Suzuki Blog
Domestics surpass imports as a whole in 2010 J.D. Power APEAL studyFiled under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, Volkswagen 
Click above for gallery of the graphics from J.D. Power and Associates
Porsche once again grabs the top spot (for the sixth time in a row) in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. This year's study asked 76,000 owners 90 days after purchasing their 2010 model-year cars "how gratifying their new vehicle is to own and drive." The answer, for the first time since 1997, was that the domestic brands were more "appealing" as a whole than the imports (the domestics earned a score of 787 on a 1,000-point scale - 13 points greater than the imports).
When it comes down to specific awards (as shown in the segment-level graphics), Ford leads with five. The automaker earned one each for the Expedition, Explorer Sport Trac, Flex, Fusion and Taurus. Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen each garner two awards. The Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Avalanche, both segment leaders, are the only two models that ranked highest in the 2010 APEAL study and in the 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) announced in June. Suzuki is credited with the greatest improvement this year, while Jeep drops one slot from last year's 2009 APEAL Study and falls to the bottom of the list for 2010. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.
[Source: JDPower.com]Continue reading Domestics surpass imports as a whole in 2010 J.D. Power APEAL study Domestics surpass imports as a whole in 2010 J.D. Power APEAL study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSuzuki Kizashi hits the recall skids over dashboard safety issueFiled under: Budget, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Suzuki 
2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click above for high-res image gallery
Bad news for the loveable Suzuki Kizashi: the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has issued a recall on the Japanese sedan. Evidently, the lower glove box door can pop open during an accident, possibly coming in contact with the front passenger's body at the same time. For those interested in such things, the news means that the Kizashi doesn't conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201. The standard deals with passenger protection from impact on pieces of the car's interior, fittingly enough.
According to the NHTSA, Suzuki will replace the offending door with a new piece free of charge on all 5,107 Kizashi models covered by the recall. There's no word on how long the fix should take. For more information, owners can check out the NHTSA site or contact their local Suzuki dealer.
[Source: NHTSA]
Photos by John Neff / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.Suzuki Kizashi hits the recall skids over dashboard safety issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsConsumer Reports gives top marks to Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata among family sedansFiled under: Car Buying, Sedan, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Nissan, Suzuki  
2010 Nissan Altima and 2011 Hyundai Sonata - Click either image above for high-res image gallery
The minds at Consumer Reports have just wrapped up testing on a handful of family sedans. The publication lined up the Chevrolet Impala, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima and Suzuki Kizashi for a four-door throw down, and by the time the dust settled, Nissan and Hyundai reigned supreme. Both the four-cylinder Altima and Sonata racked up 'Excellent' ratings from the Consumer Reports testers, but only the Altima managed to walk away with the coveted 'Recommended' badge - the Sonata is too new for CR to weigh in on the Big Hyun's reliability.
Likewise, the Kizashi secured an 'Excellent' rating, though missed out on the honor of being 'Recommended' for the same reason. The same can't be said for the Chevrolet Impala. The Bowtie only managed a 'Good' rating, though it fared poorly enough in testing to be 'Not Recommended.' According to Consumer Reports, the big Chevrolet's disappointing fuel economy, clumsy four-speed transmission and lackluster fit-and-finish simply mean that it's due for a new model in a big way. Hop the jump for the full press release blast.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2009, (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Consumer Reports gives top marks to Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata among family sedans Consumer Reports gives top marks to Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata among family sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPikes Peak 2010: Tajima fastest man on the mountain, but ten minute mark remains unbrokenFiled under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing 
2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb - Click above for high-res image gallery
I had a choice to make for the race day of this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Do I stick to the more photogenic middle portions of the course or do I head to the finish line to potentially see history made? The decision was easy. If the infamous ten-minute mark was going to be broken, I wanted to be there to see the car at the checkered flag. After all, the chances seemed quite good. "Monster" Tajima had smashed the qualifying record the previous day and had looked incredibly fast during the practice sections. The track conditions and weather were ideal in the morning, and the first few groups showed plenty of promise. In fact, a few track records were broken in the morning groups of cars, including Rhys Millen's recent fastest time in the Time Attack 2WD class.
There was an atmosphere of excitement and tension near the finish line as it was announced Tajima had started his run, and we all waited impatiently to hear the shriek of his Suzuki's twin-turbo V6. It soon arrived, echoing around the surrounding mountains. Within 30 seconds Tajima came tearing around the last turn, the rear tires breaking loose momentarily as he fought to keep it pointed towards the finish line. The Suzuki came tearing across the finish line, and we all looked at one another, wondering if the record had been broken.
Make the jump to read the rest of the story about race day at Pikes Peak.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima fastest man on the mountain, but ten minute mark remains unbroken Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima fastest man on the mountain, but ten minute mark remains unbroken originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPikes Peak 2010: Tajima dominates third practice session, sets qualifying recordFiled under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing 
2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Practice Day 3 and Qualifying - Click above for high-res image gallery
A few lessons learned from my second day on Pikes Peak:
- If you don't like cold weather, then watch the race on the bottom part of the course. After experiencing the freezing temps at 14,000 feet, I came better prepared this morning with more layers and hand warmers. I needn't have bothered. Even at 4:30 in the morning I was comfortable in a light jacket. Who would've thought that being 9,000 feet above sea level would feel so good?
- Don't forget sun screen at high elevation. The sun feels twice as harsh in the thin air. I'll be peeling for weeks.
- You can't drink too much water in Colorado. Despite downing what seems like gallons of water, I still feel more dried out than a saltine cracker. I guess that's what happens when it's 85 degrees out and humidity is only at ten percent.
- While I know why they split up the vehicles into three groups for practice, it's kind of a shame. You have to choose between seeing a different set of vehicles or seeing a different area of the track. I chose to stick with the same group since I wanted to follow the battle between Millen and Tajima.
- The spectators here are insane. There are basically no rules for where you can or can't stand, so just about anyone can stand a foot off the road while the cars fly by. Sideways. Towards a cliff.
While it couldn't top my incredible experience the previous day, the third day of practice brought plenty of excitement. The lower portion of the course has huge stretches of pavement that provide plenty of space for the drivers to fully open it up, and even more importantly, it's this section that serves as qualifying for the race. The top qualifier in the Unlimited class gets to choose when he wants to start on race day, which can be of huge importance if weather comes into play. Follow the jump to learn how the last day of practice went, whether any of the drivers think they have a chance at breaking the elusive ten minute mark and a few choice words from Millen and Tajima.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima dominates third practice session, sets qualifying record Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima dominates third practice session, sets qualifying record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the booksFiled under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing 
2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Practice Day 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery
As I headed up the Pikes Peak toll road early this morning (3:30 am to be exact) I started to doubt whether it was going to be worth it. Maybe it was the fact that I got just a little over two hours of sleep, or maybe it was the lack of oxygen, but as I passed 12,000 feet my head began to cloud-over and all I could think about was a nice, comfortable bed. It didn't help that I was driving on a mountain road in pitch black darkness at 10 mph sandwiched between a string of other cars. To make matters worse, a fierce, bitter wind greeted me as I parked the car just a few miles below the summit, and the fog was so thick I couldn't see more than a hundred feet. This was going to be miserable. What was I thinking?
And then something magical happened. As I stood shivering on the side of the road with camera in hand, a small glow appeared in the eastern sky and the fog started to lift. As more light started to brighten the area around me, the incredible beauty of the most famous mountain in America was brought forth in stunning fashion. The entire sky was lit with an orange glow, broken only by a few small clouds that looked like wispy strands of cotton. Suddenly an engine roared to life, breaking the peaceful silence, and minutes later an open-wheel racecar roared past at near-triple-digit speed, the rear end cocked out sideways and the driver applying loads of opposite lock to avoid hurling off the edge. It was amazing. Incredible. I've been to plenty of motorsports events, but this tops them all. The matchless beauty of the surroundings juxtaposed with such incredible machinery being pushed to its absolute limit is like nothing else on earth. I could have left right then and it would have all been worth it. Fortunately, I still had more than three hours of it to enjoy. Follow the jump for more impressions from the second day of testing for the 2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMonster Tajima won't be letting Millen go unchallenged at Pikes PeakFiled under: Motorsports, Suzuki 
Monster Tajima and his Suzuki SX4 hill-climb special - Click above for high-res image gallery
While Rhys Millen and his new Hyundai V8 powered Pikes Peak challenger have been getting the most attention, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima has no intention of letting Millen capture all the glory without a fight. Tajima has been the dominant force at Pikes Peak in recent years and is the current overall record holders at 10:01.408, surpassing Rod Millen's run in 2007.
Tajima is back in Colorado this week with the latest edition of his Suzuki SX4 hill-climb special. The SX4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.1-liter V6 generating 910 horsepower and 655 pound-feet of torque in a car that weighs just 2,425 pounds. Tajima has spent plenty of time in the wind-tunnel since last year's race refining the shape of his car to maximize down-force and reduce drag. It should be quite a battle on Sunday as the Tajima-Millen conflict resumes.
[Source: Suzuki]Continue reading Monster Tajima won't be letting Millen go unchallenged at Pikes Peak Monster Tajima won't be letting Millen go unchallenged at Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFull Details: Suzuki reveals 2011 SwiftFiled under: Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Suzuki 
2011 Suzuki Swift - Click above for image gallery
You know the old conundrum, "Fast car slow or slow car fast?" If you've never heard it before, it's a bit of automotive philosophy that asks on a given road, would you rather drive a Lamborghini Murcielago at five-tenths, or a 1982 Honda Prelude until the wheel-bearings shatter? And really, like the sound of one hand clapping, there is no answer. That said, the new 2011 Suzuki Swift is one slow car all of us would love to drive fast.
Check the stats: The wheelbase is nearly two-inches longer while the length has grown by almost 4 inches. The front and rear tracks are wider by a smidge -- seriously, a smidge -- 10mm front, 5mm rear. A 1.2-liter gas engine replaces the 1.3-liter from the previous Swift, but the new mill includes variable-valve technology, so while displacement is down, power is up -- 92 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque. True, that's barely enough oomph to get make it up the AMG staircase, but consider the Swift weighs half as much as most cars (the current car is just under one ton) and comes standard with a manual (automatic's an option). Sounds better now, no?
While the exterior hasn't changed much, the Swift's suit appears a bit more tailored. The big news is the interior which has borrowed some dressy, ritzed-up cues from its big brother Kizashi. Will the Swift come to our big-car loving shores? The answer is probably not, even though the Swift should get about 45 mpg and sticker under $10,000. However, Suzuki does need products, and there will be a 1.6-liter Swift Sport coming soon, so who knows?
[Source: Autocar]Full Details: Suzuki reveals 2011 Swift originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsEdmunds compiles top ten 'Dark-Horse' list of worthy overlooked vehiclesFiled under: Car Buying, Etc., Buick, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki 
Edmunds' Top 10 'Dark-Horse' cars - Click above for high-res image gallery
We all know the typical sales winners of the automotive universe. Come hell or high water, Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys will still float off of the lot. Granted, that's good news for most automakers, but at the same time, there's a wealth of under-appreciated models languishing under the beady eyes of inflatable gorillas across the country. The good people of Edmunds have taken it upon themselves to wrangle up a top 10 list of those long forgotten winners and filed them under the collective banner of "Dark-Horse" candidates. Sexy.
We're absolutely down with cars like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse, 2010 Suzuki Kizashi and the 2010 Hyundai Genesis, but the 2010 Nissan Versa has us scratching our heads. While the car is a perfectly decent little compact, the market is awash with other excellent options. Need proof? Look no further than another Edmunds Dark-Horse selection, the 2011 Ford Fiesta. We suppose that with all the hype surrounding the new Blue Oval hatchback that it can't as easily be considered a forgotten option, at least at this point. Hop the jump for the full press blast and check the gallery below for the top picks.
[Source: Edmunds]Continue reading Edmunds compiles top ten 'Dark-Horse' list of worthy overlooked vehicles Edmunds compiles top ten 'Dark-Horse' list of worthy overlooked vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsIIHS tests Lexus HS250h for rollover, Suzuki Kizashi for side-impactFiled under: Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Safety, Lexus, Suzuki, Luxury  
2010 Lexus HS 250h and 2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click above for high-res image galleries
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just wrapped up a couple more crash tests of both the Lexus HS 250h and the Suzuki Kizashi. The little luxury hybrid recently underwent both side impact and rollover testing, nabbing Good and Acceptable ratings in each category, respectively. The HS 250h has also received a Good rating in offset frontal crash testing conducted earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the Kizashi has received its first ever crash rating from IIHS. After completing rollover testing, the IIHS gave the sedan an Acceptable rating. Further testing for front and side impact crashes will be completed later on.
The IIHS awards vehicles one of four ratings based on intrusion into the passenger cell - Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor. In order for a vehicle to secure the coveted Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must score Good in all four of the institute's crash tests. Unfortunately for Lexus and Suzuki, neither vehicle is eligible in their current form for a Top Safety Pick nod.
Lexus HS 250h photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Suzuki Kizashi photos copyright (C)2009 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: IIHS]IIHS tests Lexus HS250h for rollover, Suzuki Kizashi for side-impact originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSuzuki recalls over 46,000 XL-7 and Grand Vitara SUVs due to faulty pulleysFiled under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Suzuki 
Suzuki is recalling 46,549 2006 model year Grand Vitara (shown) and 2005-2006 XL-7 SUVs for a potentially defective hydraulic power assist steering pump. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the defect involves a plastic tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt that operates the steering pump and A/C compressor. Heat stress can apparently cause said plastic to deteriorate over time, which could lead to pieces of the pulley breaking off. The broken pieces can get lodged between the pulley and drive belt, possibly dislodging the belt and making it more difficult to steer.
Owners of affected vehicles can take their XL-7 or Grand Vitara to the nearest Suzuki dealer for a free repair, where the steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley will be replaced. Hit the jump to read over the official NHTSA press release.
[Source: NHTSA]Continue reading Suzuki recalls over 46,000 XL-7 and Grand Vitara SUVs due to faulty pulleys Suzuki recalls over 46,000 XL-7 and Grand Vitara SUVs due to faulty pulleys originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSuzuki reveals first images of new 2011 SwiftFiled under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Suzuki 
2011 Suzuki Swift - Click above for high-res image gallery
Suzuki has just dropped the first official photos of the new third generation Swift compact that goes on sale in Europe this Fall. The new hatch gets a slight smaller, but more powerful 1.2-liter inline-four that generates 93 horsepower thanks to variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. The manual transmission model now has a rating of 47 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 116 grams per kilometer. That's 6.5 mpg better than the outgoing model.
The new Swift spans an extra two inches between the axles and 3.5 inches overall. Even with that extra size, the Swift is still a whopping 9.5 inches shorter than the Ford Fiesta hatchback, but it splits the difference between the standard Mini Cooper and the Clubman. Unfortunately, at this point we know of no plans for Suzuki to offer the Swift in the American market. In fact if the surprisingly good Kizashi doesn't start gaining some traction in the market, the brand as a whole might not be around in the States for much longer.
[Source: Suzuki]Continue reading Suzuki reveals first images of new 2011 Swift Suzuki reveals first images of new 2011 Swift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSuzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concernFiled under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Suzuki 
2010 Suzuki Equator - Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the Suzuki Equator - the overlooked, rebadged version of the Nissan Frontier that went on sale in early 2009? There hasn't been much to talk about the slow-selling Fronquator, but now a recall involving vehicles manufactured between November 2009 and March 2010 (a whopping total of 582 units) brings the little truck into the front of our minds again.
According to the official recall statement from NHTSA, the Equator's lower control link bushing collars may not contain welds that meet strength specifications, which can alter the wheel alignment over time. The safety recall is taking place as you read this, and dealers will replace one or both lower control links if necessary. The full details are available in NHTSA's statement, after the jump.
[Source: NHTSA]Continue reading Suzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concern Suzuki recalls 2010 Equator pickups over suspension concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsKBB names coolest cars under $18k... do you agree?Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Crossover, Hatchback, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Suzuki 
Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Cars for under $18k - Click above for high-res image gallery
Being in the market for a cheap new car used to mean resigning yourself to time bombs like the Chevrolet Citation or windups like the Geo Metro or Ford Aspire, but the times, they are a-changin', and the good folk at Kelley Blue Book have worked up their very own top 10 list of cool cars for under $18,000.
Not surprisingly, the 2011 Ford Fiesta nabbed a mention thanks to its 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway EPA rating and mile-long standard feature list. Likewise, the new 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring received a spot on the list. The Korean automaker's new long roof manages 23 city and 30 mph mpg highway thanks to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The base Mitsubishi Lancer also made the cut - another 2.0-liter bruiser, the baby brother of the Evolution nabs 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Suzuki also got some love on the KBB list with its SX4. When optioned with the five-speed gearbox, the car walks away with 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Rounding out the list is the ever lovable 2010 Honda Fit. Just like the Suzuki, if you want a few more miles per tank, you'll need to opt for the manual transmission. Thusly equipped, the little Honda can 28 mpg city and up to 35 mpg highway.
Want to see what else made the list? Hit the jump or visit KBB for the whole list.
[Source: Kelley Blue Book]Continue reading KBB names coolest cars under $18k... do you agree? KBB names coolest cars under $18k... do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRendered Speculation: Suzuki SX4-based VW 'Rocktan' conjured upFiled under: Europe, Crossover, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Rumormill  According to Mibz.com, the Suzuki SX4 won't be pimped to just Fiat anymore (see: Sedici), Volkswagen is getting in on the act. Going after the small end of the market, VW is reportedly set to take advantage of its new 19.9 percent share of Suzuki and swiping the lovable little SX4 as the basis of a new model tentatively dubbed Rocktan.
Positioned as a city-sized crossover, the Rocktan theoretically slots in between the similarly tiny CrossPolo and Tiguan, though this is all unconfirmed at this point. Power will apparently not be from Suzuki, but rather from VW, likely the 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine and 1.6- and 2.0-liter TDI diesels. This could be mere grist for the rumormill, or we could soon see a Nissan Juke-sized VolkZuki. For now, all we've got are dreams of another flavor of the friendly SX4.
[Source: Mibz.com]Rendered Speculation: Suzuki SX4-based VW 'Rocktan' conjured up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe Kei to a Good Time: Pint-sized Shelby Cobra replica from JapanFiled under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Japan, Suzuki, Specialty 
Baby Cobra replica - Click above for high-res image gallery
Shelby Cobra. A mere mention of the beast is enough to send enthusiasts' hearts aflutter and cause the minds of those lucky enough to have piloted such a beast to reel with fast-paced memories. Unless, of course, you are talking about the untold gallons of fuel the (up to) 7.0-liter V8 engines of these venomous snakes guzzle.
But does it have to be that way? Is is possible to have your cake and eat it too? Well, that depends on what exactly you are looking to recreate. If you're feeling a real need for speed and nothing but a fire-breathing monster will do, we have bad news for you. But, if you just want to look like you're piloting a vintage race car, you may be in luck.
In standard form (which isn't very cheap at over $40,000 U.S. or £27,724), the so-called Baby Cobra from Japan is powered by a tiny 660cc engine (yes, that's less than a tenth of the size of the original 427 cubic incher with fewer than half as many cylinders) yanked from a Suzuki Cappuccino microcar.
A hefty options list can reportedly drive that price much higher into the stratosphere, but something tells us even the turbocharged, 720cc mill with 158 horsepower will still post significantly improved fuel efficiency over its forebearer. Yes, it's completely ridiculous... and yes, we're completely smitten with it.
Better get yours now before Shelby's crack legal team gets wind of this thing...
[Source: Baby Cobra via Auto Express]The Kei to a Good Time: Pint-sized Shelby Cobra replica from Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFirst Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport improves upon original recipeFiled under: Budget, Sedan, Suzuki, First Drive 
2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery
Miami isn't exactly a driver's town. It's a tangle of perfectly perpendicular secondary streets demarcated by lengthy stoplights and the occasional drawbridge or toll booth. Perched on the very tip of Florida, it's one of the last places we would voluntarily spend time behind the wheel, but despite the bumper-to-bumper traffic, hair-raising lane changes and lawless nature of the traffic patterns, high-end metal is the norm down here.
We're fighting for our right to merge against a Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari F430 and a murdered-out Nissan GT-R as we make our way toward South Beach, contemplating the implications of dinging a car worth more than our mortgage when it dawns on us: The high rollers around us should make way - we're driving one of the most unique cars in the country.
Suzuki was kind enough to hand us the keys to one of the only Kizashi Sport models in existence. In fact, this is the same prototype that took center stage at the New York Auto Show, and while the suits in Japan have demanded that this Sport eventually meet with the Great Crusher in the Sky, the company's PR team have managed to keep the sedan from meeting its untimely fate long enough for us to do battle with traffic.
Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport improves upon original recipe First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport improves upon original recipe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Suzuki boosts Kizashi sedan's performance with turbocharger, Tommy Kendall spools it upFiled under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Suzuki 
2010 Suzuki Kizashi Turbo Concept - Click above to watch video after the jump
Suzuki took a pretty big gamble by only offering its new Kizashi with a fuel-thrifty 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. While the mill produces a respectable 185 horsepower, it falls well short of the numbers available from its V6-clad competition. To address that situation, the company has partnered with Road Race Motorsports to develop a Kizashi Turbo Concept. The aftermarket company worked in a Mitsubishi 16 G turbo coupled with a Road Race Motorsports intercooler and a handful of other goodies to help up the power to a much more respectable 290 horses.
As evidenced by the video that you'll find after the break, the car will get its debut on Test Drive on SpeedTV. So far, there's no indication as to whether or not Kizashi buyers will be able to opt for the new turbo system from the dealer, or how much it will cost from Road Race Motorsports.
Either way, the fact that buyers can get a little more pep from their Suzuki should help move the sedans off of dealer lots and into driveways. Check your local listings for more information on Test Drive, see our high-res image gallery below and follow the jump for the press release and video.
[Source: Suzuki, SpeedTV]Continue reading Video: Suzuki boosts Kizashi sedan's performance with turbocharger, Tommy Kendall spools it up Video: Suzuki boosts Kizashi sedan's performance with turbocharger, Tommy Kendall spools it up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 May 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsCars.com hosts eight-car family sedan shootout with surprising resultsFiled under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota 
Midsize sedans don't have it easy anymore. In addition to packing tons of features (technology, safety, comfort) into a relatively affordable package, these vehicles have to be relatively good to drive, functional and not too bad on the eyes. We've seen all sorts of family sedan comparisons, and now Cars.com dishes up its own eight-car test, featuring the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Suzuki Kizashi, Mazda6 and new Hyundai Sonata.
The eight sedans were not only tested by members of the Cars.com team, but by an actual family of four in an attempt to see what real-world drivers look for the most. The "real family" is comprised of Ben and Jill Tiernan of Los Angeles, as well as their two children, an infant and a toddler. The family drove the cars on highways and city roads, and took their time poking and prodding through the cabins of each tester. Ben and Jill's notes were also compiled and included in the end result data, with father Ben liking the Kizashi the best, while wife Jill raised her hand for the Camry.
What's more, the overall question of fuel economy was put into greater focus. Efficiency is one of the strongest selling points in this segment, and it's no secret that automakers tout the highway mileage numbers of these cars in an effort to attract buyers. Cars.com went a step above - not only noting the EPA estimated fuel economy, but recording what the cars' trip computers displayed, as well as calculating the actual at-the-pump fuel economy. The Hyundai Sonata's 35 mpg might be the highest number on monroney labels, but in the actual calculations, the Ford Fusion's 32.1 observed mpg trumps the recorded 27.8 mpg in the Sonata.
What's most interesting, though, are the end results. We won't spoil the final findings, but it's important to note that the Ford Fusion - a car which has garnered a ton of praise (Motor Trend Car of the Year, etc.) - came in dead last amongst the group, with the Chevrolet Malibu not falling very far behind. On top of that, Toyota's Camry is usually the top pick in these tests (Motor Trend would agree), but it doesn't take first place honors here. How does the well-received Honda Accord fare in all of this? What about newcomers Sonata and Kizashi? Read the full results for yourself at Cars.com.
[Source: Cars.com]Cars.com hosts eight-car family sedan shootout with surprising results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSuzuki re-starts the free gas spiff, extends offer to full model rangeFiled under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Suzuki 
2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click above for high-res image gallery
Last year, Suzuki offered its "Free Gas for Summer" promotion on SX4 Sport and Crossover models. Apparently, it was a bit of a success, since the automaker is not only reviving this campaign, but is spreading the promotion across its full model range (Kizashi, Grand Vitara, Equator and SX4 models). Since fuel prices commonly rise in the summer months, we can see many shoppers becoming excited about any promotion that involves free fuel, and with the hot new Kizashi just now hitting dealers, this incentive could indeed boost sales of the hot new midsize sedan.
Customers who purchase a new Suzuki vehicle between May 1st and August 31st will receive a pre-paid debit card which should, theoretically, pay for one summer's worth of fuel. The pre-paid cards range in value from $280 to $442, and are calculated based on the vehicle's EPA fuel economy estimates, and on the Federal Highway Administration's estimated average of 1,000 miles driven per month. Still, even if owners exceed this mileage, having a couple hundred bucks in free gas is nothing to be upset about. The full details are available in Suzuki's press release, after the jump.
Photos by John Neff / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Suzuki]Continue reading Suzuki re-starts the free gas spiff, extends offer to full model range Suzuki re-starts the free gas spiff, extends offer to full model range originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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