- Suzuki has partnered with Road Race Motorsports to offer a turbocharger for the Kizashi sedan.
- Output has been increased to 290 horsepower.
- The turbo Kizashi concept car will debut on Speed Channel's Test Drive show.
BREA, California — Suzuki showed off a modestly tuned 2010 Kizashi at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show last fall, and now the Japanese automaker has decided to develop a turbocharger for the vehicle with the help of Road Race Motorsports. The turbo Kizashi concept will debut on Speed Channel's Test Drive show that premiered at 9 p.m. last Friday.
From the factory, the midsize sedan comes standard with a 2.4-liter inline-4 that makes just 185 horsepower. A Road Race Motorsports (RRM) turbo kit that includes a Mitsubishi-built 16G turbocharger and RRM intercooler, a custom fuel management system, an RRM "Sleeper" blow-off valve, a Velocity air intake, upgraded spray injector, a custom turbo manifold and a Tial 38mm wastegate brings the Kizashi's output up to 290 hp.
To handle the extra power, the Kizashi's suspension is tuned with sport springs and 19-inch Dunlop-wrapped wheels.
Check out the video below of Tommy Kendall test driving the standard Kizashi not only on a track at Willow Springs Raceway, but through the hills of Malibu.
Inside Line says: Adding a turbo option — albeit an aftermarket one — is one way to appease Kizashi shoppers complaining about the sedan's modest power. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
captobvious says:
05:56 PM, 10/18/2010
YES! I will never complain with boost! AWD please and i'll step foot into a Suzuki dealership
zoomzoomn says:
07:54 AM, 05/05/2010
Now THIS is what I am talking about. I say bring out a more lightly tuned (260hp) FWD version and this (290hp) one as an AWD one. This car would rock! Come on Suzuki!!!
vache1 says:
11:01 PM, 05/04/2010
This car has a cool vibe to it. I hope Suzuki can get a foothold in the US market--they build some quality products.
jacton says:
12:26 PM, 05/04/2010
It would be nice if it were a dealer installed option.
The SX4 turbo iirc can be installed by certified dealers. Empire here in Dallas could do it but they are out of business.
lautomobile says:
11:42 AM, 05/04/2010
A previous article I read said it is AWD; Eds should have clarified that in the article. Also, Suzuki has the AWD Kizashi pricing already posted on their website, so it looks promising.
crispalicious says:
11:25 AM, 05/04/2010
Regarding the concerns with all that power in a FWD setup, I hear that Suzuki was actually already planning on releasing an AWD model (I believe I heard this a while back on Edmunds and elsewhere as well, but I'm not sure how relevant it is now), which means they could offer this engine with AWD if they are finalizing the decision go with this turbo.
jeremy_c says:
10:43 AM, 05/04/2010
What does Kazashi turbo translate into in English? Torque steer crazy!
With 290bhp and a lightweight vehicle, I suspect that flooring the gas may dislocate your wrist.
notabigdeal says:
10:17 AM, 05/04/2010
Its better then nothing...