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2010 Suzuki Kizashi: Power figures released

October 18, 2009 at 2:57 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Suzuki

Suzuki recently unveiled the 2010 Kizashi but along with the announcement, the auto maker did not reveal power figures of the new Japanese sedan. The Kizashi is initially offered with a 2.4 litre 4-cylinder powerplant that can output 185HP at 6,500 revs and 230Nm of torque at 4,000 revs. The engine has 16 valves and features a DOHC setup. The power unit is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission that allows the vehicle to hit 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.

Fuel consumption is rated at 23 miles to the gallon (US, city) or 31 miles to the gallon (US, highway). Furthermore, apart from a front wheel drive setup there is also an all wheel drive configuration. Buyers can also opt for a CVT tranny, but horsepower will be reduced to 178HP at 6,000 revs.

Suzuki will add a range-toppng V6 petrol unit later on and as reported earlier, a hybrid variant will join the line-up as well. Both these additions will be offered in about two years. In the US, the 2010 Kizashi is offered with four trim levels including S, SE, GTS and SLS.

The basic S model comes with features like sport front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, up to eight airbags, push button start and more. Pricing for this model starts from US$20,000. The range topping SLS model fitted with the all wheel drive system costs US$24,000.

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Suzuki Swift Concept gets Plug-In Hybrid System

October 2, 2009 at 4:18 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift PHV

The plug-in hybrid system in this modified Suzuki Swift features a combustion engine that’s much smaller than its production Swift counterparts – only 658cc producing 54 horsepower (40kW). But what it does have is a 74 horsepower (55kW) electric motor to run the car at all times, powered by lithium ion batteries. The combustion engine kicks in to recharge the batteries, making this a series hybrid system much like Volt. One full charge can take the car about 20km.

swift-phv-2

Because there is no need for a conventional geared transmission, the lithium ion batteries are positioned in the center console where a car’s transmission would typically be, between the two front seats. The seats are quite funky though – with a design reminding me of expensive ergo office chairs.

Look after the jump for larger photos of the Suzuki
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Tokyo gets its own Suzuki Alto Concept

October 2, 2009 at 2:41 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, Cars, International News, Suzuki

Suzuki Alto Concept

Suzuki has so very quickly updated the Alto for the Tokyo Motorshow 2009, though it’s still calling it a “concept” for now.. This update may seem like it’s coming a little too soon considering the Alto has just been launched in India and various other countries.

It could be either one of two things. One is it’s a facelifted model being previewed a little too prematurely. I have a feeling that it could also be not really a new car but a more premium and refined take on the existing car for the Japanese market, and potentially any other market that can accept paying a little more for a compact car.

Suzuki AltoSee in Japan, people don’t exactly buy a really small car because they can’t afford anything better. Alot of the times its more of a choice. It’s a very Japanese thing really. These customers don’t mind paying a little more for extra design finesse and refinement.

Or even a little more uniqueness, which is why you have the Mira and you also have the Mira Custom. Or Move and Move Custom, etc. Even the Alto shares a nameplate in Japan with a different looking vehicle – the Suzuki Alto Lapin. So this is it, an updated Alto for the Tokyo show, and it does look sharper than the original Alto. Look after the jump for 5 shots of the Alto Concept.
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2010 Suzuki Kizashi officially revealed! Hybrid model coming soon

July 31, 2009 at 2:03 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Suzuki

Suzuki has officially revealed the 2010 Kizashi mid-sized sedan, that is offered in both front wheel drive and all wheel drive forms. Based on the Kizashi Concept that was previewed two years ago, the mid-size sedan is treated to a large prominent grille up front with curvaceous design lines under the projector beam headlights, which is also evident at the rear end. There are two exhaust tailpipes as well, on each side. The Kizashi also sits on the ground with 18-inch alloy wheels, treated to a multi-spoke design.

Inside, you can choose between cloth or premium leather seats. With the latter, you will get three-stage heating and memory function. Both material options are finished with French seams, hard cover rears and low fatigue foam. More features include, key-less entry (with start/stop button), iPod connectivity, Bluetooth (optional) and a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system (optional). There is also a three-spoke steering wheel, in front of a two-gauge (with chrome outline and light blue lighting) instrument panel, with an LCD display.

Now to what is under the hood. Before I can continue, I must say that Suzuki has neglected to mention official performance figures of the Kizashi, along with the engine output numbers as well. We do know that it is powered by a 2.4-litre DOHC inline 4-cylinder, mated to either a 6 speed manual or a CVT transmission. With the CVT, buyers will get steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

The engine includes an aluminum block and cylinder heads, aluminum pistons with low tensile force rings, dropped-forged connecting rods, rotating on a forged steel crankshaft and a balancer shaft that delivers improved engine balance and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Suspension wise, the Kizashi with a rigid steel unibody features MacPherson struts in the reinforced front suspension, while the rear is treated to a multi-link setup, which is constructed with embedded aluminum to improve handling. As mentioned earlier, the Kizashi is also offered with an all wheel drive system, which is Suzuki’s first for its sedan segment. The system’s torque split remains dependent on several factors, including wheel slippage and throttle input.

Safety wise, it comes with eight airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD and a tire pressure monitoring system. You can also go home with Suzuki’s synergetic vehicle dynamic control, which allows you to have more fun with the car, with minimal intrusion from the ESP. The auto maker also revealed that it is developing a hybrid variant of the Kizashi, and that it will be added into the line-up in the future. Expect the new sedan from Suzuki to hit US showrooms by December. Continue reading to view an image gallery and to watch a half-hour long video.
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Volkswagen to take up 10% stake in Suzuki?

June 28, 2009 at 10:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Rumours, Suzuki, Volkswagen

Suzuki Alto

A German magazine reported last week that Volkswagen is looking to take up a 10% stake in Japanese carmaker Suzuki. Taking up stake and collaborating with the Japanese company in various areas such as network and product collaboration will allow Volkswagen to enter the Indian market with more success than they currently are having. Suzuki currently dominates the Indian market through the local JV, Maruti Suzuki.

The small little cars that Suzuki and Daihatsu are so good at building at seems to be a secret art that no one else can master. Most of the time the cars come out too cramped as there is not very efficient use of space, or they end up being too costly to manufacturer and price at the appropriate price tag that it needs to have.

Suzuki could benefit from Volkswagen’s technologies such as various fuel-saving tech such as FSI, TSI, TDI diesel and even hybrid tech, and Volkswagen could definitely use Suzuki’s access in India, and perhaps its K-car platforms in case it wants to do something smaller than the NSF (the Up! concepts – future Lupo).

Either way, investors seem to think positively of such a deal, as Suzuki shares went up by nearly 7.7% before settling down up 5.5% at 2,195 Japanese Yen.

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Suzuki SX4 and SX4 Sedan facelift revealed in China

March 18, 2009 at 10:23 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Suzuki

Changan-Suzuki, Suzuki’s auto arm in China has launched the facelift version of the Suzuki SX4 and SX4 Sedan for the Chinese market.

The facelift consists of a redesigned bumper, revised grille, concave surfaces above the fog light, as well as a new skid-plate at the rear of the hatchback. The facelift also matches the 2010 SX4 for the European market.

The Suzuki SX4 facelift range also comes with a slightly updated interior and a revised GPS navigation system. Please continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Suzuki Swift now with keyless entry and start

March 8, 2009 at 6:29 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift
Click for enlarged image

Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd have updated their Suzuki Swift for the 2009 model year. The locally assembled Swift retails at RM 73,788.00 OTR with insurance and comes in 5 colours, including Bayside Blue, Silver Grey, Supreme Red and Tranquility Black as well as one new colour – Superior White.

Suzuki has basically added 2 features – a keyless entry and start system, and auto-retractable side mirrors with integrated signal indicators. The keyless entry system allows you to open the door via pressing a button on the door handle, and the keyless engine start is not unlike Latio’s where you turn an ignition knob, not as sexy as a start button but it works. Its primarily to allow you to access and start the car without having to take out the key fob from your pocket or in the case of ladies, your handbag.

The rest of the car should remain largely the same – a 1.5 litre DOHC engine with variable valve timing producing 101hp at 6,000rpm and 133Nm of torque at 4,000rpm mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, good cute but perhaps now dated looks and one of the best handling and fun factor in its class.

Look after the jump for more shots of the Swift.
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The Suzuki Kizashi sedan is not dead (yet?)

January 7, 2009 at 5:55 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

Suzuki Kizashi

The media blitz about Suzuki canceling its D-segment Suzuki Kizashi earlier this week was fueled by Japanese business daily The Nikkei. Now it appears that the show will go on, and the Kizashi will go on as scheduled to make a production debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show in April 2009! As for when a showroom debut will happen, that will happen at the show in April.

The Nikkei’s sources must have made a mistake somewhere, but they’re not to blame for believing it’s true! During this time where the market is shifting towards smaller and fuel efficient cars, Suzuki who is an expert at building small cars wants to come up with a large car in a segment that it has absolutely no presence in. Will anyone take a chance to buy something so distant and unfamiliar in that range of cars in this time and day?

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Suzuki cancels the Suzuki Kizashi D-segment sedan

January 6, 2009 at 9:09 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

Suzuki Kizashi 3

We have another recession casualty here, this time it’s a Suzuki. Joining the ranks of cancelled projects by car manufacturers such as the recent NSX is the upcoming (not anymore, for now!) Suzuki Kizashi D-segment sedan. Despite what seems to be a properly running full production model running around all sorts of terrain and even the Nurburgring, the large sedan has been canned. Suzuki is an expert at doing small cars, and small cars seem to work best in current times. More and more car manufacturers are moving down the segments, so why would Suzuki move up? Good for them for making this decision!

UPDATE: Suzuki executives have denied the report and said the Suzuki Kizashi is not dead, and will be making a production appearance as scheduled at the New York auto show in April.

Source

Related Posts:
Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept
More about the Suzuki Concept Kizashi

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GM sells its Suzuki stake to stay float

November 17, 2008 at 4:18 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

gm logoAs it doesn’t look like GM is going to receive any federal bailout anytime soon, it’s raising some cash to stay afloat by selling all of its stake in Suzuki – 3% or 16.413 million shares to be exact – back to the Japanese company, who will buy back its own shares at 1,363 yen (RM50.40) a share.

GM originally owned 20% of Suzuki but sold 17% back in 2006 in a transaction worth USD$1.96 billion. With this recent sale, it ceases to have any stake in the Japanese automaker. It also sold its 20% stake in Subaru in 2005, and part of that ex-GM stake is now owned by Toyota.

What’s next to go? Saab? Perhaps Buick will go to a Chinese company, since the brand is rather popular in China, doing even better there than in the US. There was also a story about it trying to flog off Hummer to Tata or Mahindra.

Perhaps at the end of the day Proton can buy GM for US$1 :P

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