Maruti Suzuki Kizashi is the latest attempt by Suzuki to launch itself into the sedan segment. The company is aiming at maintaining its sporty image owing to its motorcycles that command a good market share. Maruti Suzuki Kizashi means “coming up of something great” which is in line with the company’s aspirations. The sedan is a product of in-house engineering and designing by Suzuki.
Director of product planning, Steve Younan gave a synopsis on Maruti Suzuki Kizashi. Suzuki has raised its bar this time and its Maruti Suzuki Kizashi is targeted to compete with Volkwagon Passat, Acuta TSX and Alfa Romeo 159. That meant responsive handling, good steering and captivating performance at the same time withholding quality ride experience. The end result is dampers with high performance, multi link rear suspension, high-end akebono brakes and 18-inch wide wheels. A lot of unofficial spy shots of Maruti Suzuki Kizashi have been seen over the past year. It is now awaited to see if Maruti Suzuki Kizashi lives up to its expectations.
One look under its hood, we spot a refined engine with a 2.4 Litre capacity with four-cylinder giving high-output complimented with Variable Valve Timing (VVT Technology). Power of the car can be transmitted thought CVT Transmission or six-speed manual transmission, whereas CVT Transmission comes with the standard paddle shifters. The Maruti Suzuki Kizashi comes with eight standard airbags which provides a stable control and it also meets the side impact 2014 pole test. It has been understood that it has an optimized stability control which provides a first-class performance without being invasive. An option added in the sedan is an integrated system of all wheel drive to enhance the stability control. A hybrid version of Maruti Suzuki Kizashi is underway but it will be uncovered only after its gas powered model hits the markets. It is also heard that a V6 model is also in the offing.
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi’s statistics that makes it smaller than its ideals Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are a 183-inch overall length and width measuring 72-inch supported on a 107-inches long wheel-base. The figures for power and expected mileage will be under wraps until this fall when it goes on sale but expected figures are 30 mpg on a highway drive and ranging between 180-200 hp on city roads.
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi has gone for an upscale interior with standard sporty seating. The designing is well executed and neat and should make the buyers of these high end models comfortable. Despite of providing so many features, Suzuki is planning to make its sedan more affordable with its prices ranging between 17k$ till 23k$ which is the same category as mainstream models such as Mazda and Camry.
It is still too early to predict whether Suzuki’s Maruti Suzuki Kizashi proves to be a smash hit or a bummer. What makes it difficult to predict is that Kazashi is pitted against more evolved and establishes brands in the mid-sized sedan segment, who always keep evolving their existing models and do not sticking to their established models so as to provide their buyers a “luxurious” feel at amazingly affordable prices. Hopefully Kazashi has the elements that set it apart from the rest of the cars in that segment else Suzuki’s dreams of entering the most contested segment of cars will fail to see the daylight.
Disclaimer: We are not associated, affiliated, or connected with Maruti Suzuki India or Suzuki Global by any means.