Maxabout.comEditor Review
Preview of Superb D-segment Contender from Maruti
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Photos
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi
The Kizashi concept, introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, illustrates Suzuki’s progress toward developing a new D-segment entry. The D-segment is divided into two categories: family-oriented cars characterized by cabin roominess and compact “entry luxury,” offering performance, prestige and quality. The new value that Suzuki will provide is unique to the segment in that it combines affordability and emotional appeal.
The Kizashi concept illustrates a high degree of “status” by featuring an appealing blend of cabin roominess, graceful styling, dynamism, character and a passionate spirit matched to Suzuki’s user-centered functionality and performance engineering excellence.
Suzuki realizes that there's no point in entering the D-segment unless it can offer new value that can't be given by any of the existing brands. It might be argued that all existing D-segment cars whose affordability is a selling point are chosen by customers because they offer a good balance of pricing on one hand and the rational factors of equipment, driving performance, and cabin roominess on the other.
But the Suzuki D-segment car will be different. With the D-segment entry, Suzuki is targeting emotional appeal as a way to deliver a level of customer satisfaction far higher than what might be expected from the car's price point.
In other words, Suzuki is the first carmaker to target an uncompromised combination of affordability and emotional appeal in the D-segment.
For sportiness, the car's dimensions need to reflect a priority on performance. So while ensuring the cabin roominess that is essential in the D-segment, the car is as lean as possible.
And with regard to design, Suzuki has thoroughly studied the nature of sporty, exciting styling in the D-segment and has concluded that the design of the new car should have two themes: grace and dynamism.
Concept Kizashi 3 is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 300 hp. The six-speed automatic transmission offers drivers the option of using paddle shifters or letting the computer control the shifts.
Given the current push for increased fuel economy, it would make sense to offer a production version of the Kizashi in front-wheel drive form as well as all-wheel drive, which is found on the concept.
Kizashi 3 looks great, especially the very Lexus-like treatment of the dual exhaust outlets. It's not very likely this particular feature will make production, so enjoy it while you can. The large 21-inch rims are also going to disappear by the time the new sedan hits the road, but they enhance the performance image Suzuki is striving for with Kizashi 3.
Exterior design cues are supposed to draw from the successful GSX-R sport bike line, which would lend some sporting credibility to the new sedan. The future production sedan will be the flagship vehicle for the Suzuki brand and will be roughly the same size as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry once it reaches dealers.
Video of Kizashi Concept III: