2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan live in Tokyo

Suzuki has officially launched the all-new Suzuki Kizashi sedan in Japan. The car hit the showroom floor earlier in the week.

With a 2.4-liter, 180+ horsepower engine, the sedan gets enough power to provide enough quickness for a daily driver. The engine produces a maximum of 230 Nm of torque, meaning the sprint time will certainly be good enough for the morning commute. Intelligent all-wheel drive is also available for "smooth off-the-line acceleration and great cornering performance."

Suzuki also focused on keeping the cabin quiet. Dual-exhaust silencers and sound absorption material was used to make the ride more pleasant.

Those in Japan wanting to purchase a new Suzuki Kizashi can head to a dealership. Sales should begin in the United States within the next few weeks.

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Suzuki Kizashi 3 Live Pics: It Still Looks Good!

Revealed for the first time at the New York Auto Show, the third iteration of Suzuki’s Kizashi series is not only the better looking among the three concepts, but it’s also the one closest to the forthcoming production model that’ll follow in 2010. The live pictures from Suzuki’s NY Show booth give us a more realistic view of the Kizashi compared to the press photos we showed you earlier. The concept features a 300 horsepower, 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated V6 engine with power delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters, to all four wheels. –More images after the jump

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2010 Suzuki Kizashi Revealed - Hybrid Model to Follow: Mega Gallery with 100 High-Res Photos

The production version of the Suzuki Kizashi sedan was officially revealed today in a special launch event in Detroit. Built at Suzuki's new manufacturing plant in Sagara, Japan, the Kizashi will serve as the company's flagship model when it arrives in North American showrooms this winter. Available in both front- and all-wheel drive versions, Suzuki's Mazda6 and VW Passat rival will initially be offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine linked to either a 6-speed manual transmission or optionally, a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While the Japanese automaker did not disclose any output figures for the base four-cylinder engine, Suzuki did reveal that other powertrain options are also under development for the Kizashi including a fuel efficient hybrid version that will be added to the lineup in the very near future.

Built on a brand-new platform, the Kizashi features MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the back with Suzuki supporting that the sedan will offer drivers "a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience".

An Electronic Stability Program and anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution as well as the Suzuki-developed synergetic vehicle dynamic control system that assists drivers control will be offered as standard on the Kizashi.

Measuring in at 183.1 in. (4,650 mm) long, 71.7 in. (1,820 mm) wide and 58.3 in. (1,480 mm) high with a wheelbase of 106.3 in. (2,700mm), the Kizashi is roughly the same size as the latest generation Audi A4 Sedan.

Despite the fact that the Kizashi originated from the Concept Kizashi series introduced over the last two years, the production model's styling is far less dramatic, which is a shame as the concept study featured an extremely well executed design that received positive reactions from European and North American consumers alike.

As for the mid-size sedan's interior, Suzuki's designers crafted an elegant looking dashboard that features an Alfa Romeo-esque instrument panel with two deeply set gauges and an uncluttered center console.

More details as well as North American prices are expected to be released closer to the sedan's sales launch in December. Suzuki has yet to announce when the Kizashi will arrive in other international markets.

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Suzuki Kizashi Sedan Makes an Early Appearance

A forum poster over at Motive discovered the very first undisguised photos of the production version of the Suzuki Kizashi ahead of the mid-size sedan's official debut that's scheduled for Thursday, July 30. We've seen one too many spy shots (along with a set of official sketches) of the Kizashi to be surprised with the sedan's looks, but nevertheless, we must say that the transition from the 2008 NY Show concept to the final production model leaves a bitter taste to the mouth. Hit the jump for the photo album or click here to check out our previous post on the Kizashi that includes pictures of the sedan's interior.

[Via: Next-Auto , Source: Motive & Road Race Motorsports]

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2011 Suzuki Kizashi: Reader Spies Mazda6 Sedan Rival in Virginia

Peter Mcabe is the latest addition to our list of eagle-eyed Carscoop readers that have managed to bag a set of spy shots of a future model. The quick-witted reader spotted a camouflaged prototype of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi sedan parked behind the Olive Garden restaurant off of Midlothian Turnpike, in Richmond, Virginia. The Kizashi, which was wrongly reported dead by Japanese media earlier this year, is based on the Kizashi 3 concept car shown at the New York auto show in 2008.

Sadly, as we suspected upon seeing the official sketches of the Kizashi that were registered by Suzuki at the European trademark office in 2008, the mid-size sedan's appearance looks to be severely toned down compared to the head-turning concept.

The Kizashi 3 prototype had an all-new, 300HP 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated V6 engine with power delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The road-going model will most likely be offered with a detuned version of the V6 as well as an inline four-cylinder engine producing somewhere north of 150 horsepower, the latter driving the front-wheels.

In North America, the Kizashi will compete against the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Mazda6 sedans. In accordance to the latest reports, the Kizashi will hit U.S. showrooms by the end of year, meaning that we'll probably see it making its global premiere at a major international motorshow this fall, perhaps at the Tokyo Salon in October.

Suzuki has yet to confirm when (and if) the Kizashi will reach European shores, but if it does, the Japanese automaker will have to enhance the sedan's lineup with smaller sized gasoline and diesel engines if it wants to rival family sedans like the Opel Insignia, Toyota Avensis and Citroen C5.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept: Striking Sport Sedan Previews Production Version!

Suzuki took the wraps off the third and final iteration of its Kizashi concept series at the New York Auto Show today. The Kizashi series began with the Kizashi 1 that made its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Show, and the Kizashi 2 which was unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The Kizashi 3 however is the closest-to-production variation of the Concept Kizashi series which, according to Suzuki, will arrive to North American dealers by 2010.

We’re not ashamed to say that the Kizashi 3 is one of the sexiest sport sedans that we’ve seen lately and we hope that Suzuki won’t change a thing when it presents the road-going version. Measuring in at 4,650mm/183.1 inches in length, 1,900mm/74.8 inches in width, 1,450mm/57.1 inches in height and with a wheelbase length of 2,800mm/110.2 inches, the Kizashi is a tad smaller than a Mazda6 but slightly larger than a BMW 3 Series Sedan for example

The Concept is powered by a new, 300 Hp strong 3.6-liter DOHC V6 engine with plated cylinders. According to Suzuki, plated cylinders are a weight-and space-saving technology that was evolved from the lessons learned by the company’s motorcycle and WRC development teams. Power is transferred to all-wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. (Pics edited by Carscoop) – Image gallery and details after the jump

[Source: Carscoop]

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