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2009 Suzuki Cars at SEMA Review

November 2009
Filed under: SUZUKI Car News | SUZUKI Headlines

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While the Concept Kizashi series debuted globally over the past two years, (in Frankfurt, Tokyo and New York), U.S. anticipation for the production Kizashi was met by a number of custom builders " and members of Suzuki management " asking the proverbial “what if? What if you melded Kizashis production underpinnings and artfully-crafted sheet metal with modifications fully appropriate to a concepts debut? With European sport sedans serving as Kizashis inspiration, and Suzukis design and engineering team constructing a platform fully appropriate to a global marketplace, the all-new Kizashi serves as the perfect platform for those stylistic and performance mods integral to Americas motoring DNA. The challenge went out and four custom shops responded. The results of those combined efforts are on display next week at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

As one of the first custom builders to recognize the potential of Suzukis vehicles, the presence of Road Race at SEMA comes as no surprise. Given the Kizashi platforms promise " and the fluid, almost organic sheet metal clothing it " Road Race supplies its own very unique take on Kizashi.

SEMA visitors can enjoy Road Races Sport Body kit exterior which employs Carbontrix custom bumpers, rear spats and diffuser. Road Race has crafted a custom grill, vented hood and made the Kizashi its own Platinum Edition graphics and a blackened roof. These visual modifications are supported by a platform perfectly suited to Las Vegas Motor Speedway or a high-speed drive on I-15 (what happens in Vegas doesnt have to stay in Vegas¦).

Progress Technology provided the sport springs and front and rear sway bars. Road Race installed its own chassis stiffeners, and Rotora brings the custom Kizashi to a stop with 330mm slotted rotors up front, supplemented by Road Races own 260mm slotted rotors in the rear. Under the vented hood, the sweetness continues with a proprietary custom intake system, Zeitronix ZT-2 data logging system and Road Race engine management. The modifications are concealed " until ignition " by a painted-to-match engine cover, and announced by Road Races own Integrated Sport dual exhaust system. The Road Race Kizashi can be seen at the Zeitronix Booth #21212.

Delta Tech Engineering, a specialist in vehicle lighting, started with a gutted " and lightened " Kizashi body shell. While Delta Tech took care of under the hood, with cold air intake and performance exhausts, RK Sport developed a body kit, Katzkin supplied the custom seating, and Koni enhanced the Kizashis already composed ride with its own coilovers and shocks. Lighting, engineered in house by Delta Tech, is LED and HID. Sound equipment upgrades are provided by Kenwood. The Delta Tech Kizashi may be seen at Booth #23526 in the Central Hall.

Integrating vintage European elegance with the high-performance DNA of Suzukis Hayabusa, Westside Groups Kizashi Soleil (French for masculine sun) incorporates numerous distinct touches, all executed to make an individualistic statement within the unique template supplied by Suzukis own execution. Vehicle modifications performed by Westside include custom two-toned paint (Napa Merlot/Bronzed Amber), redesigned front and rear fenders, custom air apertures, fabricated grill, shaved and modified door handles and new front fascia. In back, a redesigned rear deck lid equipped with a GT Super Car spoiler, and a redesigned rear bumper is equipped with custom Yoshimura exhaust. Planting the Soleil to the ground are early-release Bridgestone Potenza mounted on R-Worx 7-spoke wheels. The Westside Group Kizashi will be on display in the show car area adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

No outlet speaks better to the tuner audience than Import Tuner magazine. With its Kizashi the project build team went for the vehicular jugular, with performance enhancements under the hood, appropriate suspension mods connecting those enhancements to the ground, and cosmetic modifications to provide the appropriate visualization for Import Tuners own editorial visualization.

With a nod to both the SEMA Show and its own Los Angeles " based roots, the Import Tuner Kizashi provides a tune-up to an already class-leading sport sedan. The Import Tuner Kizashi will be on display in the show car area adjacent to the Las Vega

Using Suzukis award-winning Equator platform as its base, ICON Vehicle Dynamics taps into a variety of Southern California-based suppliers to assemble a more aggressive interpretation of Suzukis off-road recipe. Under the hood, Doug Thorley long-tube headers and cat-back exhaust amplify the Equators class-leading 4.0 liter V6. And for off-road exploration, the Equators suspension is enhanced with ICONs own performance coilovers in front and 2.5-inch piggyback shocks supporting linked to Total Chaos upper control arms.

The enhanced power " and capability " is connected to the less-traveled path with Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires mounted to Trail Ready bead-lock wheels; the Equators bodywork is protected by Bushwacker fender flares. AMP Research bed extender and LightForce lights add to both utility and safety. ICONs Equator can be seen at SEMA booth #32173.

The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 350 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2008, SMC sold more than 2 million new cars and trucks and more than 3.5 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions.

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