MotorAuthority

Spy shots: Thinly veiled Suzuki Kizashi sedan

Posted Tue Oct 28 2008 3:38 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

The Kizashi will debut as a sedan but a crossover and wagon are expected to join the lineup

Suzuki has released three very different concept vehicles in the past 12 months, all grouped under the same ‘Kizashi’ heading. The most recent of these was the Kizashi 3, a stylish sedan concept unveiled at March’s New York Auto Show that was the closest of the three show cars to resembling anything close to a regular production vehicle.

A prototype for the new sedan was spotted recently testing in the U.S., and now new images of the car with only light camouflage have been captured while engineers were testing in Germany.

Suzuki has 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 will sit on a 4,650mm platform, which is 165mm shorter than a Camry, but its wheelbase will be longer to accommodate more interior space.

The engine lineup will include two petrol engines displacing 2.3L and 3.6L, and a 2.0L turbodiesel. Front wheel drive will be standard although an AWD option will be available for some models. A paddle-shifted six-speed automatic will also be offered.

The Kizashi will be manufactured at a brand new plant in Japan and will first be launched in Japan and the U.S. in mid-2010. Other variants, including a hatchback and wagon, will likely be launched in Europe soon after the launch of the sedan.

story Tags:

• 2010 Kizashi
• 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
• 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan
• Sedans
• Spy shots
• Suzuki
• Suzuki Kizashi

Reader Comments

• Tue Aug 26 2008 8:19 AM

  Gabe says

  Ah... that's what that car was... I saw another one of these cars in camo but it was on a flatbed driving in Santa Fe Springs, CA. I have pictures - where do I send them?
  
  The one I saw had "Altezza" tail lights though. The exhaust tips confirm that the car I saw and this car are the same models.

• Tue Aug 26 2008 8:33 AM

  Laz says

  I'm excited about this one! I can't wait to see it in person...

• Tue Aug 26 2008 8:37 AM

  bambam says

  I'm exited too.
  about the looks anyways.
  whats inside?

• Tue Aug 26 2008 8:39 AM

  sushan says

  you got good stuff

• Tue Aug 26 2008 2:27 PM

  ROOLLY says

  Suzuki isn’t using the low-slung Chevy Malibu as a benchmark sedan?

• Tue Aug 26 2008 2:54 PM

  Laz says

  ROOLLY, Suzuki isn't in bed with GM anymore. I believe that they are working with Nissan now...

• Tue Aug 26 2008 4:03 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  The V6 is the GM 3.6 liter last time I heard, but the disel would be good, great milage, low end torque, my favorite.

• Wed Aug 27 2008 10:30 PM

  Will says

  The top photos show the Suzuki kind of wrinkly, lol. But seriously I would buy the TurboDiesel model (but needs to be significantly less price than a VW). That's all.

• Sun Aug 31 2008 7:49 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  I am will, if they price it less then VW's it would be a great, not to mention it should get the same tax credit the IRS gives the VW.

• Sun Sep 7 2008 9:05 PM

  Don says

  This is Suzuki's replacement for the Verona, which was preceded by the Leganza. Are we sure this isn't a Daewoo, too?

• Tue Sep 9 2008 5:59 AM

  Johan says

  Yea Don, the Kizashi is beeing built in a brand new plant in Japan and it's 100 % Suzuki I've heard ;)
  Too bad Suzuki even sell the Daewoo's with the Suzuki name on them...they made Suzuki look bad in the quality test in the USA :(

• Thu Sep 11 2008 9:45 AM

  Laz says

  Bring us the Swift in the US!

• Thu Sep 11 2008 3:01 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  The Swift would do well with the high gas prices, and this sketch is....interesting I guess

• Thu Sep 11 2008 7:57 PM

  Chris K says

  Ok, am I the only one who looks at the line drawings and sees a late model Jetta? It looks JUST like a Jetta!