Suzuki used the New York Auto show to unveil its Concept Kizashi 3. The concept is the third vehicle in Suzuki's Concept-Kizashi Series and definitely the most impressive.
The Concept Kizashi 3 is the closest-to-production variation of the series and is Suzuki's interpretation of a sport sedan. Suzuki describes the Kizashi's "super sport" identity as a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA. It features a 3.6L DOHC V6 engine with 300 horsepower that is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The power is routed to all four wheels through Suzuki's Advanced i-AWD system. 21" wheels add further appeal to the exterior.
Suzuki has announced that the automaker is planning on introducing a global sport sedan based on the design of the Concept Kizashi 3. Bring it on!
Related Stories:
New York 2008 Preview: Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3 Debuts
Suzuki is Going to Unveil the Kizashi Concept Sedan at the Frankfurt Motor Show
PRESS RELEASE:
- 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
Comments (28)
32" wheels? Holy shit
Posted by DerekDanahy | March 20, 2008 7:01 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 19:01
Damn that car looks sexy!
Posted by John | March 20, 2008 7:43 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 19:43
Give it some realistic 18" wheels and tires along with making sure that V-6 has direct injection and I'll buy it! Sexy looking sedan!
Posted by Chris | March 20, 2008 7:55 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 19:55
First Hyundai and Kia and now Suzuki. Good to see so many manufacturers coming out with nice looking cars.
Posted by Gary | March 20, 2008 8:40 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 20:40
While I don't like the front of the car too much (I think it is too tall), I think Suzuki would be nuts not to build this car. I would mean they are more than a "value" brand. Just look at Hyundai, they are very close to playing at the same level as the Japanese now.
Posted by Mazda6 Guy | March 20, 2008 8:45 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 20:45
It's still a Shitzuki. If the tranny lasts more than 10K miles, I'll be damned amazed. They're probably made at the same factory in South Korea where you'll find the Kia and Hyundai.
Posted by CrazyGnome | March 20, 2008 8:49 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 20:49
so this is Suzuki's interpretation of a sports sedan...
and I'm quite impressed. When I first saw this, I actually thought it was a sports coupe and not a sedan. The Audi-ish grille is, honestly, not the best part of the car, but I still love it.
It seems that nowadays, the "lesser" car manufacturers (Kia, Suzuki, to small extent Hyundai) are all coming out with amazing cars while the bigger manufacturers (Toyota especially) have been slightly dropping. Don't get me wrong, I love Toyotas and my family+extended family owns 5 toyotas out of 5 cars
Posted by Eddie | March 20, 2008 9:02 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 21:02
I'm not living up to my nick with this car
Posted by hater | March 20, 2008 9:02 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 21:02
Looks pretty, 300 hp, Awd, if it has a nice interior, and is cheap with good driver legroom, weighs in at a reasonable weight like say 3300 lbs, and is as quick as it seems it should be. I will take a serious look at this one.
Posted by Travis | March 20, 2008 9:39 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 21:39
@CrazyGnome:
Yeah, it's Suzuki. Never mind they make the most powerful superbike available that can blast to 205mph all day long (for only about $14k). Or that their other sports bikes are icons in racing where reliability is of utmost importance. Or even that their reputation worldwide has them pegged as a top offroad vehicle manufacturer, where sturdiness and reliability kinda matter.
*You* don't need to look at facts or real-world reputations... because *you* have a keyboard and an opinion...
This is a very nice looking car, the only thing that will kill it is if Suzuki commits to building from the GM parts bin.
Posted by Jason | March 20, 2008 9:51 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 21:51
That's a pretty sweet lookin' ride. I could go for a reworked grill...it has that slack jawed Audi look right now. All they'd need to do is redo the bottom half, maybe follow lines of those lower fog lamps or something.
@Eddie, I had almost thought it was a coupe also...which gets me thinking...why not make a coupe model? A two door version of this would probably be a sweet ride.
Posted by Krazeee | March 20, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 22:03
Color me impressed. That look awesome, heck it puts BMW's to shame...
Posted by SEALBoy | March 20, 2008 10:29 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 22:29
" CrazyGnome:
It's still a Shitzuki. If the tranny lasts more than 10K miles, I'll be damned amazed. They're probably made at the same factory in South Korea where you'll find the Kia and Hyundai."
You know, I've never heard of a Suzuki having trasmission issues after 10k Miles. Talk shit much?
This car I like. Build it.
Posted by brad | March 21, 2008 1:26 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 01:26
Like the specs, and the overall styling concept and stance of the car is good.
Pity they had to just steal the sideview front bonnte line and lower bib of the mock radiator housing from the Audi line and the lights at the front from BMW.
I know these are peremium European sports sedan makers, but lets get a little more original fellas. The days when you needed to copy European styling elements so closely were left behind in the '60's. You are better than that!
The Audi stuff is, and always was bland and pig ugly anyway!
Posted by JP | March 21, 2008 1:34 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 01:34
Hmm, interesting concept. I can't say that the styling is really to my taste, but kudos to Suzuki and the other "budget automobile companies" for pushing to come out with exciting vehicles, especially since Toyota and Honda have been seemingly been sitting on their laurels. (The new Accord looks like someone took an ugly stick to the last gen car and called it a day.)
@ CrazyGnome: Um... you do know that Suzuki is a -Japanese- car manufacturer, right? Despite your (crude) personal opinions of the brand, it's good that companies are always striving for better products, otherwise we'd all be driving around in POS piles of heaps. Hyundai as a brand is actually pretty close to where Honda and Toyota were at maybe a decade ago, which is pretty good growth for a fairly young brand in the States.
@ JP: You're right, the grill is pulled from the Audi line, and the headlights look rather similar to my 335xi. But then again, a lot of companies seem to "borrow" design cues from German auto manufacturers, so I suppose I'm not too surprised. Still, it'll be good for Suzuki to come up with something to help boost their brand.
Posted by Xiaofeng | March 21, 2008 2:22 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 02:22
If this car stay on the lower 20K or maybe start even lower ill buy one :D
or am i expecting a miracle?
Posted by Roger | March 21, 2008 2:28 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 02:28
Yes yes, anyone can release pics of a concept. Hell, a dude with a home garage can..
I'd wait to be excited till there is an actual drivable preproduction sample that looks like this.
Something tells me that there will be a panzy ass sedan of some sort, looking nothing like this in the end for elderly drivers that Suzuki caters to well.
I don't even look at concepts anymore because they seem to have less and less relation to later actual models over the years than was the standard in the industry a decade ago.
Seems its cheaper and easier to make drawings and make pople talk about yur brand than to actually produce something.
Posted by Diesel | March 21, 2008 7:52 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 07:52
hopefully we'll a production version because Suzuki now sits as pretty much the lame cousin of other Japanese car manufacturers.
Posted by SVT | March 21, 2008 10:01 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 10:01
I like it, over all. Yah, I'm no fan of the Audi style grill. And I'm concerned some of the trim around the door windows might be chrome. (Please no.) But the basic form, and listed mechanicals, seem good.
Gotta see a real product to say much more about it.
Posted by kw | March 21, 2008 10:02 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 10:02
Yes, I have a keyboard and a strong opinion. No, I'm not looking to start a flame war, I just think Suzuki has a LONG way to go before it can make reliable autos.
I know Suzuki is a JAPANESE company. All of their trucks, SUVs and motorbikes are made in Japan. However, if you go down to a dealer, notice that the origin of a sedan (printed on the window sticker) is primarily Korea - they share an assembly line with the Korean manufacturers.
I'm a previous owner of two Suzuki autos, a Forenza and Grand Vitara, both of which had massive transmission problems before/around 10K miles. The Forenza started by losing the synchro for 2nd gear, then third, then all of 2nd gear, at 4500 miles. The Grand Vitara quit shifting into reverse at about 11K.
Posted by CrazyGnome | March 21, 2008 10:10 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 10:10
didnt suzuki do something with Fiat lately?
This one mightbe their next project as the proportions look like it could yield a good Lancia/Alfa/Croma successor
Posted by rene | March 21, 2008 10:46 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 10:46
@Crazy Gnome: Most Kia's and Hyundai's in the US are designed in California and produced in Alabama, so where do you get info that they're making them in Korea?? Yes Hyundai is a Koren company but that doesn't mean all it's cars are made in Korea, as some of Honda's cars are built here and in Canada but it's a Japanese company.
Again, facts before opinions please.
Posted by Gary | March 21, 2008 10:52 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 10:52
Daddy likes it. Build it for Daddy.
Posted by james | March 21, 2008 1:31 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 13:31
BUILD IT! BUILD IT! BUILD IT!
Posted by Allen | March 21, 2008 1:41 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 13:41
A very nice looking sedan. I personally don't care if some design cues were "borrowed". These days cars look so similar (except the CTS and a couple others) it's almost expected. The powertrain is very interesting, and I want to see the interior. Kudos to Suzuki for a great concept. Make it!
Posted by Kell | March 21, 2008 6:45 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 18:45
Nice to see some great looking cars coming from manufacturers other than Aston Martin.
Posted by GT Fan | March 22, 2008 11:00 PM
Posted on March 22, 2008 23:00
I too like this car and would really like to see them put a proper manual transmission in it. I would also like to see the interior before I pass final judgment on it. I have been looking around for a replacement for my aging Countour SVT and it seems most of the cars I would be interested in do not offer manual transmissions. The ones that do are all higher end cars I can not afford. About the only thing that has my interest is the '06 or '07 Mazdaspeed 6 but I am not a turbocharger fan and would prefer an engine just as described in this Suzuki. I really hope they make this. I like it enough to even consider it with the automatic.
Posted by Another SVT Guy | March 23, 2008 11:27 AM
Posted on March 23, 2008 11:27
I wonder what happens to concept cars after they're made and shown off at car shows. Does some lucky guy get to keep it and drive a one of a kind car?
Posted by John | March 25, 2008 2:05 AM
Posted on March 25, 2008 02:05