2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport shows up looking sharp

 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport from Front Side View Picture

 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport from Rear View Picture

 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport from Side View Picture

 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport from Wheel View Picture

 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport from Zoom Rear View Picture

 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport from Dashboard View Picture

American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) arrives in Manhattan – known to one city and is populated by many imports – for the worldwide release of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. will be offered exclusively on the GTS and Kizashi SLS trim levels, new ‘Sport’ Suzuki version of the elegant and sophisticated sports sedan is on sale in the United States go in August. Prices for the all new Suzuki Kizashi Sport 2011 given closer to the vehicle arriving in dealer showrooms yet known.
The Kizashi Sport are found us the opportunity to build short term sports sedan and sports car enthusiasts continue to be a cost effective alternative to luxury performance vehicles with Kizashi receive a distinctive new design steering wheel with perforated leather grip contrast stitching on the leather seats, shift knob and Hand brake boot (which are equipped with black leather). Interior Upgrade speak sporting intentions of the Kizashi, with tight-fitting sports seats and driver-centric cockpit. 

Vehicle Highlights

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi lineup gains new sporty variants. Otherwise, this midsize sedan sees no major changes following its introduction for the 2010 model year. Kizashi is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in S, SE, Sport GTS, and Sport SLS trim levels. The latter two trims are new for 2011. All Kizashi models are powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. It produces 185 horsepower when paired with a 6-speed manual and 180 when used with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic. The manual transmission is available on the front-drive S, GTS, and SLS. The CVT is optional on those models and standard on the SE and all AWD versions. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front- and rear-side airbags. Keyless engine start and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard on all models. A 10-way power driver seat with three-position memory are standard on all but the S. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and rear-obstacle detection continue as SLS-exclusive standard features. The Sport GTS and Sport SLS have a lowered sport suspension, specific alloy wheels, and unique exterior and interior trim. 

  

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport

Suzuki decided that tomorrow wasn't soon enough to take the wraps off its new 2011 Kizashi Sport, so they invited us media types to SoHo tonight for a sneak peek before the official unveiling at the 2010 New York Auto Show. What we saw when we arrived was a very sharp looking Kizashi done up in fiery red with new 18-inch alloy wheels, a deeper front chin spoiler, a trunklid spoiler and extended side sills with a dash of chrome here and there. While we had hoped to see a "V6" badge somewhere on it, we were sadly left wanting.

In fact, the 2011 Sport doesn't have any performance tweaks in the engine bay, just the exterior changes and a firmed up suspension. There's also a new sport steering wheel inside as well as contrasting stitching throughout. The Sport package will be available on Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels and ia scheduled to go on sale in the States this August. We have a sneaking suspicion that this is the same Kizashi concept we saw several months ago out at Cars & Coffee, not that there's anything wrong with that. There's a gallery of live pics below along with the freshly released media pics, and the full press release can be after the jump. 

Still hot from the oven, this surprising four-door deserves to be recognized for its many qualities. After all, there isn’t anything quite like it in the brand’s low-profile product family.

Imagine a midsize sedan that may not be as roomy as most competitors in its class but features all-wheel drive as standard and offers driving dynamics on par with a BMW 323i or VW Passat. That, in essence, is the recipe of the Suzuki Kizashi SX.

A new model to spice things up
Now, things get even more interesting with the addition of a new model to the lineup. Suzuki Canada introduced journalists to the all-new Kizashi Sport as part of a special media event in the Laurentides region of La Belle Province.

Available as early as next month, this second model will position itself between the top-of-the-line SX and another newcomer, the entry-level Kizashi S.

Front-wheel drive and a 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine come standard with both the S and Sport models. However, the latter adds five horsepower for a total of 185.

Oh, by the way, forget about a V6! First of all, Suzuki does not build this type of engine. Moreover, it would compromise the car’s outstanding balance, according to Bill Porter, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Suzuki Canada. “The Kizashi doesn’t need a heavier engine and more horsepower. That would only jeopardize the ideal blend of ride and handling achieved by the car,” he claims.

It’s like fitting a V6 under the hood of the Mazda MX-5. Some crazy tuners have taken a shot at it, but they only messed up an otherwise perfectly-balanced little roadster.

Sport as in sporty!
Of course, the sedan we came to try out showed a good dose of sportiness, too. For starters, the automatic CVT has been replaced by a six-speed manual transmission.

After all, the Kizashi takes on one of the hottest segments of the Canadian auto market (1 out of 4 new vehicles purchased in the country is a midsize sedan), including the likes of Camry, Accord and Mazda6. It desperately needs to stand out, which is why the folks at Suzuki used some of the best European sedans as benchmarks.

“We didn’t try to build a new Camry, Accord or Mazda6. We decided to create a zoom-zoom car with more zoom-zoom,” explains Porter.

Enhanced styling
The new Kizashi Sport adds exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and a slightly-stiffer suspension resulting in a 10-mm lower ride height.

Obviously, in true sport fashion, the model receives a beefier front fascia with fog lights, a body kit and a very subtle lip spoiler in the back.

Inside, the all-black leather upholstery (seats, steering wheel, shift knob) features exclusive silver accent stitching — nice. Just like the upscale SX, audio consists in an excellent Rockford Fosgate Premium sound system with nine speakers plus subwoofer. The Kizashi S still boasts eight speakers, which gives you an idea of the equipment level in standard trim.

But forget about features and amenities for a second; the interior fit and finish is simply remarkable. In fact, I could say the same thing about material selection and noise levels, which compare favorably to the quietest from Toyota. Your ears will notice such attention to detail whenever you push the feisty yet fairly discreet four-banger, even at higher revs.

Just enough room
The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi can comfortably accommodate four adults, although rear-seat legroom becomes relatively limited when tall occupants sit in the pleasantly-supportive buckets up front. That being said, the car’s hind quarters still provide a little more comfort than the cramped rear seat of a 3-Series.

Lifting up the trunk lid reveals a wide albeit slightly short opening with a high step. Cargo capacity amounts to 378 litres vs. 400 in the Passat. If need be, the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks will help you stuff more luggage inside.

Interestingly, the owner’s manual warns that the Kizashi is not designed for towing a trailer. Who would dare, anyway? This machine is about pure driving enjoyment. Handling performance at low and high speeds is probably its greatest attribute, hence the connection with European-engineered sedans.

Just ask Bill Porter: “The road test the customer makes at the dealership is what sells the Kizashi. It’s like that every time!”

Drivers are treated to a surgically-precise steering, a slick-shifting gearbox, an ideally-firm, fully-independent suspension that effectively absorbs road imperfections (and God knows how many there are in Quebec!) and powerful brakes that prove easy to modulate. What a delightful combination!

On the flip side, the hilly Laurentides made the Kizashi Sport’s four-cylinder engine struggle on more than a few occasions. When proceeding up steep grades, the sedan could definitely use a couple more ponies, but then again, no other four-cylinder would fare better, not even with a 323i or Mazda6. I did feel that the “sport” label wasn’t totally accurate, however.

This should take nothing away from the sophisticated and refined nature of the Kizashi. Consumers who typically shop for a Passat, TSX or 3-Series would never expect to find such qualities in a Japanese sedan bearing a big “S” on the front grille.

Driving the Kizashi Sport actually reminded me of the impressive Subaru SVX (1991-1997), a high-performance sports coupe that proved to be ahead of its time. Enthusiasts praised the car, while consumers remained largely unaware of its existence for lack of brand recognition.