2009/10 Suzuki Kizashi 3

[basti08]

Suzuki's Camry beater, the Kizashi 3 seems to be materializing.
As per spy photos of the upcoming midsize sedan suggests.

[basti08]

Spy photos:





But it seems like the production cars won't get the more raked profile (like the Mazda's 6) of the concept car but a rather more "upright" stance of the Camry and Accord.

Hiding under yards of heavy black vinyl, padding and netting, is the all-new mid-sized family sedan from Suzuki: the Kizashi. The vehicle was previewed with three concepts over the last 12 months, the most recent of which is closest to the production sedan.

Suzuki has already announced that it will produce three variants of the Kizashi — a wagon, CUV and sedan. The Kizashi and Kizashi 2 showcased the wagon and CUV body styles, respectively, and the recent Kizashi 3 at the New York Auto Show previewed the sedan.

Although the name may (or may not) change, the Kizashi will be built in Sagara, Japan, and will arrive at dealerships in early 2010.

Suzuki is pitting the Kizashi against Toyota’s Camry and the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu, therefore it was no surprise to find a few of the Chevys out testing with the Kizashi prototypes.

Power-wise, we’re expecting the base model to be equipped with a 150+ horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and the top-of-the-line Kizashi will be powered by a 3.6-liter V6 — rated at 260 horsepower — mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Of note, the V6 is said to be derived from the same powerplant found in the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu.

Expect the base model to sticker from about $21,000, with a range-topping Kizashi tipping the scales at $28,000, according to Car and Driver.

---leftlanenews.com

[j-six]

nice! im looking forward to it.

[Negus]

Suzuki Kizashi

[AG4]

I wonder how this will do in the US, because its not a real mid-size (by US standards) like some people thought.
At 183 inches long, the Kizashi is only 3 inches longer than the new Lancer (180 inches) and is almost 1 foot shorter than the Accord (194 inches).
Suzuki doesn't even call it a mid-size, they just call it a "Sport Sedan".

Its really more of a Japan-Euro mid-size (like the Acura TSX/Accord-Euro) than a US mid-size like the Camry and Accord.

[anonemus]

One of the best Youtube roadtrips: Japan to Russia to Canada to US!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utbHTrMo3qU&feature=channel"]YouTube - Part 1 - Tokyo to LA: The Hard Way in a Suzuki Kizashi - Japan Leg[/ame]