• Howick and Botany Times LAVISHLY EQUIPPED: With its bold centre console, premium grade controls and well shaped seats, the refined interior offers an up-market feel. Photos supplied.
New Zealand is one of the first markets to offer the front-wheel-drive model which was five years in development. The four-door sedan is aimed at the premium market, with Suzuki comparing it to well-established European brands.
“We aimed for Kizashi to deliver excitement throughout the driving experience and saw our benchmark as models from Audi and BMW,” says the Kizashi concept chief programme engineer.
Independently acclaimed by Time magazine as one of the most exciting new cars of 2010, the Kizashi is Suzuki’s first entry into the mid-size D-segment category, which currently comprises 11 per cent of the local new car market.
Producing 131kW of power at 6500 rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, the 2.4-litre engine has a typical fuel consumption figure of 7.9 litres/100 km.
Two versions are offered locally: GLX and a flagship LTD.
All Kizashi models have dual zone climate air conditioning with pollen filter, steering wheel mounted audio
controls, footwell lights, keyless entry and start, and a Rockford Fosgate developed seven-speaker audio system.
All CVT automatic transmission models also include cruise control.
LTD grade versions add larger diameter wheels, front fog lamps, leather upholstery, electric operation for both front seats, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, eight speaker audio, sunroof, photochromatic rear vision mirror, self-levelling high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and front and rear parking assist.
Six airbags, including head protecting side curtain airbags, three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiting, anti-locking braking (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and ESP stability control with traction control are standard across the range.
“This is the most lavishly equipped Suzuki ever offered in New Zealand,” said Tom Peck, general manager of marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.
The GLX with six-speed manual transmission is $35,990, rising to $37,990 for the CVT automatic transmission.
In LTD form, Kizashi CVT automatic is $42,990.
