2010 Suzuki Kizashi: Full Technical Specs, Prices Start Under $20,000 top out at $24,000

As we're getting closer to the launch date of Suzuki's new flagship sedan, the company decided to release technical specs and preliminary pricing on the Kizashi that will start under $20,000 when it goes on sale across the U.S. this December. Instead of positioning the Kizashi against mainstream offerings like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, Suzuki said that it aims to capture the attention of those buyers that would like to own but cannot afford more driver-orientated and sportier looking mid-size sedans such as the Acura TSX, VW Passat CC and BMW 3-Series.

Built at Suzuki's brand-new manufacturing facility in Sagara, Japan, the 2010 Kizashi will offer buyers only one engine option at launch, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 185 HP at 6,500 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm with the six-speed manual transmission. When mated to the CVT, the 2.4 liter unit produces 178 HP at 6,000 rpm.

When coupled to a manual transmission, the front-wheel drive Kizashi sprints from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 7.5 seconds.

The sedan also offers buyers the option of all-wheel drive, which can be deactivated with a switch. Depending on the transmission and drive configuration, the Kizashi 2.4L can return a fuel economy of up to 23mpg in city driving and 31mpg on the highway.

A more powerful V6 petrol engine as well as a hybrid version are expected to join the Kizashi's lineup within the next two years.

The current range will consist of four trim levels (S, SE, GTS and SLS) with prices starting from below $20,000 for the entry-level S model and topping at around $24,000 for the SLS complete with all-wheel drive.

The Kizashi's base level 'S' comes with standard push button start, sport front seats, steering wheel audio controls, automatic dual-zone climate control with passenger rear vents, stability control, 8 airbags and integrated-chromed dual exhaust tips.

The SE adds a standard CVT transmission, 215/55-17 tires mounted on alloy wheels, a 10-way power driver seat with 3-position memory, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift lever and parking brake lever.

Those that opt for the better equipped GTS have the choice of 6-speed manual or CVT transmissions with paddle shifters, while standard equipment includes 235/45-18 tires on alloy wheels, one-touch moonroof, fog lights, a 425 watt Rockford Fosgate audio system and integrated Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming.

Finally, the top-spec SLS adds leather appointments to the interior, three-stage heated front seats, a four-way power passenger seat, "Home Link" universal garage door opener, windshield wiper rain sensor and rear parking sensors.

My Two Styling Dents on the New Suzuki Kizashi Sedan

"They make cars?" used to be the common response when asking people about Suzuki's automobile offerings. That's about to change, though, because the runt of the Japanese litter has decided to go head to head against the first-stringers. With its Kizashi mid-size sedan, Suzuki thinks it knows what mid-size car buyers want, but the big question is: how can this stubby mid-sizer hope to compete?

For the time being Suzuki is playing it smart and starting out simple, offering a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with either a 6-speed stick or a CVT. The controllable all-wheel drive system is a nice option in the segment, and with a V6 and hybrid rumored to be in the works, this mid-size saloon should be more than ready to take on the world (putting a few more nails into the Mitsubishi Galant's coffin...).

In the cockpit is where the Kizashi scores some serious points. Compared to its contemporaries, it's easy to tell time was invested in designing it for driver/passenger comfort, ease of use, and a sport-luxury ambiance - apparently I'll hold off quality opinions until I feel the polymers with my own bare hands.

The Kizashi's center stack doesn't choke you with switches, but it doesn't bore you to death, either (take a look at those metallic fangs).

For comparison, the Toyota Camry's dash is to the point, but oh so boring. There's nothing there that stands out. Add to that the top-heavy, anorexic-Dolly Parton gated shifter and you have an interior that's as charismatic as a corpse. In fact, I feel like I'm aging just looking at it.

The Honda Accord's dash layout is a step up from the Camry, but not by much. At least Honda's "robot designers" threw in some bisecting lines, making it more stylish than the Camry but drowning drivers in buttons and knobs.

Also, to let everyone know that the Kizashi isn't messing around in the entertainment department, there's an available Rockford Fosgate sound system to go up against Toyota's optional JBL stereo setup and Honda's "premium" one.

From the outside, the Kizashi is possibly the most youthful in the segment. I like its tough, chunky form and stubby up-ticked rear, but that doesn't blind me to the fact that it's lines are far from original.

Easily identifiable on the production model is a blend of the Kizashi concepts' facial features with those of VW's Jetta (the proportions seem much better than the Jetta, though). Now follow the sculpted line along either side of the hood, up the A-pillar, over the flared fenders and back towards the trunk. While admiring the rear three-quarter view you'll see hints of Toyota's Mark X sedan.

Below the rear bumper, you'll either like those geometric tailpipe surrounds or you won't. They're not the best part of the car, but at least the exhaust pipes can be seen inside them (unlike the superfluous faux exhaust tips found on the . . . ahem . . . nigh-$60,000 Lexus IS-F). Up above, I would have liked that third brake light mounted flush in the trunk lid, but that's a minor deal that shouldn't deter anyone from taking a look at this car.

More and more it seems like Suzuki has a potential winner on its hands, one that could draw plenty of people out of the competition's showrooms. The runt has put out a cute and butch car that, if there isn't a whole lot of brand loyalty in one's diet, may get some serious attention over the next few years. Now if only they would release the rest of the specs. After all, those mid-size sedan buyers are a finicky lot.

By Phil Alex

DAMD...They Did it Again: Japanese Tuner Mods Suzuki Wagon R

If anything else, you must admit that the folks over at DAMD have a vivid imagination when it comes to styling up small city cars like the Suzuki Wagon R. The aftermarket tuning house treats the Japanese mini -literally- van Wagon R with a new bodykit that comprises of a gaudy grille matched to a new front bumper that comes with an integrated lip spoiler and aluminium accents, side skirts, roof spoiler and a new rear bumper with an aluminium center piece that houses the new dual exhaust tips.

The vehicle's exterior appearance is rounded off by a set of Crimson alloy wheels in a black finish with orange colored rims that are wrapped in 165/40R 17 tires.

Other available options include a sport suspension that lowers the Wagon R's ride height, specific floor mats and black leather seats with contrasting orange stitching.

New Suzuki Alto Concept Points to Production Model

Strangely enough, and even though the latest generation Suzuki Alto, which is also marketed in some regions including Europe as the Nissan Pixo with a different nose job, was introduced only last year at the 2008 Paris show, the Japanese firm has announced that it will display a near-production concept model of the next generation Alto at the forthcoming Tokyo Motor Show in late .

The only reasonable explanation (since Suzuki did not bother to clear things up for us in its press release...) is that the production model of the "concept Alto" is destined for markets other than the ones that the current Alto is offered including of course Japan.

Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid with a Volt-like Drivetrain

Attending the Tokyo Motor Show, or any international auto show for that matter, without having at least one hybrid prototype model at your stand is almost unthinkable nowadays for any mainstream automaker. The Suzuki brand will display a plug-in hybrid concept version of its successful MINI Swift supermini that features a drive system that works in a similar way to the one used on GM's Chevy Volt.

The hybrid drivetrain of the Suzuki Swift Concept combines a small displacement gasoline engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. The concept car is designed primarily to be driven only on electric power.

For short distances, the electric motor is powered by the battery that's charged from a household mains socket. If the battery runs low, then the gasoline engine kicks in not to move the vehicle but to power a generator that in turn charges the battery.

Being a concept an all, Suzuki touched up the Swift Plug-in Hybrid with a different headlight treatment and new wheels on the outside, and a set of lightweight front seats with net-like surfacing and special trim on the inside.

Suzuki Adds 1.9-liter Turbo Diesel to UK Market Grand Vitara SZ 5-Door Range

Completing its revised Grand Vitara line-up in the UK, Suzuki has introduced a new 1.9-liter DDiS turbo diesel engine to the five-door model range. The four-cylinder diesel unit produces 129HP at 3,750 rpm and 300Nm or 221 lb-ft of peak torque at 2,000 rpm launching the compact SUV from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 13.2 sec and on to a top speed of 106mph or 170 km/h.

Suzuki said that CO2 emissions are reduced to 185g/km from 191g/km compared to the previous unit while the new model achieves 40.4mpg UK or 33.7mpg US / 7.0 lt per 100km on the combined cycle.

The new model is available in two different trim levels, the SZ4 and SZ5 grades, both of which come equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, in-dash 6CD changer with radio, MP3 audio-compatibility and seven speakers, heated leather seats and automatic climate control air conditioning as standard.

UK prices have been set at £17,975 OTR for the SZ4 and £19,475 OTR for the SZ5 trim.

New Special Edition Suzuki Swift SZ-L, Production Limited to 500 Units

Suzuki is enhancing its UK line-up with the introduction of a special edition model to the Swift range called the SZ-L. Based on the five-door model with the 1.3-liter petrol engine, the SZ-L gets a higher level of standard equipment that includes air conditioning, pearlescent or metallic paint, 15-inch alloy wheels, electrically retractable exterior mirrors, side protection mouldings, specific floor mats and chrome finish for the exterior door handles, front grille and rear tailgate trim.

Furthermore, chrome bezels are added to the instrument gauges while the door trims and audio surround have aluminum effect detailing.

Suzuki offers the special edition Swift in four colors, Cool White Pearl, Cosmic Black Pearl, Supreme Red Pearl and Silky Silver metallic. The Swift SZ-L will be produced in a limited run of 500 units with prices set at £10,250.