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Suzuki’s focus will be on the Kizashi sedan, featured in a TV spot called “Wicked Weather”. The clip shows the all-wheel drive version as it’s being chased by a pack of evil, almost-zombie-like snowmen. While it sounds like an idea uttered in at an Amsterdam café, the CGI is convincing and the Japanese sedan seems to cope well with the snowy roads. Hit the jump to see the video.
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But the Japanese automaker isn't about to throw in the towel, not just yet. Marking one of its largest advertising campaigns in years, Suzuki has launched an ambition set of edgy ads pitting the Kizashi against similar sized models in the luxury segment such as the Mercedes-Benz C350, Audi A4 and the Volvo S40.
All in all, Suzuki sold a mere 1,878 cars and SUVs in August, down from 5,751 units the same month a year ago. The Japanese automaker says it has around 300 dealers in the U.S. If you do the math, that comes to a little over 6 vehicles sold per dealer in August... Here are some more details on the company's sales broken down model by model:
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Scheduled to go on sale throughout Europe this autumn, Suzuki's lighter, longer and roomier new Swift will be offered at launch with a new 94-horsepower 1.2-liter petrol and an upgraded 75-horsepower 1.3-liter turbo diesel.
In Germany, the five-seater, four-door saloon will be a challenger to models like the Volkswagen Passat, Opel Insignia, Citroen C5, Seat Exeo (previous Audi A4) and the Toyota Avensis.
Offered exclusively on the Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels, Suzuki's definition of 'Sport' (talk about a word losing its meaning...) translates to custom light weight 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10mm lower ride plus a honeycomb lower grille, chrome accents on the front bumper and doors, discreet side skirts and a boot lid spoiler.
The company said that it will offer the Kizashi with all-wheel drive as standard while power will be provided by the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine used on the N.A.-spec model.
The four-cylinder unit churns out 185 HP when linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and 178HP when mated to a CVT.
The Japanese maker is also planning to expand the Kizashi's range in the very near future with a more powerful V6 petrol engine as well as a hybrid version, though it is not clear if these variants will make it to Europe.
We don't know yet if it's technically feasible (and economically viable), but Suzuki's recent tie up with Volkswagen could see the Kizashi sedan being offered with a much-needed in Europe, diesel engine sourced from the German Group.
Together with the Kizashi, Suzuki will also display in Geneva the Swift Plug-in Hybrid that was first introduced at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show as well as new variants of the three-and five-door Grand Vitara with a redesigned rear hatch that does away with the spare tire box.
Suzuki has announced detailed pricing on its all-new Kizashi mid-size sedan that will begin arriving in dealer showrooms in the States in December 2009. Prices will range from $19,734 for the based Kizashi S with a manual gearbox to $27,484 for the top-of-the-line SLS with an automatic transmission (CVT) and AWD. All Kizashi sedans are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 185 HP with the six-speed manual gearbox and 178HP when mated to the CVT.The Kizashi S comes equipped with 8 airbags (front/rear side and curtain), pushbutton keyless start, dual-zone climate control, 9-speaker audio with steering controls, stability control and ABS and, power windows, doors and mirrors as standard.
The better equipped SE model that costs $2,500 more than the automatic version of the S model adds a CVT, 215/55R17 tires on alloy wheels, power driver's seat with 10-way adjustment, 3-position memory driver's seat, and leather wrapped parking brake handle and steering wheel with cruise control.
Next up is the GTS model which is available in six-speed manual or a performance tuned CVT with steering wheel paddle shifters. Priced at $23,234, the SE gets various equipment upgrades over the SE including a 425 watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth streaming audio capability (with compatible MP3 and iPod connectivity) and hands-free calling with voice command, 235/45R18 tires, fog lights and power moon roof.
Finally, the SLS adds leather seats, power passenger seat, heated front seats, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink Universal garage door opener, heated outside mirrors, automatic rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and rear parking sensors.
All prices mentioned above include a $735 destination and handling fee.
The all-new Suzuki Kizashi won't be arriving at the firm's US dealerships before early December, but the Japanese automaker has already prepared four specially tricked-out versions of its mid-size sedan that will be displayed at the SEMA Show in Sin City next week. The list of tuners includes names such as Road Race Motorsport, Delta Tech, Westside Auto and even Import Tuner magazine (though the later has yet to release any photos). As far as appearance goes, we'll give our vote to Road Race Motorsport's kitted out Platinum Edition Kizashi. You can check out all the modded Kizashi sedans after the break.[From Suzuki Press Release]
Road Race Motorsport's Platinum Edition Kizashi
As one of the first custom builders to recognize the potential of Suzuki's vehicles, the presence of Road Race at SEMA comes as no surprise. Given the Kizashi platform's promise – and the fluid, almost organic sheet metal clothing it – Road Race supplies its own very unique take on Kizashi.
SEMA visitors can enjoy Road Race's Sport Body kit exterior which employs Carbontrix custom bumpers, rear spats and diffuser. Road Race has crafted a custom grill, vented hood and made the Kizashi its own 'Platinum Edition' graphics and a blackened roof. These visual modifications are supported by a platform perfectly suited to Las Vegas Motor Speedway or a high-speed drive on I-15 (what happens in Vegas doesn't have to stay in Vegas…).
Progress Technology provided the sport springs and front and rear sway bars. Road Race installed its own chassis stiffeners, and Rotora brings the custom Kizashi to a stop with 330mm slotted rotors up front, supplemented by Road Race's own 260mm slotted rotors in the rear.
Under the vented hood, the sweetness continues with a proprietary custom intake system, Zeitronix ZT-2 data logging system and Road Race engine management. The modifications are concealed – until ignition – by a painted-to-match engine cover, and announced by Road Race's own 'Integrated Sport' dual exhaust system. The Road Race Kizashi can be seen at the Zeitronix Booth #21212.
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Delta Tech Engineering Kizashi
Delta Tech Engineering, a specialist in vehicle lighting, started with a gutted – and lightened – Kizashi body shell. While Delta Tech took care of under the hood, with cold air intake and performance exhausts, RK Sport developed a body kit, Katzkin supplied the custom seating, and Koni enhanced the Kizashi's already composed ride with its own coilovers and shocks.
Lighting, engineered in house by Delta Tech, is LED and HID. Sound equipment upgrades are provided by Kenwood. The Delta Tech Kizashi may be seen at Booth #23526 in the Central Hall.
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Westside Auto Group Kizashi Soleil
Integrating vintage European elegance with the high-performance DNA of Suzuki's Hayabusa, Westside Group's Kizashi Soleil (French for 'masculine sun') incorporates numerous distinct touches, all executed to make an individualistic statement within the unique template supplied by Suzuki's own execution.
Vehicle modifications performed by Westside include custom two-toned paint (Napa Merlot/Bronzed Amber), redesigned front and rear fenders, custom air apertures, fabricated grill, shaved and modified door handles and new front fascia.
In back, a redesigned rear deck lid equipped with a GT Super Car spoiler, and a redesigned rear bumper is equipped with custom Yoshimura exhaust. Planting the Soleil to the ground are early-release Bridgestone Potenza mounted on R-Worx 7-spoke wheels. The Westside Group Kizashi will be on display in the show car area adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Import Tuner Kizashi
No outlet speaks better to the 'tuner' audience than Import Tuner magazine. With its Kizashi the project build team went for the vehicular jugular, with performance enhancements under the hood, appropriate suspension mods connecting those enhancements to the ground, and cosmetic modifications to provide the appropriate visualization for Import Tuner's own editorial visualization.
With a nod to both the SEMA Show and its own Los Angeles – based roots, the Import Tuner Kizashi provides a tune-up to an already class-leading sport sedan. The Import Tuner Kizashi will be on display in the show car area adjacent to the Las Vega
