Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Suzuki is (slowly) moving up with a medium sized car called the Kizashi due to go into production late next year.

The Suzuki Kizashi 3 concept and its predecessors look like they rolled off the set of a futuristic movie. They have the stately brawn of cars from the decade of poodle skirts and drive-in movies, but details that look to the future. They make a bold statement - which is good, since Suzuki could use a bold statement.

Unlike the earlier Suzuki Kizashi concepts, the Kizashi 3 is a near-production sport sedan. (The previous two, the Kizashi and the Kizashi 2 were a wagon and a CUV.) Kizashi is the Japanese word for "preview," and that's exactly the purpose that this concept is intended to serve. Suzuki intends to launch a sport sedan based on the Kizashi 3 by 2010, and the concept gives us a taste of what's to come. The auto maker hopes that we'll view this sport sedan as an affordable gateway into the near-luxury segment. It represents a step in a pretty up scale direction from a manufacturer that has traditionally focused its efforts in humbler segments.

Suzuki says that the Kizashi 3 offers a blend of sporty handling and driver comfort. The explosive muscularity of the car's hood suggests that there's lots of horsepower teeming under the hood, and a streamlined visage points to superior aerodynamics. The performance message is driven home by the Suzuki Kizashi's aggressive profile, large wheels and wide track.

The Suzuki Kizashi's motivation comes courtesy of a 3.6-liter DOHC V6. This engine features cylinders plated with a high-tech finish, a weight-reducing technology with its origins in research done by Suzuki's motorcycle and WRC teams. The Kizashi 3 seats five, and can accommodate both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Its 300 horsepower is sent to the wheels by a six-speed automatic transmission, and shift paddles on the steering wheel emphasize the Suzuki Kizashi's sport sedan character. It rides on 21-inch cast-aluminum wheels and wears a color known as (what else?) Kizashi Silver.

Suzuki is currently building a new assembly facility in Sagara, Japan, and this car will be built there once construction is complete. Suzuki also intends for all three Kizashi concepts to serve as the blueprints for a future line of flagship vehicles.

The Suzuki Kizashi 3 concept looks better than anything Suzuki has put out in years. Let's hope its edgy looks don't get too watered down in the production process.