Suzuki Dumps Detroit Show; Sports Sedan Coming in 2009

2007 Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

Enlarge Photo

Suzuki says its new sports sedan will bow at an auto show in 2009--but it won't be the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

As Porsche has already confirmed, Suzuki will pass on attending the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. In doing so, Suzuki's abandoning Cobo Hall for more spacious digs at competing auto shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. No reasons were given for the move, only the statement that Suzuki "will not attend" the Detroit show next January.

While it's skipping winter in Motown, Suzuki is planning a raft of appearances at locally important and international auto shows next year. At one of them, the Japanese automaker will parade a new sports sedan that's been shown in concept form as the Kizashi and Kizashi 2. Shown here at the Tokyo show last year, the Suzuki Kizashi 2 was billed as "an emotionally appealing shape that reflects a dual focus on status and vitality in a way that generates excitement about its performance and heightens the pleasure of ownership."

Details are few on the production version of the sedan--including at which auto show it might first appear. However, the concept Kizashi 2 was powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, a powertrain expected to appear in the real Suzuki sedan when it goes on sale. A hybrid version is said to be in the works as well.

Stay tuned for more from Suzuki and for more on the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. 2007 Suzuki Kizashi 2 ConceptEnlarge PhotoSuzuki says its new sports sedan will bow at an auto show in 2009--but it won't be the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. As Porsche has already confirmed, Suzuki will pass on attending the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. In doing so, Suzuki's abandoning Cobo Hall for more spacious digs at competing auto shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. No reasons were given for the move, only the statement that Suzuki "will not attend" the Detroit show next January. While it's skipping winter in Motown, Suzuki is planning a raft of appearances at locally important and international auto shows next year. At one of them, the Japanese automaker will parade a new sports sedan that's been shown in concept form as the Kizashi and Kizashi 2. Shown here at the Tokyo show last year, the Suzuki Kizashi 2 was billed as "an emotionally appealing shape that reflects a dual focus on status and vitality in a way that generates excitement about its performance and heightens the pleasure of ownership." Details are few on the production version of the sedan--including at which auto show it might first appear. However, the concept Kizashi 2 was powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, a powertrain expected to appear in the real Suzuki sedan when it goes on sale. A hybrid version is said to be in the works as well. Stay tuned for more from Suzuki and for more on the upcoming Detroit Auto Show.