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New York 2010: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport lands on show floor

"You'll turn blue in the face if you're holding your breath waiting for a V6 Kizashi." That was the word from a Suzuki spokesman at last night's insider preview of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport. It makes sense since Suzuki and General Motors have parted ways and that V6 was expected to come from GM. While we had been hoping a V6 would be part of the package, we are taking this quote to mean there won't be anything other than a four-cylinder in the engine bay for a good long time. And we do mean anything. Automotive News is also reporting that Suzuki has also dropped plans for the hybrid version of the mid-size media darling.

What we're left with isn't exactly chopped liver though. We've waxed poetically about the Kizashi and its near perfect blend of styling, performance and value, and the Sport looks to add just that little extra bit of styling and performance to make it even more appealing. We still have to wait to pass judgment on whether they keep the value part of the equation as prices won't be announced until closer to the vehicle's July on-sale date.

[Source: American Suzuki Motor Corp.]

SUZUKI DEBUTS 2011 KIZASHI SPORT AT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

* Suzuki enhances Kizashi lineup with world introduction of 'Sport' version.
* 2011 Kizashi Sport adds even more flash and class to content-packed Suzuki sport sedan.
* Competition in sporty hatch segment heats up with 2010 SX4 SportBack.
* Suzuki's New York International Auto Show exhibit (First Floor 311).

NEW YORK (March 30, 2010) - American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) arrives in Manhattan - a city known for and populated by its many imports - for the global introduction of its 2011 Kizashi Sport at this year's New York International Auto Show. Offered exclusively on Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels, Suzuki's new 'Sport' variant of its sleek and sophisticated sport sedan is scheduled to go on sale in the United States this August. Pricing for the all-new 2011 Kizashi Sport will be announced closer to the vehicle's arrival in dealer showrooms.

"We've been thrilled with an enthusiastic reaction to the 2010 Kizashi, and we look forward to offering sport sedan buyers the newest iteration of our stylish sport sedan later this year," said Koichi Suzuki, executive vice president American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "The Kizashi Sport provides us with an opportunity to build on the sport sedan's short-term accomplishments and further engage driving enthusiasts looking for an affordable alternative to luxury performance vehicles."

Based on the recently introduced 2010 Kizashi (pronounced "Kee-Zah-Shee"), already acclaimed for its near-luxury content and Euro-tuned platform, the 2011 Kizashi Sport moves the excitement meter upward with a host of external mods. These include a more muscular front fascia (with chrome accents) and lower grille, body side sill extensions, lower body side molding with chrome accents, a trunk mounted spoiler, custom light weight 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10mm lower ride height for a combination of better aerodynamics and a lower center of gravity for enhanced grip and sharper handling.

Inside, the new Kizashi gets a distinctive designed sport steering wheel with perforated leather grip and contrasting stitching on the leather seats, shifter boot and emergency brake boot (when equipped with black leather interior). Interior upgrades speak to the Kizashi's sporting intent, with form-fitting sport seats and driver-centric cockpit.
2010 Kizashi

The 2010 Kizashi is available in four trim levels, ranging from the well-equipped entry-level Kizashi S priced between $18,999 for FWD and $21,899 for AWD, to the luxuriously appointed SLS model ranging from $24,499 for FWD M/T to $26,899 for AWD Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Prices do not include the $735 destination and handling charge.
2010 SX4 SportBack

In addition, Suzuki will showcase America's most affordable "Hot Hatch", the all-new 2010 Suzuki SX4 SportBack. Sharing its base configuration with the all-wheel-drive SX4 Crossover, the SX4 SportBack offers an all-new 2.0-liter engine delivering 150 horsepower with its standard six-speed manual transmission. For those with a preference for action with less interaction, a performance-tuned CVT (with paddle shifters) is optional. Suzuki's new hot hatch also features an aero package, larger rear, fog lamps, spoiler, lower ride package (when compared to the SX4 Crossover) with KYB performance shocks, keyless start, stability control, all-new instrument cluster and a class-exclusive standard navigation system.
2010 Suzuki Auto Product Line

Suzuki Auto's versatile line of vehicles includes the spirited four-door SX4 Sport, all-wheel-drive five-door SX4 Crossover, refined Grand Vitara compact SUV, award-winning Equator pickup truck and all-new 2010 Kizashi and SX4 SportBack. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki's standout virtues of durability, leading-edge style and high-end features at very competitive prices. All 2010 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corp. (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 2009, SMC sold more than 2.3 million new cars and trucks and more than 2.8 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzuki.com. Suzuki can also be found on Twitter (@SuzukiAuto), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/SuzukiAutomotive).

We know what you're thinking. Isn't it a little late to be reviewing the 2010 Shelby GT500? After all, Ford introduced the 2011 version with the new aluminum block at last month's Chicago Auto Show. It's not that we didn't want to get our hands on the 2010 GT500 before now. In fact, we were champing at the bit to review one a few days after our First Drive, but apparently the universe didn't want us to have one until now.

Last summer, a few issues delayed our chance at driving Ford's hottest 'Stang, beginning with Ford running out of tires for the GT500s in the press fleet (we can't imagine why). When Fall rolled around, the transmission in our tester was damaged the week before we were scheduled to take delivery. We were ready to give up hope when the call came in that it would be available in March. Better late than never, right? Besides, who's going to turn down a week with a 540-horsepower muscle car? Al Gore? Definitely not us.

To be honest, our expectations couldn't have been higher. Our last encounter with the 2010 GT500 at Infineon Raceway allowed us to let loose on the 1/4-mile drag strip and smooth pavement of the road course, the perfect playgrounds for a high-horsepower Mustang laden with its infamous solid rear axle. It was essentially on par with the $80,000 GT500KR, but cost $30,000 less and came without Shelby's controversial carbon fiber hood, which we could do without anyway. After a day's worth of fruitful flogging, we were ready to sign the check. But would the GT500 be a less likable character off-track? Could a 540-horsepower Mustang suit our daily requirements of equal parts grocery-getting and canyon-carving?

Visually, the GT500 benefits from the 2010 redesign more so than the standard Mustang V6 and GT models. The rear end, especially the taillights, doesn't look quite as awkward thanks to the subtle spoiler, and the front end takes on a slightly more aggressive appearance with its protruding snout. We're also particularly fond of the new 19-inch wheels, which appear more upscale compared to the previous 18-inch rollers. The plastic front spoiler and rear diffuser come across as bargain-basement pieces, but that might not be such a bad thing. We didn't have any problems making it over some steep dips in the road, but the car arrived with a slightly damaged lip, likely the result of a tall curb in a parking lot. It didn't take long for us to realize that parking the GT500 is more challenging that it would appear, as it's nearly impossible to judge exactly where the massive front end is when pulling forward. If that part of the coupe is going to take some fairly frequent abuse, then we would rather have the parts be as inexpensive as possible.

While the exterior is arguably more attractive than its predecessor, the interior is – without question – vastly improved compared to the previous GT500. Like the Mustang GT and V6, the GT500 benefits from a complete cockpit makeover, with higher quality materials and a more modern look. Soft-touch plastics abound, finally making occupants feel like they might actually be piloting a $50,000 car. And yes, that's real aluminum on the dash. Ford has also added a few thoughtful touches including Alcantara trim on the steering wheel, seats and shifter boot, and we also appreciate the new gauges that somehow look more modern while still retaining a retro look. The matching stripes on the seats and cue ball shifter might be too cheesy for some, but in a car like the GT500, it comes off as cool and clean.

Our test car also came with the Electronics Package that includes the navigation system and dual climate control, a $2,195 option. You'll have to forgive us for not using the SIRIUS Travel Link or the 10-gigs worth of music storage (we already know they're good), but those features weren't our primary focus while we were at the helm. We're sure you understand.

Visuals aside, the GT500 is all about the powertrain. The iron block, supercharged 5.4-liter V8 remains in the car for 2010, although it's rated at 540 horsepower thanks to its open-element air intake and engine management changes. That KR-matching horsepower, plus 510 pound-feet of torque, is channeled through a new twin-disc clutch and six-speed manual with revised gearing. Though Ford has given the GT500 a more aggressive final drive ratio (3.55:1 compared to 3.31:1), both fifth and sixth gear are now taller to provide better fuel mileage on the freeway. That doesn't sound important, but it actually drops the price of the GT500 by $300 thanks to a reduction in the gas guzzler tax. At 65 mph we could doddle along at a mere 1,500 rpm in sixth gear, which contributed to our average of 19.5 mpg overall. Not bad for a 540-hp beast.

Like the engine, the suspension has been improved thanks to knowledge gained through the GT500KR program. The front springs are 13 percent stiffer in front and seven percent stiffer at the rear, and the dampers have been tweaked to provide better control. Steering has also been improved thanks to a softer anti-roll bar and a stiffer steering shaft that reduces input effort.

All of those changes might seem minor, but they add up to a drastically better car than prior model years. While the rush of driving the previous generation GT500 quickly dwindled because of its many deficiencies, there's nothing to impede the driving experience of the new car. The steering is precise, requiring little effort at first and building up feedback as you increase speed. Assuming you haven't overloaded the front tires before going into a corner, the front end goes exactly where you point it despite the mass of iron over the front wheels. The clutch, previously vague and unforgiving, is buttery smooth and just as capable of doing hard launches as it is inching along in traffic. And the shifter, originally one of our biggest complaints in the last GT500, has lost its rubbery feel and provides accurate shifts. It requires a firm grip and a decent amount of effort to row between gears, but we'd almost be disappointed if it were too easy.

We tried to take the GT500 on as many types of roads as possible, and the results were fairly predictable. Long, smooth sweepers suit the car best, providing an easy task for the suspension and allowing the engine to really stretch its legs. The GT500 can even tackle tight turns with surprising agility, swinging the front end around with relative ease. The solid rear axle only lets itself be known over large bumps encountered mid-turn, causing the back end to step out, albeit in a fairly predictable manner that only takes a fraction of a second to correct.

Where the GT500 didn't shine was on the freeways of Southern California. The suspension tuning seemed to harmonize exactly with the repeated bumps in the road, the shocks decompressing exactly as we thudded over the next imperfection in the road. The result of bouncing up and down in our seats in a consistent rhythm over several miles quickly became tiresome.

The GT500's favorite type of road, however, is the one that is very straight, very long and very deserted. These can't be found in abundance near downtown Los Angeles, but we endured a bumpy freeway drive to get out of the city proper, and after all, we needed to test out the new three-stage traction control system. Extensively.

With the traction control fully disabled, which requires holding the TC button for a full eight seconds, the GT500 turns into the world's best burnout machine. Rev the supercharged V8 to practically any RPM, drop the clutch and in a matter of seconds the rear tires will be engulfed in massive clouds of scorched rubber while the engine bangs off redline. Shift to second and the mayhem continues. Only in third gear does the GT500 finally start to gain traction at full throttle, and at that point you'll have already breached the limit of legal speeds. If smoky burnouts are your thing, then feel free to leave the traction control off, but if you're trying to actually go somewhere in a hurry then dial the TC to Sport mode. It allows a small amount of wheel spin before cutting power, and although it still requires a delicate foot to work the throttle, provides a longer leash for tire spin than with the traction control fully on. Once hooked up the GT500 isn't necessarily the fastest car we've driven, but thanks to an insanely flat torque curve it can pull hard from just about any rpm.

But as much as we like the 2010 GT500, it's not a car we would buy. That's not to say we aren't smitten – we're just as in love as we were when we left Infineon Raceway – but we just can't recommend it. It's not the price tag ($46,325 MSRP, $50,895 as-tested), which is an incredible bargain. Nor is it the solid rear axle (negated by Ford's impressive suspension tuning). It's certainly not the interior, or the exterior for that matter.

You see, as good as the 2010 GT500 is, there's something better coming. Just like we would have never bought a 2010 Mustang GT in anticipation of the legendary 5.0-liter V8 arriving in the 2011 model, we would keep our wallet tucked away until the 2011 Shelby GT500 hits showroom floors. With its aluminum block V8 filling the space between the front fenders, the 2011 GT500 should be even better. That's what taking 105 pounds off the front end of a car will do. So be patient, and wait for the 2011 GT500. That's what we're doing.

[Source: Autoblog]

Even though BMW recently unveiled the hot new Alpina B7 at this year's Chicago Auto Show, the fun won't stopped there. At next week's New York Auto Show, Ze Germans will debut a second iteration of the B7, equipped with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

Like the standard Alpina package, the B7 xDrive will be available on both the short- and long-wheelbase 7 Series. Official pricing hasn't been released, but based on the non-Alpina 7 Series models, adding xDrive to the B7 should add roughly $3,000 to the sticker.

[Source: BMW]

Car fires are nothing new, but when it happens to the world's cheapest car on its way to its new home, the Tata Nano tends to lose its allure.

According to our friends at IndianAutosBlog, Satish Sawant, a Mumbai-based (irony alert) insurance agent, took delivery of his $2,500 hatchback, and while being chauffeured back to his house (Sawant doesn't have a license yet), a motorcyclist overtook him and pointed to the rear of his new baby. At which point, the driving duo noticed flames coming from the rear. Says Sawant, "I have no idea what happened... The engine was behind me and I did not realize the car was on fire."

This is apparently the second incident of a Nano catching fire, which, along with a recent spate of electrical issues, has some questioning the quality of the budget runabout. Naturally, today's lesson is: You get what you pay for.

[Source: IndianAutosBlog]

According to a Toyota memo first obtained by Jalopnik and later reported by the Associated Press, Toyota is currently notifying dealers that a replacement pedal can be installed at no charge to owners of recalled Toyota products if the owner is not satisfied with the current fix for the problem.

Most vehicles involved with the pedal recall have been fixed by inserting a metal shim into the accelerator pedal, which is believed to reduce friction and provide smoother travel to the pedal. The AP reports that owners who either do not feel confident in the fix or who still complain of pedal problems can ask their dealership for a new replacement pedal at no charge.

Through data analysis, it has been determined that at least 100 owners of recalled vehicles have filed complaints regarding pedal action after the dealership reportedly fixed the problem. Perhaps by witnessing this data, Toyota has responded to reduce further complaints by replacing the entire pedal assembly on vehicles with on-going problems.

The Associated Press quotes a portion of the memo as follows:

A replacement pedal should only be offered to a customer after the reinforcement bar has been installed and the customer has expressed dissatisfaction with the operation and/or feel of the pedal. (Pedal replacement) is based upon specific customer request only. Dealers are not to solicit pedal replacement.

The AP added that the memo lists vehicles involved as: the 2005-10 Avalon; 2007-10 Camry and Tundra; 2009-10 Corolla, Matrix and RAV4; 2008-10 Sequoia and 2010 Highlander. It remains uncertain if other vehicles such as the Prius may also be included in the replacement pedal process.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google, Jalopnik]

Whenever Audi introduces a new model, chances are that the folks at Abt Sportsline are going to get their hands on one. The German company has been tuning Volkswagens and Audis since the 1970s and has enjoyed success racing the Audi A4 in DTM and more recently the new R8 LMS. Needless to say, Abt knows how to properly modify cars bearing the four rings.

Abt's latest project is the droptop version of the Audi R8. Visually the car gets a new front grille, front fascia with carbon fiber spoiler, side sills, rear fascia, rear spoiler and lightweight five-spoke wheels. Even more importantly, the 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to provide 600 horsepower, good for 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Finally, Abt provides a sport suspension system for improved handling.

[Source: ABT Sportline]

Toyota walked a fine line this afternoon when it revealed that its own two-day investigation of last week's runaway Prius near San Diego, CA had reached the same conclusion as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's investigation. That is, the brakes on Jim Sikes' 2008 Toyota Prius should have been able to stop the car. Toyota did not, however, go so far as to call Sikes a liar.

The investigation determined that the front brake pads were worn so far down from overheating that the rotors were scraping the pads' metal backings. According to investigators, this could have only happened if the brake pedal were applied lightly (less than 50% or so) for an extended period of time, not pressed firmly to the floor as Sikes claimed he was doing. Only by "dragging" the brakes lightly could they become so overheated and worn, as firmly pressing the brake pedal while the car is accelerating would engage the brake override system that cuts engine power.

Though asked repeatedly if they had concluded that Sykes was lying, representatives for Toyota insisted that was not their judgment to make and they could only say that the investigation's findings were not consistent with the scenario that Sikes describes.

Follow the jump for Toyota's official statement in which it details all eight points of its findings.

[Source: Toyota]

CARS COOP

New York 2010: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport lands on show floor

Review: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500

All-wheel-drive BMW Alpina B7 xDrive slated for New York debut

Tata Nano becomes CarBQ in Mumbai

Toyota to replace pedals for owners not satisfied with fix

Abt Sportsline gets its hands on Audi R8 Spyder

Toyota agrees with NHTSA investigation of runaway Prius, but not calling Sikes a liar

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