Sharp Knife Suzuki unveils the Kizashi sports sedan

MANILA, Philippines - Known primarily as a maker of small cars such as the Alto, Celerio and Swift as well as motorcycles, Suzuki Philippines takes a bold step forward with the introduction of the Kizashi midsize 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 hp 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 unibody 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 Germany’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. Up front, 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 up front 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 any 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 serene leather-lined 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 standard four-wheel Akebono disc brakes, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), 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 three colors: Super Black Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, and Snow White Pearl. The retail price for the Kizashi is P1,288,000.