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| Photos courtesy of Suzuki Press |
Known primarily as a maker of small cars
such as the Celerio and Swift as well as motorcycles, Suzuki Philippines
takes a bold step forward with the introduction of the Kizashi sports sedan.
Marking the company’s first foray into the highly competitive, brand conscious
executive sedan market, the Kizashi comes extremely prepared: it’s benchmarked
against some of the world’s best cars including those from European brands. Meaning
“a sign of things to come” in Japanese, the Kizashi delivers a unique blend of
performance, design and craftsmanship into the executive sedan segment.
At the heart of the Kizashi’s performance
package is a new 2.4-liter inline-4 engine built at Suzuki’s brand-new
manufacturing facility in Sagara,
Japan. The
all-aluminum construction makes it lightweight and compact while drop-forged
connecting rods and a forged steel crankshaft provide durability. All in all,
the Kizashi delivers 180 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque which certainly puts
it at par with its rivals’ four-cylinder offerings.
The Kizashi is available solely with a
continuously variable transmission (CVT). With this gearbox, the Kizashi should
be able to deliver both the driving experience and fuel efficiency today’s
drivers demand without compromising the character preferred by enthusiasts. The
CVT also has a manual +/- function, offering ultimate driver control regardless
of speed or driving environment.
Completing the Kizashi’s driver-oriented
characteristics is an extremely rigid steel uni-body with reinforced
independent MacPherson Struts upfront and multi-links at the back. Constructed
with embedded aluminum, it allows for crisp and nimble handling with excellent
stability as well as a sophisticated ride and reduced chassis vibration. The
Kizashi’s chassis advancements were validated with extreme testing done on
Germay’s Autobahn, Switzerland’s
Alpine corners, the cobblestones of rural England and even the legendary Nürburgring
race track.
Outside, the Suzuki Kizashi carries its
sporty credentials squarely on its shoulders. Upfront, the mesh-type grille
with the dominant Suzuki logo brings a hint of sportiness and refinement to the
entire package. The headlamps feature a “connected rings” look achieved by a
high-gloss silver finish. At the side, the Kizashi spares no expenses and
features high-luster piano black acrylics on the B-pillar as well as beltline
moldings, reminiscent of high-end German sedans. At the back, the rear lamps convey
a cylindrical theme that matches the headlamps upfront and give an impression
of depth and softness. And finally, the Kizashi features twin exhausts with
distinctive covers which were inspired by the company’s range of sport bikes.
Inside, Suzuki has taken advantage of its
expertise in the compact car segment to efficiently execute a large interior
that affords comfort and practicality without the wasted space. Along with the
cabin proportions that reward comfort and roominess, the Kizashi has a contemporary
and upscale feel with features such as standard sports seats which are all in
line with the car’s performance-oriented characteristics. In addition,
enthusiasts will appreciate the Kizashi’s sporty instrument panel while
passengers will revel in the generous creature comfort features such as dual automatic
climate control, premium quality materials and a quietly serene cabin thanks to
the extensive use of sound insulation material to suppress road, tire and wind
noise. Other additional standard equipment on the Kizashi include a USB input
for audio devices, foot well lighting for the front passengers, an Intelligent
Key keyless engine start/stop, and audio controls on the steering wheel.
Besides being athletic, comfortable, and
sophisticated inside and out, the Suzuki Kizashi is also built from the ground
up to be one of the safest in its class. With the company’s proprietary Total
Effective Control Technology or TECT, it already meets the stringent US safety
standards put in place for the 2014 model year which includes rigorous side
pole crash and rear offset collision tests. The Kizashi’s reinforced body is
completed by a myriad of safety features including four-wheel Akebono disc brakes, anti-lock brakes with electronic
brakeforce distribution, electronic stability program (ESP), and six airbags.
In designing and developing their latest
automotive creation, the ‘Kizashi’ name is certainly very appropriate. With
eye-catching looks and exemplary performance, the Suzuki Kizashi is set to
redefine the traditional sports sedan. Above all, it successfully moves the
Suzuki brand upscale without abandoning their traditional core competence of
providing excellent content and value. Furthermore, the Kizashi reiterates the
brand’s active and energetic identity while providing strong and refined
performance.
The Suzuki Kizashi is now available at all
Suzuki automotive dealers nationwide and is available in 3 colors: Super Black
Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, and Snow White Pearl. The retail price for the
Kizashi is P 1,288,000.
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