Click image for hi-res gallery of the Suzuki Kizashi
Hyundai is quickly proving with its Genesis luxury sedan that a lower-end Asian automaker can play in the V8-powered big leagues, and if the reports are to be believed, Suzuki wants in. The Japanese carmaker's Kizashi concepts, unveiled in Frankfurt and Tokyo last year, proved popular enough for Suzuki to move ahead with production plans and target a late 2009 roll-out. But before it settles on what form the production version will take, Suzuki is reportedly preparing a third iteration to show at the New York Auto Show in March, and this one will be powered by a V8 driving all four wheels, compared to its turbodiesel and V6 predecessors. Whether there's any truth to the reports will become evident as we weave through Manhattan traffic towards the Javits Center, so stay tuned.
[Source: AutoTelegraaf via Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
calebe @ Jan 30th 2008 1:11PM
I liked the first concept for the most part. The number#2 not so much. As long as this is an inhouse Suzuki product and not a GM/Daewoo I think it is a good idea. Suzuki really does need a large car for the US market. When the Verona was pulled,(for good reason) that left a hole in their line up.
Ben H. @ Jan 30th 2008 1:12PM
This will give Infiniti a run for its money!
Ligor @ Jan 30th 2008 1:51PM
right
casue those people that think infiniti will come by a suzuki dealer
Hyundai might be on somethig with the Genesis, but they have been working hard and improving for years now,
suzuki sells like 55 cars per year here so to think they will come and take on infiniti overnight is a bit naive
FThorn @ Jan 30th 2008 1:21PM
Great. Just what the greenies want. more bigger badder nastier internal combustion filth-spewing cars.
I LIKE IT.
Menice @ Jan 30th 2008 1:24PM
Su-freaking-zuki
where'd they pull that out of?
stefan @ Jan 30th 2008 1:35PM
Its probably gonna use a toyota V8.
Frylock350 @ Mar 13th 2008 7:47AM
It'll be a GM V8 if anything.
Blake @ Jan 30th 2008 1:39PM
Might just be me, but I see a lot of the Buick Riviera Concept there...
Blake @ Jan 30th 2008 1:39PM
...On the original (red) concept anyway.
Andrew @ Jan 30th 2008 2:06PM
So that's what you get when you mix the concept Lincoln grill with a concept Cadillac grill - ugly
Playdrv4me @ Jan 30th 2008 2:25PM
What has Hyundai proven? The Genesis isn't even available yet.
I admire and respect Hyundai, but the only thing they've proven is their ability to take risks, it doesn't mean the thing is gonna sell.
Franz @ Jan 30th 2008 2:55PM
I like it.
Andre @ Jan 30th 2008 3:12PM
I wish for once a company would have the balls to flat out make their concept cars a production model that is 100% of the original concept, This car is swooping in design I looove it!!
500 @ Jan 30th 2008 3:12PM
With the Big 3 all apparently cancelling V8 programs, looks like the Korean and Japanese automakers will be eating up their market share more than ever.
FSM @ Jan 30th 2008 3:26PM
Damn
and I thought the Chrysler 300 was a gangsta mobile. This will be involved in a whole lot of gang banging.
j_diesel @ Jan 30th 2008 4:30PM
i think it looks great. suzuki traditionally has fuel efficent cars so i'd expect a slightly more efficient and smaller V-8 from them, say, no more than 4.5L. i think it would take some people by surprise if it was built and had good quality materials in and out.
Rene Curry @ Jan 30th 2008 5:45PM
Lincoln+Malibu+Lexus = The Limale
gary @ Jan 30th 2008 7:05PM
They should leave the car designing to the Italians.
vwboyaf1 @ Jan 30th 2008 11:59PM
Their bikes are very nice, They make a lot of nice small vans in Japan, but their stateside vehicles are just rebadged GM products. Why do they think they can skip building midsize cars and go straight to luxury barges? An exercise in design and nothing more.