before full production.

If the reports are true, Suzuki’s long-awaited Kizashi sedan is to be the latest victim in this growing syndrome. We’ve already seen a number of prototypes running around in what looks like full-production sheetmetal, but now we’re hearing that the car’s 2010 launch may have been scuttled wholesale – yet another victim of the deteriorating global economy.

Over the last year, Suzuki has made some very public overtures to the family sedan segment with its lauded string of Kizashi concept cars, but warning signs for the model’s viability began to emerge in September when Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki hinted to Reuters that the car could still be nixed.

In North America, at least, Suzuki has yet to kick its reputation as the redheaded stepchild of Asia’s automakers (an unfortunate mantle it inherited when Isuzu pulled out of the passenger car market), despite building some compelling products like the SX4 Crossover. If reports of the Kizashi’s death are true, we can’t see Suzuki climbing off the bottom rung anytime soon.

Source Autoblog

CAR Online went to Delhi to drive the Suzuki Alto 2008 for a review less than a month after the 2008 Paris motor show.

Less than a month after the new Suzuki Alto and Nissan Pixo twins were unveiled at the 2008 Paris motor show, CAR Online has been to Delhi to drive the Suzuki version. Why Delhi? This is where they’ll be built. Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary Maruti is easily the country’s biggest car maker, building more than 750,000 cars here each year and targeting a million by 2010.

Almost all are currently for India’s booming domestic market, but successfully exporting this car to Europe is a big part of the growth plan. The big question is whether the quality of the new Suzuki Alto is up to European expectations.

Source: carmagazine

With lukewarm reviews, the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Xsport had a rattling ride and an oddly designed rear door. The V6 and roomy interior may offset the cons.

When driving a vehicle for review, we always keep a list of pros and cons. At just a glance we can see which list is longer and instantly know if it’s a vehicle that we’d personally drive. At the end of the evaluation we throw in a few verbs, several random adjectives and some technical jargon to make us all sound knowledgeable and it’s a review! Just kidding. A little, at least.

The 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Xsport that just left the Autoblog Garage didn’t fit the mold. Our cons list outnumbered the pros, but we just can’t give this one an automatic thumbs down.

The ride was unsettled by even slightly uneven pavement, which then caused the dash panel to creak and rattle. And the squeaky horn sounded more appropriate for one of Suzuki’s econoboxes than a 4,600-pound SUV. And there’s that funky side-opening rear cargo door. But from the pro list, we got a powerful V6, a fairly roomy interior and an impressive drivetrain warranty.

Our 2WD tester arrived wearing Quicksilver Metallic paint and cloth seats. The 2.7-liter V6 is standard, as are side curtain airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, fog lamps and 16-inch wheels. The Xsport trim level includes a few “comfort and convenience” options like a power sunroof, keyless entry and start, power windows and doors, audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, a 6-disc AM/FM with six speakers and a subwoofer, and power mirrors. Total sticker price before shipping and handling was $22,349.

All photos Copyright (C)2007 Chris Tutor / Weblogs, Inc.

Suzuki’s highly stylized Kizashi concept made it into its 3rd round for the New York Auto Show. This version saw less features than the prior two and had some style changes. This model is the one slated for 2010 production in the North America.

As reported by David Lavrinc:

Suzuki has been teasing us over the last few months with its duo of highly stylized concepts, the Kizashi and Kizashi 2. While it was obvious that cues found on both those concepts are going to inspire the styling of future models, it wasn’t clear how Suzuki would implement some of the more extreme features of this design language. Today in New York, Suzuki showed what elements were making the cut with the unveiling of the Kizashi 3 concept.

Sporting a toned-down version of the gaping maw found on the first two concepts, deeply drawn headlights and recessed fog lamps, the fascia has made the successful transition from design exercise to down-to-earth concept. While the profile and rear end is a little less dramatic than the view up front, the 21-inch wheels add a healthy amount of visual weight down below. Underneath the hood is a 300-hp, 3.6-liter V6 that drives all four wheels through Suzuki’s intelligent AWD system.

Suzuki made it very clear that the Kizashi 3 is a close representation of the production model that will arrive in the U.S. by 2010. It’s a serious step to shore up market share in a segment rife with competition, but if the Kizashi is executed as well as the concept, there could be another serious contender coming out of Japan.

Gallery: Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept – Live Reveal

PRESS RELEASE
LIVE! FROM NEW YORK: SUZUKI DEBUTS CONCEPT KIZASHI 3 AT 2008 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

• Suzuki “Way of Life!” brand spirit illustrated by world debut of athletic Concept Kizashi 3
• Suzuki broadcasts plan to produce global sport sedan based on Concept Kizashi 3 design
• Series premiere of complete Concept Kizashi family

NEW YORK (March 20, 2008) – Performing onstage at this year’s New York International Auto Show in front of a packed house, American Suzuki Motor Corp. hosts the world debut of its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, which completes the company’s star-studded cast of media-acclaimed Kizashi concepts. In addition to the North American reveals of Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the global introduction of Concept Kizashi 3 coincides with Suzuki’s announcement that it will produce a sport sedan derived from the Concept Kizashi 3 design.

The Concept Kizashi series was developed by Suzuki’s Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which further revealed Suzuki’s new design language.

“Kizashi means ‘prelude’ in Japanese, and that’s exactly what this design represents for Suzuki from both a business and a product standpoint,” said Mark Harano, president, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “Concept Kizashi 3 illustrates our brand character and personifies our heritage, design strength and engineering prowess. With customers in 192 countries and regions, Suzuki is truly a global brand, and the coming model carries on our mission to build the image of our automotive products in North America and eventually match our bikes’ reputation.”

Known primarily as a maker of small vehicles, Suzuki intends for the production derivative of the Kizashi series to serve as the company’s flagship vehicle, strengthening its current product line of small cars, trucks and SUVs with a sporting, more accommodating sedan. The future production model will be built at Suzuki’s brand-new Sagara plant in Japan, currently under construction, and provide an accessible alternative to the near-luxury segment. While a firm timetable has not been announced, Suzuki will deliver the Kizashi-influenced sport sedan to North American dealers by 2010.

The Concept Kizashi Series
Evoking the physical superiority and dignity of a world-class athlete, the Concept Kizashi series was developed to create a substantial presence that redefines the traditional performance vehicle and moves the Suzuki brand upscale. The overall design theme suggests physical strength from intense daily training, with the strong will, commitment and presence of a champion.

Each of the Concept Kizashi vehicles strikes a balance between driver comfort and sportiness, with roomy cabins melded to lean, dynamic exteriors. The hood and body style of all three Concept Kizashis hint at abundant engine power and wind-splitting aerodynamics, while the long wheelbase, aggressive wheel/tire combinations and abbreviated overhangs communicate a performance-oriented, energetic image. A powerful-looking body profile is incorporated throughout the series to convey underlying strength, with large wheels and a wide tread expressing a capacity for superior performance. Beyond its exterior architecture, the Concept Kizashi series constitutes a four-wheeled continuation of Suzuki’s exciting, performance-oriented motorcycle heritage, represented best by its dynamic, world-renowned line of GSX-R sportbikes. Those bikes, some two decades after their introduction, continue to dominate the sportbike segment and have achieved iconic status.

Concept Kizashi
Concept Kizashi made its world debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, demonstrating Suzuki’s progress toward the development of a vehicle that combines sportiness, style and substance. As the first concept in the Kizashi series, the vehicle’s dynamic exterior was specifically developed to push the envelope and establish the overall design theme of the series. Reflecting the spirit of a highway athlete, the exaggerated dimensions of Concept Kizashi and its strong fascia communicate a dignified character and the overall presence of a dynamic flagship vehicle.

Concept Kizashi 2
Debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the Concept Kizashi 2 crossover sport wagon aims at drivers with dynamic lifestyles and can accommodate a wide range of activities. Continuing the series’ athletic theme, Concept Kizashi 2 reflects the body of a triathlete, with the five-door vehicle’s all-road capability enhanced by its raised height and all-wheel-drive configuration. In addition to the sport crossover’s versatility, its 3.6 liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission promise a rewarding and engaging driving experience for daily drivers and enthusiasts alike.

Concept Kizashi 3
The closest-to-production variation of the Concept Kizashi series, Concept Kizashi 3 embodies Suzuki’s interpretation of the sport sedan segment in the North American market. The Kizashi’s “super sport” identity, a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA, is tempered by the vehicle’s overall mission to provide strong, refined urban performance.

As with Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the front end of the Concept Kizashi 3 expresses strength and style, with sharply fashioned headlights that emphasize the sensation of forward motion. The vehicle’s exquisitely engineered body reflects Suzuki’s distinctive combination of capability and refinement, with power flowing from a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 engine with plated cylinders – a weight-and space-saving technology that evolved from the lessons learned by Suzuki’s motorcycle and WRC development teams. The body’s monochrome finish, Kizashi Silver, gives the vehicle a sense of composure and depth of character, with metallic paint sparkling to emphasize the dynamism of the body’s cross-section.

Concept Kizashi 3 Specifications
Powertrain layout: Front engine, four-wheel drive with Advanced i-AWD system
Seating capacity (persons): Five
Tires: 255/30ZR21 9.5J
Wheels: 21-inch, nine-spoke, aluminum
Engine: 3,564cm3 V6, DOHC, 24-valve
Transmission: Six-speed automatic (with paddle shifters)
Maximum power: 300 hp
Overall length: 4,650mm/183.1 in.
Overall width: 1,900mm/74.8 in.
Overall height: 1,450mm/57.1 in.
Wheelbase: 2,800mm/110.2 in.
Minimum ground clearance: 120mm
Body color: Kizashi Silver

Originally by Damon Lavrinc from Autoblog on March 20, 2008, 5:25am

The Suzuki A-Star, developed in cooperation with Maruti Suzuki in India will be released later this year. It is a small and handsome concept that points to a new Suzuki brand city car. Originally presented at India’s Delhi show, it did not make a lot of U.S. news. Looking like a upper-scale Aygo it is a thoroughly pleasing design to reviewers and it added bling to the show

Although the Toyota iQ has won most attention here – but the baby Suzuki could be much closer to the future of smart urban transportation.