Suzuki Kizashi 3

By Liz Turner

Motor Shows

20 March 2008 21:18

 The third car of Suzuki’s dramatic Kizashi trilogy had its world debut at New York, and we’re told this handsome sports sedan is close to the production vehicle. When it arrives in the US this Fall, the powertrain will be a 3.6-litre DOHC V6 delivering 300bhp via a six-speed auto’ with paddle-shifters. No price has been announced, but it will offer ‘good value’.

From the side, the Kizashi 3’s lines are simple and could be European (if it weren’t for the show car’s incredible 21in wheels). The front is distinctly Asian, with headlamps like the eyes of a Samurai in a Japanese print, and a deep U-shaped grille similar to the face furniture of the Kizashi 1 and 2.

The three cars showcase the new look of Suzuki. In Japanese, the word Kizashi conveys the feeling that something great is coming, and we’re promised that all Suzuki vehicles in future will be ‘dynamic, athletic, purposeful and will have real-world capability’.

Gene Brown, VP of marketing and PR says that for now, Suzuki is not aiming for high volume sales. Brown says Suzuki aims to be a ‘boutique brand’, higher in status if not price or volume to the Korean manufacturers. The Kizashi will go on global sale from 2010.

By Liz Turner