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Suzuki's Accord killer unveiled

Suzuki has unveiled its keenly awaited Accord rival, the all-wheel drive Kizashi.

Designed primarily with the American market in mind, Suzuki’s new four-door saloon boasts a signature front end (oversized grille and headlights) and peculiarly curvaceous rump, with attractively shaped ellipsoid dual exhausts.

Dimensionally the new Suzuki is 4.65m long and 1.83m wide, which makes it a touch more compact than Toyota’s Camry or Honda’s Accord Stateside.


Test mule (liveried in oddly symmetrical, instead of disrupted pattern, vinyl) during suspension validation testing at the 'Ring.

Designed to be driven
 
Beyond the neat styling, technical specifications are impressive - this is not your stock front-wheel drive, torsion beam rear suspension Japanese four-door appliance.

Kizashi is independently suspended at all four wheel corners (struts up front, multi-links at the rear) and features Nurburgring certified dampers.

A further dynamic boon is all-wheel drive, which should differentiate it from competitors in class.

Kizashi’s all-wheel drive system is based on the SX4’s i-AWD design and should feature selectable front-wheel drive when the driver does not perceive the need for secure all-wheel traction.

High output engine

Powering the new Suzuki is a 2.4l four-cylinder engine featuring variable valve timing and nearly all aluminium construction and internals - only the crankshaft is forged steel.

Although Suzuki is keeping mum about Kizashi’s exact outputs, rumour has the 2.4l producing around 143kW and 240Nm.

Suzuki has admitted it will be offering six-speed manual and CVT transmission options when Kizashi goes on sale, with the CVT set-up featuring paddle shift override.

Continuing the compact performance saloon theme are 18-inch wheels and Akebono brakes.



Interior design is clean, with sporty recessed engine- and road-speed dials, iPod connectivity and 425W of optional Rockford Fosgate infotainment acoustics.

Safety conscious buyers will be heartened to learn Kizashi has no less than eight airbags as standard.

The Kizashi range is set to go on sale Stateside during the last quarter of this year, where Suzuki desperately needs new product to stem its sliding sales performance.

Looks like a neat bit of kit.



 
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