Suzuki is continuing it's push into the medium car segment by introducing an all-wheel-drive sporty variant of the impressive Kizashi saloon launched earlier this year. The Kizashi Sport AWD rides lower and has a much more aggressive front-end styling to distinguish it from the 2WD models.
However, there is no manual transmission available, with Suzuki opting for a CVT transmission that incorporates six speeds into the manual shift option within the CVT. The AWD technology has added around 75 kg to the Kizashi’s weight which has also bumped up the fuel consumption by around half a litre per 100 kms – 8.4 litres/100 km.
Suzuki say the extra fuel consumption is more than offset by the Kizashi's AWD's superior road handling and holding, as well as improved safety on slippery surfaces. "This car is all about the driving," said Suzuki Queensland spokesman, Mike Turner. The Kizashi Sport AWD uses the same 2.4 litre in line four found in Grand Vitara since 2008. The engine has been tweaked to 131 kW at 6000 rpm and 230 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.
Visually the Kizashi Sport AWD is more impressive than the 2WD with 18 inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, the lower road height and front changes which include a different bumper, matching lower grille and fog lamp bezels with chrome accents. There's a hint of Audi about the grille. In addition the suspension has been tuned.
The interior of the Sport AWD is slightly different with a three spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel different door garnishes and the leather trim gets silver double stitching while the side gets a lower body skirt and the rear a boot lid spoiler.
The new AWD system provides much more than power to all four wheels. The system is activated by a dash-mounted switch that goes between 2WD and AWD auto. In AWD auto mode the system measures road and driving conditions through readings from a series of sensors and processors. The AWD system then adapts the distribution of torque to the front and rear wheels to best manage cornering control. In oversteer situations torque is diverted the the front wheels. In understeer torque is sent to the rear wheels. In addition the system is also able to detect if the driving is taking evasive steering correction in the event of lateral movement, as assist in this technique.
In addition the Kizashi is also fitted with the latest safety technology: ABS brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Kizashi Sport AWD was developed to handle snow conditions in Japan.
SUZUKI KIZASHI MODELS AND PRICING
XL 6 spd manual 2.4 litre $27,990*
XL CVT 2.4 litre $30,490
XLS 6 spd manual 2.4 litre $34,990
XLS CVT 2.4 litre $36,990
Sport AWD CVT 2.4 litre $39,990
(*Pricing does not include dealer or government charges)
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