| New concept car | 2008 New York Auto Show | Suzuki Kizashi |
Suzuki has the
Ford Mondeo and
Volkswagen Passat in its sights with the new Kizashi 3 saloon, which was unveiled at the
New York International Auto Show. The concept is the most production-like so far of the three Kizashi concepts Suzuki has displayed and company insiders say the show car is very near to how the final version will appear.
A 300bhp 3.6-litre V6 engine is being developed for the Kizashi and will drive all four wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. Other engines will also be offered, including a 2.0-litre petrol unit and a new turbodiesel.
Suzuki says it wants to be known for more than just small cars and 4x4s and the Kizashi saloon is part of this strategy. The Japanese firm also states that the Kizashi will be at the sportier end of the family car market to compete with more powerful versions of the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat.
The plan is to have the Kizashi on sale in the USA in the first half of 2010. Sales in Europe will follow later that year and we can expect to see front-wheel drive models with the less potent petrol and diesel engines at the same time.
Alisdair Suttie - 26 Mar 2008