Suzuki details 2010 SEMA plans

Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special - Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki has announced its plans for this week's 2010 SEMA show. The automaker is bringing three cars out to the Las Vegas convention center: A Kizashi modified by Delta Tech Engineering, an Equator pickup truck customized by ICON Vehicle Dynamics, and the salt flats-blasting, 203-mph Kizashi Bonneville Special.

The Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special is a joint effort between American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Road & Track, to capture the blown gas coupe record out at the salt flats. The record did indeed fall when the Kizashi, driven by R&T's Sam Mitani, hit an average speed of 203.720 mph.

Delta Tech is known for lightening cars, and it did just that to its SEMA-bound sedan by gutting the interior and body shell, then putting it back together with components to keep the weight down. Underhood, interior, and exterior modifications result in a Suzuki Kizashi that's ready to tackle the track but can still be driven home afterward.

ICON Vehicle Dynamics' Suzuki Equator pickup features a beefed-up motor, lifted and upgraded suspension, plus added lighting for nighttime trail running. The ICON Equator is a mean off-roader with an aggressive stance and menacing black paint job. We can't wait to lay eyes on it in person.

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[Source: Suzuki]

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Oct 28, 2010 03:01 America/Los_Angeles

Bright Lights of Las Vegas Strip Shine on Suzuki at 2010 SEMA Show

-- Record-breaking 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special, Delta Tech Kizashi and ICON Vehicle Dynamics Equator race into Sin City.

-- Suzuki SEMA Vehicle Locator: Kizashi Bonneville Special - Pavilion Walkway at the Rio Las Vegas Hotel & Casino; Delta Tech Kizashi - SEMA booth #22912 Main Hall; ICON Vehicle Dynamics Equator - Outside


BREA, Calif., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh off an exciting summer that included an intercontinental journey from Tokyo to Los Angeles and a record-breaking run at Bonneville with its Kizashi sport sedan, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) arrives at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association with an assortment of concept, modified production and specialty vehicles.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special

Piloting ASMC's modified 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special, Road & Track's Sam Mitani injected the Kizashi into the record books with his 203.720 mph run at this year's Bonneville Speed Week, exceeding the previous record of 202.301 mph. The 203.720 mph record was achieved by calculating the average of a two-way pass at 8:40 a.m. MT on August 18, 2010.

Beginning with interior safety and instrument modifications, the Kizashi Bonneville Special underwent several refinements to make it salt-ready. Once the work was completed, the build team, Advanced Product Engineering's Richard Holdener, Tom Habrzyk and Scott Bailey, installed an SCTA-approved roll cage, an aluminum bulkhead in the rear, racing seat, seat harnesses and window net. Next, it was time to take a look under the hood. The motor was disassembled to confirm the stock measurements, while the cylinder head was flowed and ported. The Kizashi Bonneville racer benefits from a new intake manifold, a tuned 'long tube' header and forged rods and pistons for high rpm endurance.

With up to 16 pounds of boost from a Turbonetics turbocharger, the Kizashi's increased horsepower required air-to-water intercooling (and snow water/methanol injection) – while its increased output demands a new ACT clutch and pressure plate. A scattershield is added, the oil pan is welded for a new drain fitting and a new 3.5-inch exhaust is fabricated aft of the turbocharger. Additional protection for the high-boost, high-rpm turbo motor is provided by full synthetic 5W-20 racing oil from Lucas Oil.

The Kizashi platform is morphed into a salt-specific recipe with new coilovers, steel wheels seam welded, and speed-specific 15x7-inch Goodyear Front Runner® rubber. An air dam keeps the Kizashi's nose planted, window straps and hood pins ensure the hood and glass stay in place, and a parachute can bring the high speed show to a controlled and shortened stop. Finally, a dual fire system provides the extra assurance so important for Mitani, with more than 500 boosted horses but only a few feet in front of his high-speed capsule.

Delta Tech Engineering Kizashi

Delta Tech Engineering, a specialist in vehicle lighting, started with a gutted – and lightened – Kizashi body shell. While Delta Tech took care of under the hood, with cold air intake and performance exhausts, RK Sport developed a body kit, Katzkin supplied the custom seating, and Koni enhanced the Kizashi's already composed ride with its own coilovers and shocks. Lighting, engineered in house by Delta Tech, is LED and HID. Sound equipment upgrades are provided by a Kenwood head unit and Rockford Fosgate amplification. The Delta Tech Engineering Kizashi is on display in Main Hall #22912.

ICON Vehicle Dynamics Equator

Using Suzuki's award-winning Equator platform as its base, ICON Vehicle Dynamics taps into a variety of Southern California-based suppliers to assemble a more aggressive interpretation of Suzuki's off-road recipe. Under the hood, Doug Thorley long-tube headers and cat-back exhaust amplify the Equator's class-leading 4.0 liter V6. And for off-road exploration, the Equator's suspension is enhanced with ICON's own performance coilovers in front and 2.5-inch piggyback shocks supporting linked to Total Chaos upper control arms. The enhanced power – and capability – is connected to the less-traveled path with Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires mounted to Trail Ready bead-lock wheels; the Equator's bodywork is protected by Bushwacker fender flares. AMP Research bed extender and LightForce lights add to both utility and safety. The ICON Vehicle Dynamics Equator will be displayed in the outside vendor area.

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