Suzuki's heir apparent

Designed to bank on the success of the Swift and SX4 models, Suzuki's new sedan is just what the company has needed for some years, writes DAVE MOORE.

The Kizashi is probably one of the most eagerly awaited new models in recent years from any car maker. After changing the perception of the company by introducing the award- winning and super popular Swift, and following it up with the Fiat co- developed SX4, Suzuki has been on a roll.

These two models have been responsible for a shift in focus which means Suzuki is not known only for small all-wheel-drives, but also as a maker of desirable and innovative small passenger cars.

Suzuki has long been losing customers to other car makers once they have grown out of the Swift and SX4 - unless they can be persuaded to go for an SUV - and it was paramount to the company that it created a larger car to stop loyal punters from going "over the edge", as it were.

It first tried to do this in the United States during its GM association by way of a re-badged Magnus model from GM Daewoo called the Suzuki Verona. Unfortunately, worthy though the car was, potential owners couldn't work out why they needed to pay more for a car that said it was a Suzuki but wasn't, and which was available for less money from a Daewoo or Chevy showroom.

Enter the slick, svelte Kizashi four- door sedan, an all-Suzuki designed and engineered Honda Accord/ Mazda 6-sized car, which has been seen as a concept car at various motor shows during the past few years.

To be fair, the final Kizashi design is a far cry from the sharply detailed and almost zany show car. For packaging reasons, the final sign-off design has a more upright passenger glass area, but the angle of the front and rear screens and the slickly executed front and rear ends create an attractive four-door sedan that will sit well with the current array of mainstream 2.0-litres or thereabouts offerings.

As well as being available as a staple front-drive offering, the Kizashi will offer all-wheel-drive, with the standard powertrain being a 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve four- cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. There is an optional continuously variable transmission which I'm told will be the only transmission available in all- wheel-drive versions.

The all-wheel-drive system is expected to be based on the SX4's iAWD setup, and will be switchable so that power and torque stays with the front wheels only when full traction isn't needed for reasons of economy, emissions and potential wear and tear.

Insiders at the long-lead launch of the car say the Kizashi isn't just a comfort-zoned family sedan. It will have sporting suspension, set to bring it into line with the expectations of customers normally looking at the Honda Accord Euro, Mazda 6 and Subaru Legacy. With the Legacy part of its potential sales equation, Suzuki will have looked at the popularity of the Subaru's wagon and Outback versions, and we might eventually see a five-door load-carrying version for lifestylers and skiers.

The new Suzuki will be built in Japan at Suzuki's Sagara plant and is expected to have high passive safety level, with eight airbags fitted even to the entry-point car, along with ABS, and a stability control system.

The Kizashi is expected to include several trim and equipment levels, with leather featuring in the top versions, along with very high-end stereo and connectivity systems, including MP3 and iPod compatibility.

We haven't driven the car yet - we expect to by the time it arrives early next year - but can surmise that Suzuki, here and overseas, will be pleased to offer a car for those who've grown out of Swifts and SX4s, but don't aspire to a Vitara.