The Secret Cult Following of the Amazing Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki isn’t the first manufacture you think of when some one says “fun”. Yes, there are the few outliers like the Swift Sport, but in general, they are just another cheap Japanese family car. However, there is a little hidden gem. This happens to be the quite plain Suzuki Kizashi. Why the Kizashi? What is it? Well let me enlighten you.

Part 1: Background

The Kizashi was first spoken of way back in 2007 at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The picture above is the Suzuki Kizashi 1, the first of three concepts before the official release of the production version in 2009. This, in my opinion is the most interesting form of the Kizashi Concepts. It’s sort of a squashed SUV. Four doors, a strange 2.0L 16-valve Turbo Diesel engine coupled with a sequential 6-speed, and AWD. Interesting.

The next concept was shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, named the unassuming Suzuki Kizashi 2. (I’m sure you can guess what the 3rd concept is called) This was another different car, in the form of a 5-door crossover sport wagon. At least this time, the engine is a more traditional 3.6L V6 with a 6-speed and this time, the more advanced i-AWD.

And now we come to the finial evolution before the actual production version, this time dressing up as four door saloon. It was shown at the 2008 New York Auto Show, and is the most accurate representation of the production car. This one has a 3.6L V6 (The same as the Kizashi 2) with a 6-speed and AWD. That engine is rated at 300 hp, not bad for such a car. But now we come to the moment of truth, the actual production car.

Suzuki Kizashi 3

Released a year after the finial concept in 2009, this is the real Suzuki Kizashi. Four doors, around 185 hp, and available in AWD or FWD variants coupled with an automatic or even a manual. It can even hop to 60 in around 7.1 seconds. Not terrible for what it is. Suddenly, in December of 2013, Suzuki announced the discontinuation of the Suzuki Kizashi in all global markets. The only countries left is Pakistan/UAE. Which is a shame, because I feel it could really do well with some tweaking. But this leaves us with one question: what have people done with it?

Part 2: Modifying

So let’s hop right into it. It has nice body lines, a fairly large engine bay, and plenty room for improvement. The only issue was that this car is made by Suzuki, which is so unknown for making cars that it’s pretty rare to see a Kizashi up and driving around in the US. However the people who noticed it jumped on the opportunity to make a mad tuner car. Here are a few examples.

Some simple cosmetic mods like new wheels, suspension, and a few new body bits really make the car look great!

This particular one is a big turbo autocross machine.

As you can see, Kizashi owners have gotten creative and made some interesting builds, but not many. There are a few forums focused on this aspect of the car, and seemingly everyone who owns a modified Kizashi loves it. It’s just so unknown that no one bothered to even give it a try, but those who did, are pretty happy. Now, the Suzuki Kizashi has even participated in motorsport, but again, not many people listened.

Part 3: Motorsport and Conclusion

Yessir, this is a Suzuki Kizashi on Bonneville. Here’s a little but more information on this particular car. It was put together by Richard Holdener and Tom Habrzyk of Advanced Product Engineering. With a stock engine and transmission, they equipped it with a Turbonetics turbocharger, an intercooler, a new intake manifold, revised headers, and forged pistons / rods. This pushed the small 2.4L engine to 500hp, which actually got the car to over 200 mph (203.720 to be exact), and beating the previous record holder of the Blown Gas Coupe category (F-BGC). Even more crazy is that this was the first official crack at the Bonneville Salt Flats by American Suzuki’s automotive arm.

It even spent time at the Nurburgring, as you can see a driver tossing the sedan around the corners.

So overall, I just think the Kizashi is underrated, especially in it;s category. It even has great tuning possibilities, but no one gives it a chance. So this is Justin, signing off. Peace. #Blogpost