Los Angeles Auto Show debut pegged for new Kizashi sedan

In January reports emerged that the global financial downturn was forcing Suzuki to postpone its plans to launch its new Kizashi sedan, as well as to delay construction on new overseas factories in Thailand and Russia. Suzuki officially denied the claims, stating that the company was still planning on unveiling the car at this year's New York Auto Show.

Those plans ultimately changed as the car missed out on last week’s New York event but the actual launch will still go ahead as scheduled this November. Automotive News reports that the production version of the Kizashi Concept (no name has been announced yet) will make its debut at November’s Los Angeles Auto Show and this about the same time it will be appear in dealerships across the country.

The Kizashi is expected to be manufactured in a brand new plant in Japan. Development of the car is already well underway, with prototypes spotted testing in the U.S. and Germany wearing very light camouflage.

Suzuki previously described the Kizashi as being a sporty sedan designed to compete with other mid-sized cars such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The car, when it is eventually built, will sit on a 4,650mm platform that is 165mm shorter than a Camry, but its wheelbase will be longer to accommodate more interior space.

The engine lineup will supposedly include two petrol engines displacing 2.3L and 3.6L respectively, as well as a 2.0L turbodiesel unit for European markets. FWD is expected to be standard although an AWD option will be available for some models as well as a paddle-shift six-speed automatic.