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Kizashi honoured as COTY finalist

Suzuki’s ground-breaking medium sedan, the Kizashi 2.4 SDLX Manual, has been selected as on of the 10 finalists for the 2012 Car of the Year award.

The award is presented annually by the South African Guild Of Motoring Journalists after a stringent selection and testing process.

Kizashi is Japanese for ‘something great is coming’ – an apt description of a car that breaks new ground for the Suzuki marque, both locally and globally, and represents Suzuki’s first foray into the highly competitive C/D medium sedan segment.

It links the spacious accommodation, convenience and security of a larger four-door sedan to the tactile quality, comprehensive standard features and dynamic appeal that Suzuki’s more compact models have become renowned for.

While the Kizashi has already become a significant player in markets such as Australia, Japan and the US, it only made its SA debut in August this year.

The new sedan reflects both European-style design and authentic Japanese craftsmanship. The result is powerful, head-turning styling that expresses both dynamic prowess and refinement. Inside, the emphasis is on a contemporary layout, smart finishes and an upmarket ambience.

The Kizashi 2.4 SDLX is powered by a 2,4-litre four-cylinder engine credited with 131 kW at 6 500 r/min, together with a torque peak of 230 Nm at 4 000 r/min. It drives the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

While the result is sprightly and responsive performance, the Kizashi also fares well at the fuel pumps, returning a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7,9 litres/100 km. CO2 emissions come to 186 g/km.

“The Kizashi represents new territory for Suzuki, and we are delighted that its inherent qualities have been recognised by the members of the SAGMJ,” says Kazuyuki Yamashita, managing director of Suzuki Auto SA.

“Suzuki has a superb track record in the SA Car Of The Year competition, and so far, every one of our passenger car models has been honoured with finalist status. We are convinced that the unique combination of virtues offered by the Kizashi will make it a strong contender for victory in the 2012 competition.”