2008 New York Auto Show: Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3

• Looks like: Kizashi 1 + Kizashi 2 = Kizashi 3
• Defining characteristics: Audilike grille, GM V-6 engine
• Ridiculous features: Tiny side mirrors, giant wheels, concept-car headlights and taillights
• Chance of being mass-produced: Definite, though not exactly in the form shown here

Following the Concept Kizashi 1 and Kizashi 2 from last year's Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows comes the Kizashi 3, which shares elements from both of the earlier cars and looks more like a real product. No coincidence there; Suzuki says the Kizashi 3 is on its way to becoming a real product. It will debut in Japan, where Suzuki says pre-production versions are already built. It is planned for the U.S. as a 2010 model.

The show car looks quite large, but the Kizashi 3 is technically a midsize sedan. The deep grille looks like yet another copy of Audi's new design direction, complete with a chrome cross-member. The car's a bit snub-nosed, similar to the Toyota Camry with which it would compete. The 21-inch wheels and tiny side mirrors are auto-show-only, but Suzuki says the concept is 90-95% of what the real product will look like — bold stuff. The interior is a mystery, because the concept's isn't representative and wasn't on display.

The car shown has all-wheel drive, based on front-wheel-drive architecture that Suzuki claims as its own even though it started its life as GM's Epsilon platform when the U.S. manufacturer owned roughly half of Suzuki. The car is powered by GM's relatively new 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6, which also appears in the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu, to name two models. It produces 300 hp here. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with paddle shifting.

Check out more photos below and let us know if you think Suzuki is ready to take on the Camry and Accord.

Comments

[Brian E]

If the car really has AWD and 300HP and looks like that, Suzuki's back in the game in a big way. The SX-4's a neat little hatch, but Suzuki's car stable is otherwise looking a little thin these days. The SX-4 is also quite nice for an econobox on the inside, though the newer SUVs have had generic GM parts-bin interiors.

Off topic, but can you take some pictures of the Volvo C30 R-Design while you're there? Ian takes some of the best auto pictures I've ever seen (way better than Autoblog and Jalopnik) and the pictures at Autoblog just aren't doing a good job of showing me how it's different from that standard C30.

[Infosaur]

I remember when people were saying the Audi grill would never fly, that it was the return of the Edsel.

Seems like the "signature of the early 21st century" to me.

[Heath M.]

The Kizashi will be what puts Suzuki on the same playing field as Toyota and Honda. I can't wait to check it out for myself. The Truck coming out later this year will help Suzuki broaden it's horizons as well.