A lot is hanging on how the Kizashi mid-sized sedan from American Suzuki Motor Corp. will be received in the US. Recently, Suzuki has released its pricing details. A model with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission is priced from $19,734, including shipping. A $1,500 premium is attached to an automatic continuously variable transmission. The base all-wheel-drive model, which comes only with a CVT, is priced at $22,484. For the base mode, standard features include eight airbags; push-button keyless start; dual-zone climate control; power windows, doors and locks; and a nine-speaker CD system with steering wheel controls. The car comes only with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Currently being tested is a V-6 engine. Meanwhile, a gasoline-electric hybrid version is expected to arrive around 2011. In an interview at the recently held Tokyo Motor Show, Toshihiro Suzuki, Suzuki’s chief director of overseas sales, said that the Kizashi is “not necessarily our last chance.” However, he admitted that poor sales for the sedan would compel Suzuki to re-evaluate its position in the US. Suzuki’s current marketing budget is the carmaker’s largest ever.
