News Release
New Suzuki Kizashi Sedan Gets The Green Light for New Zealand
18 February 2010
Suzuki is entering a new market sector with the New Zealand launching of the new European-inspired Kizashi sedan this year.
In what is a clear departure from the traditional family saloon, the Kizashi was recently introduced into the North American market to enthusiastic independent reviews.
Suzuki New Zealand has confirmed the new premium model will go on local sale before mid-year, within a few weeks of the car’s Australian launch.
The 4.65 metre long mid-size, front-wheel-drive Kizashi will be the largest sedan ever offered in New Zealand by Suzuki.
For the first time the fast growing brand will have a contender in the medium size class with a car that will be up against models like the Toyota Camry, Mazda 6 and Honda Accord Euro.
But the car also has the potential to challenge more costly rivals like the Audi A4, Alfa Rome 159 and Volkswagen Passat.
The car’s nomenclature in Japanese means “something great is coming”, and is pronounced kee-zah-shee.
Critics in the United States have benchmarked the Kizashi against some of the leading cars in the world, with one describing it as a unique blend of dynamic performance attributes with premium design esthetics and craftsmanship.
Four years in development and destined to be a world model, the latest Suzuki passenger car is the most important automobile ever launched in the USA.
“We wanted to build a world-class sports sedan at a price the average person can afford,” said Gene Brown, vice-president of marketing for American Suzuki. The car offered a level of entertainment that had been refined out of rival mid-size sedans.
It was relatively light, agile and honest in communicating its intentions, he said. Strong points included low road noise, good highway composure, a smooth ride and a driver-friendly cabin.
Suzuki Canada president Seiichi Maruyama said at the Canadian unveiling of the car, “The European inspired Kizashi will distinguish itself in this very competitive sector by focusing on handling and stability.
“The Kizashi is designed to have the handling of an Alfa Romeo and the stability of a Volkswagen. The target was to have the best chassis in the class,” said Maruyama.
American journalists said the 2.4-litre twin camshaft-engined car handled and rode well and accelerated respectably.
The Kizashi asserted a more rambunctious character than most mid-size sedans and was described as “a luxury car for the masses”.
“Kizashi will change the way many people look at Suzuki,” said one reviewer. “This is a premium car without a premium price.”
Built at Suzuki’s plant in Sagara, Japan, the Kizashi’s pre-production testing included unrestricted German autobahns and the twisting Nurburgring race track, alpine roads in Switzerland and cobblestone roads in rural England.
The car’s distinctive appearance is attracting high interest. The subtle design boasts many clever features including a broad shoulder line beneath the side windows that flows forward into each headlight and down into the surprisingly flared front guards.
The discreet integral duck bill rear spoiler seems to disappear when not viewing the car in profile, while the twin exhaust pipes exit through a pair of chrome surrounds integrated into the rear bumper.
“Something new catches your eye each time you see the car,” said one American journalist. “The design will age well for owners and not need tweaking to stay fresh in a model year or two.”
“The car redefines the traditional performance sedan and moves the Suzuki brand upscale without abandoning Suzuki’s traditional emphasis on content and value.”
Kizashi has been given the highest safety rating awarded in the United States. It has a five star rating in both frontal and side impact crash tests.
Standard equipment runs to a class-leading list of safety equipment, including electronic stability control and Akebono sourced disc brakes all round. Suzuki is also working on a hybrid version of the car.
Pricing and New Zealand specification of the Kizashi will be announced closer to the launch date.
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