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Detroit, 10:31 AM
Tue Nov 24
24 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/16/09
Leave it to Suzuki to fill the small midsize sedan vacuum created by all the other import automakers taking steroids. Kudos...or I should say, Suzukdos.
My only qualm is the final design looks a bit too...careful. Like it went through one too many committees. I'll bet a couple owners will black out that space between the upper and lower grilles to create the Audi effect. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
10/16/09
10/16/09
This car is pretty much Suzuki's last hope as their sales and profits have been drying up. Shudda-cudda-wuuda, they needed this car about three years ago. #conceptcars
10/16/09
sensuous? #conceptcars
10/16/09
10/16/09
10/16/09
10/16/09
CVT trannies belong in hybrids and other econoshitboxes. Nowhere else. #conceptcars
10/16/09
10/16/09
No thanks.
I don't care what the peak HP figures are the GSX-R or the Hayabusa, they just wouldn't make good engines for a car. The HP that they do produce is too high in the rev range to be easily accessed, and they don't put out nearly enough torque for a Fit-sized car that weighs 2800 lbs.
So can we please dispel the notion of putting motorcycle engines in modern cars? An old Kei car? Sure. A modern car of any size? It just doesn't work. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
I have faith that with the right gearing, it would be within reach of current technology. Of course it might need be tuned for torque instead of horsepower numbers at 16000 rpm, but still, lets say they could get 100lb/ft and a redline of 10,000 rpm. Yes, this car would have to be light as hell, but it'd be a niche car that wouldn't sell much volume anyway.
And even if they couldn't do that, at least they could make cars with engines comparable to Honda's hp/liter figures. I'm sure we can agree on that. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
At some point, rationality bows to self-respect. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
I happen to think suzuki has three winners on their hands. As awkward as the SX4 is, it's an extremely practical, affordable and solid car. The new Suzuki Swift is (what I think) a good looking car for its segment, and while I don't know its capabilities, I'll assume it is the usual Suzuki affair. (which isn't bad.) Honestly, if the swift was out when I got my car, I probably would have gotten that instead. Finally, add this handsome, practical Kizashi to the mix and Suzuki has potential go grow further, which I'm happy for them. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
10/16/09
For that matter, the Malibu is about the same price, and made in the US. I tend to vote with my wallet, so why wouldn't I go with that?
A new base Fusion is even cheaper. If I wanted to spend about the same money, I could option up to more power and maybe AWD if I wanted to dig a little deeper still. Or if I wanted to drop the AWD money but keep the economy, I could get the Hybrid and run it forever on the tears of Arab oil sheiks. Why wouldn't I go for that?
I like Suzukis. I thought the Tracker and Samurai were absolute hoots, the Sprint Turbo was, in the words of one auto mag, a "berserkoid four-wheel motorcycle." I know they're smart and can build good cars. But the Trackers and Metros and what-all else, aside from being hoots, don't have great reputations. Until that changes, I'll stick with the stuff listed above. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
Also, for "Built in America" thin, the Kizashi is based off the same Epsilon II platform that the Malibu is, so while I don't know exactly where it is being built, there is certainly a chance that it is built here considering the platform. Does anyone know where this is being built? #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
I know about the Fusion pricing. If I'm going to dump that kind of cash on a car (which I won't), I would probably dig deeper to go higher into the range. That's what I'm saying. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
10/16/09
This looks like the SX4's chubby, less athletic sister. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
スズキ、万歳！！！
This can be their foray into the "Beat the Camry" competition!
And for all you Suzuki lovers, Hail the Swift Sport! We need that here more than before!!!! #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
10/16/09
10/16/09
Anyone else still not quite used to such figures after a nearly decade-long horsepower war? #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
Naming the Jetta as a major competitor, 185 HP + 0-60 in 7.5 sec in the base model, and seeing the word 'underpowered' does still surprise me. But I'm still stuck in the eighties, and used to sub-1000 kg midsized cars which only accelerated like a GTI with the largest engine option.
I recently drove a manual Jetta hatch (=golf) with a manual and 56 HP. Slow, yes. Dull, yes. But fast enough for a comuter. And great mileage. Do you really need 7.5 sec 0-60 in a base model appliance? #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
10/16/09
Sounds great. But in the real world you have to make compromises, unless you built something extreme like an Ariel Atom or a supercar. It seems to me the compromise with this base engine is skewed towards performance. 31 mpg highway with a brand new car this size with the base engine is really terrible, to me. I did about 40 mpg highway (120 km/h) with a (gasoline!) car of almost the same size with 25-year-old technology.
I really do enjoy a fast car, for weekends etc. But when commuting I gladly sacrifice some acceleration for better fuel economy. Especially with gasoline costing about $7 or $8 a gallon over here. It puts money in my pocket I could spend on the weekend-car or something more sensible, without compromising on ride quality, practicality or reliability. I bet if they made this Suzy with a similar engine with less HP and a 0-60 time of 10 seconds, it would have significantly better mpg. I would guess Americans would be interested in an economy OPTION like that, even with the relatively low fuel prices you guys have.
[/long boring rant] #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
I'd still take the SX4, but if this turns out to be reasonably reliable, I'll start recommending it to folks wanting commuter and small-family sedans. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
Also, Kizashi sounds like a healthy breakfast cereal. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
10/16/09
@aniteshj: No, I agree, nothing wrong with a 4 - my parentals have an I4 Sonata, and it's adequate, even with ~165hp. I was just suggesting the market's ready for no V6 option (although, as @Chike Ujuagu pointed out, it's on its way).
Although, I don't think the plastic wheel arches on the SX4 were gouging necessarily (they're not available on the sedan, and you can get the hatch with them painted for 2010) - I think it's going for the Subaru Outback effect. #suzukikizashi
10/16/09
The hardest part of owning this car would be explaining to everyone what a Kizashi is.
I feel silly just typing it, let alone saying it. #suzukikizashi