Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Thread

[PanterroR]

Suzuki has released an official teaser for its new Kizashi 3 concept sedan, which will be unveiled in a couple of weeks at the New York Auto Show. The Kizashi concept vehicles represent Suzuki’s first attempt at developing a model that could be sold in the middle class segment and the popularity of the original Kizashi and Kizashi 2 concepts displayed last year quickly prompted officials to green light production plans.

The first two concepts were powered by efficient four-cylinder turbodiesel and petrol V6 engines but the third variant is expected to sport an all-new V8 powerplant. The styling of the Kizashi 3 will be the closest of the three concepts to the final production model, which is shaping up to be a new midsized sports sedan.

Hyundai has proven that a budget carmaker can develop and market a V8 saloon and now it seems Suzuki is set to do the same. Unlike Hyundai’s RWD Genesis, the Suzuki is expected to feature an AWD powertrain and could also offer a hybrid option.


Source: Motor Authority >> Suzuki releases Kizashi 3 teaser

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That chop looks very, very nice...

[PanterroR]

Short PR from WCF:

Press Release

Brea, Calif., (March 6, 2008) – The New York International Auto Show welcomes American Suzuki Motor Corp. on Thursday, March 20, as the company debuts its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, the final addition to its acclaimed Kizashi concept series. The Concept Kizashi 3, which suggests both Suzuki’s future design direction and stated intent to offer a larger, more upscale sport sedan, will be joined in New York by the North American debuts of the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2.

The Kizashi concept series was developed by Suzuki’s Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking its design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with the Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show last October, which further pushed Suzuki’s new design language. The Concept Kizashi 3 will represent the completion of the Kizashi concept series as well as providing a closer-to-production vision of a future Suzuki sport sedan offering. The complete Kizashi concept series will be revealed at the Suzuki press conference on Thursday, March 20, at 12:10 p.m. in booth 1215 at the Javits center.

[PanterroR]

Suzuki Auto Concept Kizashi



Suzuki Auto Concept Kizashi 2

[siko]

PRESS RELEASE
LIVE! FROM NEW YORK: SUZUKI DEBUTS CONCEPT KIZASHI 3 AT 2008 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

• Suzuki "Way of Life!" brand spirit illustrated by world debut of athletic Concept Kizashi 3
• Suzuki broadcasts plan to produce global sport sedan based on Concept Kizashi 3 design
• Series premiere of complete Concept Kizashi family

NEW YORK (March 20, 2008) – Performing onstage at this year's New York International Auto Show in front of a packed house, American Suzuki Motor Corp. hosts the world debut of its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, which completes the company's star-studded cast of media-acclaimed Kizashi concepts. In addition to the North American reveals of Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the global introduction of Concept Kizashi 3 coincides with Suzuki's announcement that it will produce a sport sedan derived from the Concept Kizashi 3 design.

The Concept Kizashi series was developed by Suzuki's Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which further revealed Suzuki's new design language.

"Kizashi means 'prelude' in Japanese, and that's exactly what this design represents for Suzuki from both a business and a product standpoint," said Mark Harano, president, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Concept Kizashi 3 illustrates our brand character and personifies our heritage, design strength and engineering prowess. With customers in 192 countries and regions, Suzuki is truly a global brand, and the coming model carries on our mission to build the image of our automotive products in North America and eventually match our bikes' reputation."

Known primarily as a maker of small vehicles, Suzuki intends for the production derivative of the Kizashi series to serve as the company's flagship vehicle, strengthening its current product line of small cars, trucks and SUVs with a sporting, more accommodating sedan. The future production model will be built at Suzuki's brand-new Sagara plant in Japan, currently under construction, and provide an accessible alternative to the near-luxury segment. While a firm timetable has not been announced, Suzuki will deliver the Kizashi-influenced sport sedan to North American dealers by 2010.

The Concept Kizashi Series
Evoking the physical superiority and dignity of a world-class athlete, the Concept Kizashi series was developed to create a substantial presence that redefines the traditional performance vehicle and moves the Suzuki brand upscale. The overall design theme suggests physical strength from intense daily training, with the strong will, commitment and presence of a champion.

Each of the Concept Kizashi vehicles strikes a balance between driver comfort and sportiness, with roomy cabins melded to lean, dynamic exteriors. The hood and body style of all three Concept Kizashis hint at abundant engine power and wind-splitting aerodynamics, while the long wheelbase, aggressive wheel/tire combinations and abbreviated overhangs communicate a performance-oriented, energetic image. A powerful-looking body profile is incorporated throughout the series to convey underlying strength, with large wheels and a wide tread expressing a capacity for superior performance. Beyond its exterior architecture, the Concept Kizashi series constitutes a four-wheeled continuation of Suzuki's exciting, performance-oriented motorcycle heritage, represented best by its dynamic, world-renowned line of GSX-R sportbikes. Those bikes, some two decades after their introduction, continue to dominate the sportbike segment and have achieved iconic status.

Concept Kizashi
Concept Kizashi made its world debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, demonstrating Suzuki's progress toward the development of a vehicle that combines sportiness, style and substance. As the first concept in the Kizashi series, the vehicle's dynamic exterior was specifically developed to push the envelope and establish the overall design theme of the series. Reflecting the spirit of a highway athlete, the exaggerated dimensions of Concept Kizashi and its strong fascia communicate a dignified character and the overall presence of a dynamic flagship vehicle.

Concept Kizashi 2
Debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the Concept Kizashi 2 crossover sport wagon aims at drivers with dynamic lifestyles and can accommodate a wide range of activities. Continuing the series' athletic theme, Concept Kizashi 2 reflects the body of a triathlete, with the five-door vehicle's all-road capability enhanced by its raised height and all-wheel-drive configuration. In addition to the sport crossover's versatility, its 3.6 liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission promise a rewarding and engaging driving experience for daily drivers and enthusiasts alike.

Concept Kizashi 3
The closest-to-production variation of the Concept Kizashi series, Concept Kizashi 3 embodies Suzuki's interpretation of the sport sedan segment in the North American market. The Kizashi's "super sport" identity, a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA, is tempered by the vehicle's overall mission to provide strong, refined urban performance.

As with Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the front end of the Concept Kizashi 3 expresses strength and style, with sharply fashioned headlights that emphasize the sensation of forward motion. The vehicle's exquisitely engineered body reflects Suzuki's distinctive combination of capability and refinement, with power flowing from a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 engine with plated cylinders – a weight-and space-saving technology that evolved from the lessons learned by Suzuki's motorcycle and WRC development teams. The body's monochrome finish, Kizashi Silver, gives the vehicle a sense of composure and depth of character, with metallic paint sparkling to emphasize the dynamism of the body's cross-section.

Concept Kizashi 3 Specifications

• Powertrain layout: Front engine, four-wheel drive with Advanced i-AWD system
• Seating capacity (persons): Five
• Tires: 255/30ZR21 9.5J
• Wheels: 21-inch, nine-spoke, aluminum
• Engine: 3,564cm3 V6, DOHC, 24-valve
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic (with paddle shifters)
• Maximum power: 300 hp
• Overall length: 4,650mm/183.1 in.
• Overall width: 1,900mm/74.8 in.
• Overall height: 1,450mm/57.1 in.
• Wheelbase: 2,800mm/110.2 in.
• Minimum ground clearance: 120mm
• Body color: Kizashi Silver

[Source: Suzuki]

[siko]

FROM 2008 NYIAS




More pictures @ Autobog.com here...

[Merc1]

Now that is powerful and good looking. Makes the new Maxima look like a turd.



Very handsome no matter the angle. First Hyundai and now Suzuki.

M

[Merc1]

With the unveiling of the Kizashi 3 concept car, the Kizashi period at Suzuki is finally nearing an end. Sort of.

The whole thing started at Frankfurt with the unveiling of the Kizashi concept --
a not-at-all-unpleasant-looking red four-door hatchback. This was followed
(predictably) by the largely pointless and fussy-looking four-door hatch Kizashi 2 concept
at the Tokyo auto show. And now Suzuki has stripped the least realistic stuff from
the basic style and revealed the nearer-to-production Kizashi 3 notchback sedan.



A further stripping of auto-show filigree such as the super-narrow side mirrors
and the 21-inch wheels would reveal the range-topping sedan that the company
will begin selling sometime in 2009 as a 2010 model. Based on the newest version
of GM's Epsilon platform that, in slightly different form, sits under the Chevy Malibu,
the sedan will be available with a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 (from the XL7 sport-ute
and sourced from GM) and all-wheel drive. We expect the company to introduce a four-cylinder
version and a front-drive version.

And while the grille is a bit over the top, the sedan is certainly one of the more compelling
designs we've ever seen from Suzuki. --Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit


Straightline - Suzuki Kizashi 3: 2008 New York Auto Show


M