Suzuki @ Frankfurt '07: New Models, New Race Cars

Motoring Channel Staff - 10/August/2007

Shizuoka, Japan — You can tell when the Frankfurt Motor Show arrives, because almost every single car maker the world over begins to show off new models, or in many cases - such as Suzuki's - concept cars.

Suzuki has exhibited a trio of new vehicles at the '07 Motor Show in Frankfurt, the new Splash compact car, the SX4 WRC, and the most intriguing of all the Kizashi.

Taking a leaf from Mazda's book of using traditional Japanese monikers to name its concept and influential show cars, Kizashi translates roughly into 'prelude'. 

The new model will be a mid-sized vehicle to rival the brand-new Mazda6 and not-so-new Honda Accord Euro, and as Suzuki explained, "This breakthrough into the middle class segment is a sign ... of the important step from compact and four-wheel drive specialists into a complete production line-up."

No longer just a maker of motorcycles and 4WDs, Suzuki wants to reach the big leagues and based on its current successes - see the SX4 road test for an example - there's no reason why it cannot achieve this goal at it's first attempt.

Though we don't have much information to go on, except for the stylised sketch and the meaning of the car's name, the Kizashi is described by Suzuki as being "Full of energy, flexible and emotionally appealing".

Suzuki also mentions 'status' when referring to the new Kizashi concept car, suggesting the new model has prestigious aspirations. This could mean radar-based cruise control and massaging rear seats, or it could simply mean leather seats and climate control. 

We'll have to wait until September to find out exactly where the Kizashi sits in terms of luxury. Unless you work at Suzuki and already know the details. If so, email us.

The second car on display at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show is the Suzuki Splash, a compact car aimed at European customers. Building on the success of the Swift, the easy-to-say Splash will be on sale in Europe in 2008, powered by super-economical engines:

3-cylinder 1.0-litre (48kW) 
4-cylinder 1.2-litre (63kW)
4-cylinder 1.3-litre DDiS turbo-diesel (55kW)

In addition to the frugal engines, safety will be a big feature of the new supermini, which will be "loaded with a host of standard features" says Suzuki. This includes ABS, EBD, ESP, and six airbags on some models.

For more information on the new Suzuki Splash, try this article.

The third vehicle displayed on the Suzuki stand at the Frankfurt auto show will be the World Rally Championship version of the SX4, which will face its first competition test in the middle of October inCorsica, at the Rallye de France.

Additionally, Suzuki has confirmed that it will "reveal the team who will pilot the SX4 which will compete in the 2008 World Rally Championship". We may even see a high profile rally driver making a switch to Suzuki.

Having dominated JWRC in 2007 with the Swift Super Sport, Suzuki's top-flight WRC ambitions are not to be taken lightly. The new SX4 WRC car is expected to output an impressive 240kW of power and a stump-pulling 637Nm of torque from it's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. It will rival current rally cars such as the Subaru WRX, Ford Focus and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

Suzuki will also showcase the new B-King Motorcycle, and it's new DF300 V6 outboard motor.

Related articles:
- Suzuki SX4 (Road Test)
- Suzuki Splash (2008)
- Suzuki Swift Sport vs. Mitsubishi Ralliart Colt (Road Test)
- Hyundai Santa Fe vs Suzuki Grand Vitara (Road Test)