Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki Kizashi
Overview
Manufacturer	Suzuki
Production	2009–2014
Model years	2010–2014 2015–present (Pakistan)
Assembly	Sagara, Shizuoka, Japan[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L J24B I4
Transmission	6-speed manual CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.3 in (2,700 mm)
Length	183.1 in (4,650 mm)
Width	71.7 in (1,820 mm)
Height	58.3 in (1,480 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Suzuki Verona

The Suzuki Kizashi is a mid-size car^[2] manufactured by Japanese automaker Suzuki. It was unveiled in the United States on July 30, 2009.^[3] The Kizashi went on sale in Japan on October 21, 2009,^[4] in North America on December 1, 2009, and in Australia and New Zealand on May 11, 2010.^[5] It is the first mid-size Suzuki automobile sold in the Australian market.^[6] In February 2011, the Kizashi became available to the Indian market. The car was also available on European markets.

In December 2013, Suzuki announced that Kizashi will be gradually discontinued on global markets, and will not get a successor. In December 2014, the production of the car ceased in the Sagara plant. Despite good technical record, the car had suffered from poor market record in the context of global financial crisis and Suzuki's withdrawal from American market in 2012. Comparatively high price and lack of available engines also contributed to the poor sale.^[7][8]

Name

Kizashi is a Japanese word which means "something great is coming", "omen", "sign", or "warning". 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

2011 Suzuki Kizashi S AWD

Interior

Standard equipment includes front-wheel drive (FWD) and a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 185 hp (138 kW) and 170 lb·ft (230 N·m) of torque. Available transmissions are a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT version reduces power to 180 hp (134 kW) .^[9] 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 Kizashi has a 5 out of 5 star safety rating from ANCAP.

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.

Kizashi in India

Maruti Suzuki, 54.2% owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, launched the Maruti Kizashi on 2 February 2011. It is imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), which attracts import duties of 105%. It was priced at around 16 to 17.5 lakh rupees.^[10] It has since been withdrawn from the Indian market due to poor sales.

This model has a J24B 2.4 litre petrol engine with 4 cylinders, 16 valves DOHC. The 2400 cc 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 produces 170 lb·ft 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 km/L in the city and 12 km/L on the highway. The fuel tank capacity of the car is 63 L. Maruti Suzuki though, has not been able to sell many units since the Kizashi is petrol only (running a petrol car in India is expensive compared to a diesel), and the fact that it is expensive there.

Kizashi in Pakistan

The Kizashi currently is on sale only in Pakistan as it has been removed from other markets. Pak Suzuki Motors, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation in Pakistan, launched the Suzuki Kizashi on 11 February 2015 at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore. It is imported as a Completely Built-up Unit (CBU) with no plans to manufacture it locally. The ex-factory price at launch was PKR 5.0 million.^{[11] [12]}

Problems

On June 28, 2010, Suzuki recalled 5,107 model year 2010 Kizashi vehicles due to a glove box door that failed to comply with FMVSS 201 ("Occupant Protection in Interior Impact") in which the door could open in a crash.

On July 30, 2014, Suzuki recalled an undisclosed number of select model year 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 2009 through July 2012 due to spiders that may weave a web into the evaporative canister causing it to become blocked and creating excessive negative pressure within the fuel tank. Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack, resulting in a higher risk of fire.^[13]

Concept versions

Kizashi concept

2007–2008

Concept Kizashi 1

The first Kizashi concept included a 2.0L 16-valve turbo diesel engine, sequential 6-speed transmission, 21-inch aluminium alloy wheels, and AWD — and was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[14]

Kizashi 2

Concept Kizashi 2

The second Kizashi concept was a 5-door crossover sport wagon that included a 3.6L (3,564 cc) V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, i-AWD, and 265/45ZR22 tires — and was unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.^[15]

Kizashi 3

Concept Kizashi 3

The third Kizashi concept was an AWD vehicle that included a 3.6L (3,564 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.^[16]

2011 New York International Auto Show

Kizashi Apex

Aimed at performance enthusiast buyers and featuring a new turbocharged engine outputting approximately 205 to 224 kW (275 to 300 hp), sports tires and wheels, and exterior paint job inspired by the company's motorcycles.^[17]

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.”^[17]

References

External links