Suzuki Kizashi
Encyclopedia
The Suzuki
Kizashi (キザシ) is a mid-size car
, unveiled in the United States
on July 30, 2009. The Kizashi went on sale in Japan
on October 21, 2009, in North America
on December 1, 2009, and in Australia
and New Zealand
on May 11, 2010. The Kizashi is the first mid-size Suzuki automobile sold in the Australian market. Kizashi was launched in India
on 2 February 2011.
(FWD) and a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine developing 185 hp and 170 lbft of torque. Available transmissions are a 6-speed manual
or a continuously variable transmission
(CVT). The CVT version reduces power to 180 hp . The Kizashi offers 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels, Akebono sourced brakes, a choice of cloth or leather seating surfaces, and a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate
audio system with iPod
connectivity and Bluetooth
capability. All wheel drive
(AWD) (based on the i-AWD system featured in the Suzuki SX-4
) is optional and includes a driver-activated FWD mode to save fuel.
The engine lineup will supposedly include two petrol engines displacing 2.4L 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. In December 2010, the Kizashi won two motoring awards in New Zealand: the Supreme Winner in the 2010 AA Motoring Excellence Awards and the New Zealand Herald Car of the Year Award. The car was praised for its astonishing attention to detail, refinement and comfort.
, in collaboration with India’s largest passenger car manufacturer Maruti
, Suzuki launched the car as the Maruti Kizashi on 2 February 2011. It was expected to be a CBU (Completely Built Unit), so heavy import duties may push its prices to a higher point than originally intended. The Maruti Kizashi is priced at around 1.6 to 1.75 million Indian rupees (46 INR = $1).
This model has a J24B 2.4 petrol engine with 4 cylinder 16 valves DOHC. The 2400cc engine is capable of producing 185 hp of peak power at 6,500 rpm (manual transmission) and 180 hp at 6,000 rpm (CVT). It churns 170 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The Maruti Kizashi utilizes a direct ignition system for increased fuel efficiency with decreased emissions. With the help of this and other engine technologies, the car gives 9 kmpl in city and 12 kmpl at highway. The maximum fuel tank capacity of the car is 63 litre.
door that failed to comply with FMVSS 201 ("Occupant Protection in Interior Impact") in which the door could open in a crash.
The first Kizashi concept included a 2L, 4-valve turbo diesel engine, sequential 6-speed transmission, 21-inch aluminium alloy wheels, and AWD — and was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Concept Kizashi 2
The second Kizashi concept was a 5-door crossover sport wagon that included a 3564 cc V6 engine
, 6-speed automatic transmission
, i-AWD, and 265/45ZR22 tires — and was unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
Concept Kizashi 3
The third Kizashi concept was an AWD vehicle that included a 3564 cc V6 engine rated 300 hp, 6-speed automatic transmission, and 21-inch aluminium wheels with 255/30ZR21 tires. Concept Kizashi 3 was unveiled at the 2008 New York auto show.
Aimed at performance enthusiast buyers and featuring; a new turbocharged engine outputting approximately 205 kW, sports tires and wheels, and exterior paint job inspired by the company's motorcycles.
Kizashi EcoCharge
Suzuki’s hybrid is powered by a 2.0 L gasoline engine, which is “boosted” by a 15 kw belt-driven electric motor to deliver a combined 144 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. The new hybrid drivetrain is further aided in its quest for improved fuel efficiency by a six-speed automatic transmission, low rolling resistance tires, regenerative braking, and stop-start technology, which add up to a significant mpg improvement compared to the current, “conventional” Suzuki. Steve Younan, director of automotive marketing and product planning for American Suzuki Motor Corporation, says that the company is making plans to move forward with a similar product, and that “the proof of (Suzuki’s) concept is that the Kizashi EcoCharge has the capability to deliver a 25 % fuel economy gain in real-world driving through an electric charge to the powertrain system while still retaining the production Kizashi’s dynamic handling and braking advantages that make it a standout category performer.”
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
Kizashi (キザシ) is a mid-size car
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
, unveiled in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on July 30, 2009. The Kizashi went on sale in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on October 21, 2009, in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
on December 1, 2009, and in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on May 11, 2010. The Kizashi is the first mid-size Suzuki automobile sold in the Australian market. Kizashi was launched in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
on 2 February 2011.
Name
Kizashi is a Japanese word which means "something great is coming", "omen", "sign", or "warning", so it is possible Suzuki means to suggest to other automobile manufacturers that its Kizashi is an example of Suzuki's future products. The Kizashi aspires to be Suzuki's flagship sedan and currently exceeds Japanese government regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement for cars classified as "compact".Description and models
Standard equipment includes front-wheel driveFront-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
(FWD) and a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine developing 185 hp and 170 lbft of torque. Available transmissions are a 6-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
or a continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
(CVT). The CVT version reduces power to 180 hp . The Kizashi offers 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels, Akebono sourced brakes, a choice of cloth or leather seating surfaces, and a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate
Rockford Fosgate
Rockford Fosgate is a manufacturer of aftermarket and OEM car audio and In-Car Entertainment products and accessories, as well as limited Pro Audio, and personal electronics such as earphones. Lightning Audio is a subsidiary brand of the company....
audio system with iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
connectivity and Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
capability. All wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
(AWD) (based on the i-AWD system featured in the Suzuki SX-4
Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
) is optional and includes a driver-activated FWD mode to save fuel.
The engine lineup will supposedly include two petrol engines displacing 2.4L and 3.6L respectively, as well as a 2.0L turbodiesel
Turbodiesel
Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines...
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. In December 2010, the Kizashi won two motoring awards in New Zealand: the Supreme Winner in the 2010 AA Motoring Excellence Awards and the New Zealand Herald Car of the Year Award. The car was praised for its astonishing attention to detail, refinement and comfort.
Maruti Kizashi
In IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, in collaboration with India’s largest passenger car manufacturer Maruti
Maruti
Māruti can be*Maruti is a Sanskrit word referring to Hanuman, son of Marut , the Hindu Wind God Vayu*Marut is said to have two sons: Hanuman the bachelor God and Bhima....
, Suzuki launched the car as the Maruti Kizashi on 2 February 2011. It was expected to be a CBU (Completely Built Unit), so heavy import duties may push its prices to a higher point than originally intended. The Maruti Kizashi is priced at around 1.6 to 1.75 million Indian rupees (46 INR = $1).
This model has a J24B 2.4 petrol engine with 4 cylinder 16 valves DOHC. The 2400cc engine is capable of producing 185 hp of peak power at 6,500 rpm (manual transmission) and 180 hp at 6,000 rpm (CVT). It churns 170 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The Maruti Kizashi utilizes a direct ignition system for increased fuel efficiency with decreased emissions. With the help of this and other engine technologies, the car gives 9 kmpl in city and 12 kmpl at highway. The maximum fuel tank capacity of the car is 63 litre.
Problems
On June 28, 2010, Suzuki recalled 5,107 model year 2010 Kizashi vehicles due to a glove boxGlove compartment
A glove compartment or glovebox, also known as a little cupboard, is a compartment built into the dashboard, located over the front-seat passenger's footwell in an automobile, often used for miscellaneous storage. The name derives from the original purpose of the compartment, to store gloves...
door that failed to comply with FMVSS 201 ("Occupant Protection in Interior Impact") in which the door could open in a crash.
2007–2008
Concept Kizashi 1The first Kizashi concept included a 2L, 4-valve turbo diesel engine, sequential 6-speed transmission, 21-inch aluminium alloy wheels, and AWD — and was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Concept Kizashi 2
The second Kizashi concept was a 5-door crossover sport wagon that included a 3564 cc V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
, 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, i-AWD, and 265/45ZR22 tires — and was unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
Concept Kizashi 3
The third Kizashi concept was an AWD vehicle that included a 3564 cc V6 engine rated 300 hp, 6-speed automatic transmission, and 21-inch aluminium wheels with 255/30ZR21 tires. Concept Kizashi 3 was unveiled at the 2008 New York auto show.
2011 New York International Auto Show
Kizashi ApexAimed at performance enthusiast buyers and featuring; a new turbocharged engine outputting approximately 205 kW, sports tires and wheels, and exterior paint job inspired by the company's motorcycles.
Kizashi EcoCharge
Suzuki’s hybrid is powered by a 2.0 L gasoline engine, which is “boosted” by a 15 kw belt-driven electric motor to deliver a combined 144 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. The new hybrid drivetrain is further aided in its quest for improved fuel efficiency by a six-speed automatic transmission, low rolling resistance tires, regenerative braking, and stop-start technology, which add up to a significant mpg improvement compared to the current, “conventional” Suzuki. Steve Younan, director of automotive marketing and product planning for American Suzuki Motor Corporation, says that the company is making plans to move forward with a similar product, and that “the proof of (Suzuki’s) concept is that the Kizashi EcoCharge has the capability to deliver a 25 % fuel economy gain in real-world driving through an electric charge to the powertrain system while still retaining the production Kizashi’s dynamic handling and braking advantages that make it a standout category performer.”