Production Suzuki Kizashi coming to New York Auto Show in April

Reports came out yesterday saying that Suzuki has shelved plans to build a mid-sized sedan based on the Kizashi 3 Concept. Suzuki today denied the reports coming out of Japan and said that plans to release a production version of the Kizashi 3 Concept in the United States this year are on track.
“The production version will debut at this year’s New York auto show in April,” Jeff Holland, spokesman for American Suzuki Motor Corp., told Automotive News in an interview today.
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NItePhire - 1/7/2009 9:02:51 AM

+5 Boost

If this is true then it would serve them well to keep the exact same shape overall including grill and headlamp. For some reason car makers deem it necessary to change things from concept to production even if its not really needed.

BlakuraTLS - 1/7/2009 10:54:33 AM

+2 Boost

NitePhire, i agree that they should leave the design as is for production, but as we all know sometimes, when the production model goes on sale, they have to make adjustments like more air intake room in the grill to keep the engine and brakes cool during operation.

inspirion7 - 1/7/2009 11:42:43 AM

+1 Boost

I agree with the comment of allowing air flow and regulatory design implementation, but to make the designs so static compared to the concept really doesn't do the product justice. It just reinforce the idea that concepts are just high dollar toys for the companies. Now days, it is very common to see a production model worked up to look like a concept. I believe that is what happened to the Kizashi.

golfer38 - 1/8/2009 1:41:11 PM

+1 Boost

Its very frustrating to see these automakers use the concept as a hype vehicle only. Knowing full well that the production design will vary dramatically from the concept.

veyron1001 - 1/7/2009 9:12:43 AM

0 Boost

It looks a lot like an audi in the front and a little like a mazda rx8 in the back.

91z4me - 1/7/2009 9:56:27 AM

+2 Boost

WTF are you smoking? The Cruze is on the Detla chassis a compact car chassis. This is midsize so if it shares a GM chassis it will utilize the Epsilon chassis (which underpins the Chevy Malibu).

91z4me - 1/7/2009 9:59:01 AM

+2 Boost

Also the Cruze's turbocharged 1.4 I4 is pretty much going to be top of the game for the US market, none of Suzuki's engines is top of it's segment so why would GM use one of their engines?

BlakuraTLS - 1/7/2009 10:55:59 AM

+1 Boost

Watch out Hyundai! Looks like a good competitor to the Sonata or at least the Optima.

LuxuryFan - 1/7/2009 11:36:01 AM

+1 Boost

It looks better than the Infiniti G37 sedan.

dumpsty - 1/7/2009 12:15:35 PM

+1 Boost

Isn't the Kizashi 3 production car going to be a re-styled Chevy Cruz? I think somebody already mentioned that...
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But the Kizashi 3 won't have many exterior dimensional similarities to the concept version, which is a bit disappointing.<br>
They should just partner with Chrysler to develop a Suzuki version of the Magnum to sell a Kizashi wagon.

mercuryguy - 1/7/2009 2:26:47 PM

+1 Boost

Wow. Suzuki has come a long way. Nice looking car.

Bmw8ter - 1/8/2009 8:37:29 AM

+1 Boost

With a big hood like that I'd hope there would be a Twin Turbo engine under there.

DennyCrane - 1/8/2009 11:58:22 AM

+1 Boost

Looky there, is that an Audi or Jetta? Suzuki you say? Hmmmmm I count 4 wheels, when did Suzuki start making cars? Who's your daddy... Denny Crane

downtoearth - 1/8/2009 4:41:59 PM

+1 Boost

I doesn't look bad but it's crap when compared to the Kizashi concept, one of the bests if not the best design that has recently come from Japan.