2008 Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Suzuki is a brand that's poised for big growth, and this is the vehicle that's

Suzuki's Kizashi 3 will be Suzuki's new family sedan. You've got to admit, it looks pretty good. (Photo: Suzuki)

going to help kick the company's sales into high gear, particularly here in North America.

Over the past twelve months, Suzuki has released a series of concept cars under the Kizashi nameplate, numbered 1, 2, and 3. Each was designed with a particular market in mind, drawing from market trends and tastes, using different types of motors and vastly different body styles. The bottom line is that the Kizashi 3, the sedan variant which was shown in New York a week ago, is the closest concept to a forthcoming production model expected to arrive sometime in 2010.

Over the previous two generations, the Kizashi has morphed from a dramatic looking show car into a vehicle that's feasible, and fit for production. The biggest changes have occurred at the front of the car, where the flowing, gloss-black grille and downward spearing headlamps of the previous concepts are switched for a more conventional setup. Don't, however, mistake conventionality for boring, as the Kizashi 3 is one of the nicest looking sedans presented in quite some time. It's a tasteful looking

The body is simple, yet through its flared fenders and wide track, muscular. (Photo: Suzuki)

machine, and if Suzuki's promise of this car being near production can be relied upon, it isn't hard to picture this vehicle on the road with slimmer fender flares and smaller non-21-inch wheels. It certainly creates a much stronger impression than Suzuki's last non-compact sedan, the mostly forgettable Korean-made Verona (aka Daewoo Evanda).

Because the Kizashi 3 is well proportioned, it doesn't look nearly as small as it actually is. In terms of its physical dimensions, it measures just 15.2 feet in length, which is significantly smaller than your average midsize sedan, yet larger than a compact car. Even against typically smaller European and Japanese compact luxury sedans, there isn't a close match short of Saab's 9-3. It's bigger than a 3-Series, yet smaller than an Acura TSX. And yet, because Suzuki has stretched the wheelbase to a hardly believable 9.2 feet, which is equal to the new Accord, the Kizashi should have no shortage of room in the cabin;

Looks good from this angle. And, since it's got a 300-hp V6 under its hood, this is an angle that quite a few cars will be seeing. (Photo: Suzuki)

that is, when they create an inside. So far the Kizashi 3 is more or less a styling exercise, with no images of the interior made available. Nevertheless, Suzuki says that the car will be positioned as a near-luxury alternative, so expect plenty of content and a higher level of quality than we've seen from the brand before. With two years between now and the expected arrival of the production car, there's even enough time for another Kizashi concept... with a cabin.

Not a whole lot is known about the Kizashi's underpinnings including its chassis architecture however, if it's able to capture the same driving dynamics as the European Swift or the SX4, which shouldn't be too much of a problem, then the road-going version should be one of the better driving cars in its class. The concept car is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 that incorporates plated cylinders, designed to save weight. Essentially, this engine has been carried over from the Kizashi 2 Concept and makes more than 300 horsepower, which should make for a fairly quick car. This engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Due to an electronically controlled all wheel drive system, it shouldn't have any problem getting the power to all four wheels. While 300 horsepower isn't out of the question for a production model, it's more likely that the road-going Kizashi will be powered by a less powerful version of this engine with around 260 or 270 horsepower, and quite possibly

Besides committing to new product, the Kizashi launches a new look for the brand. (Photo: Suzuki)

a four-cylinder engine for entry-level trim levels. Kizashis sold in Europe will be offered with diesel power. Who knows, with a great number of automakers pursuing clean diesel technology, we may also see a diesel-powered Kizashi on this continent.

Last year, Suzuki commented that the brand would be taking the Kizashi around the world, and would mold the model lineup around the preceding concept cars. There will be a sedan (as seen here), a station wagon, as well as a crossover vehicle. While Suzuki currently has the XL-7 crossover, we could see the Kizashi crossover either replacing it, or if it's a five-seater, bolstering the brand's lineup. Either way it's a significantly important vehicle for the Japanese brand. One insight as to just how important the Kizashi will be points to a brand new production facility designed to house the new midsize model. The site is located in Sagara, Japan.

Suzuki says that the Kizashi was inspired by the brand's performance heritage in motorcycles and on the world rally circuit, and while the technology seems to come more from the marketing department rather than the engineering team, the Kizashi certainly presents itself as a sporty vehicle, which is refreshing to see from up and coming sedans. If you tend to buy midsize four-door sedans, this is one car you'll definitely want to keep an eye out for.