VH_Supra26
01-06-2009, 12:49 AM
by Jeremy Weber
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Last year’s Kizashi 3 is the closest of Suzuki’s trio of Kizashi concepts to the upcoming production version
The global financial downturn is forcing Suzuki to postpone its plans to launch a new large car next year, as well as to delay construction on new overseas factories in Thailand and Russia. The news come from Japan’s Nikkei daily and follows similar announcements from a slew of carmakers as the market continues to remain stagnant.
Suzuki was originally planning on unveiling a large car in 2010 based on its Kizashi concept models, the most recent of which was the Kizashi 3 - a stylish sedan concept unveiled at last year’s New York Auto Show that was the closest of the three show cars to resembling anything near a regular production vehicle. There is no word on a new release date.
The Kizashi was going to be manufactured in a brand new plant in Japan and then launched in Japan and the U.S. in mid-2010, however the need to cut back on costs and the falling popularity of large cars both would have influenced the decision to postpone it. As recently as September, Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki hinted that the Kizashi project could be canceled as it made little sense to launch a car into a shrinking segment of the market. However, development of the car was already well underway, with prototypes spotted testing in the U.S. and Germany wearing very light camouflage.
Suzuki previously described the Kizashi as being a sporty sedan designed to compete with other mid-sized cars such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The car, when it is eventually built, will sit on a 4,650mm platform that is 165mm shorter than a Camry, but its wheelbase will be longer to accommodate more interior space.
The engine lineup will supposedly include two petrol engines displacing 2.3L and 3.6L respectively, as well as a 2.0L turbodiesel unit. Front wheel drive is expected to be standard although an AWD option will be available for some models and a paddle-shift six-speed automatic will also be offered.
All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority
http://www.motorauthority.com/report-suzuki-delays-kizashi-sedan.html
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/s/u/suzuki_kizashi_3_001-0916-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/s/u/suzuki_kizashi_3_002-0916-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/s/u/suzuki_kizashi_3_003-0916-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/s/u/suzuki_kizashi_3_004-0916-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/s/u/suzuki_kizashi_3_005-0916-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/s/u/suzuki_kizashi_3_006-0916-950x673.jpg
Last year’s Kizashi 3 is the closest of Suzuki’s trio of Kizashi concepts to the upcoming production version
The global financial downturn is forcing Suzuki to postpone its plans to launch a new large car next year, as well as to delay construction on new overseas factories in Thailand and Russia. The news come from Japan’s Nikkei daily and follows similar announcements from a slew of carmakers as the market continues to remain stagnant.
Suzuki was originally planning on unveiling a large car in 2010 based on its Kizashi concept models, the most recent of which was the Kizashi 3 - a stylish sedan concept unveiled at last year’s New York Auto Show that was the closest of the three show cars to resembling anything near a regular production vehicle. There is no word on a new release date.
The Kizashi was going to be manufactured in a brand new plant in Japan and then launched in Japan and the U.S. in mid-2010, however the need to cut back on costs and the falling popularity of large cars both would have influenced the decision to postpone it. As recently as September, Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki hinted that the Kizashi project could be canceled as it made little sense to launch a car into a shrinking segment of the market. However, development of the car was already well underway, with prototypes spotted testing in the U.S. and Germany wearing very light camouflage.
Suzuki previously described the Kizashi as being a sporty sedan designed to compete with other mid-sized cars such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The car, when it is eventually built, will sit on a 4,650mm platform that is 165mm shorter than a Camry, but its wheelbase will be longer to accommodate more interior space.
The engine lineup will supposedly include two petrol engines displacing 2.3L and 3.6L respectively, as well as a 2.0L turbodiesel unit. Front wheel drive is expected to be standard although an AWD option will be available for some models and a paddle-shift six-speed automatic will also be offered.
All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority
http://www.motorauthority.com/report-suzuki-delays-kizashi-sedan.html