Suzuki makes a Splash but new medium concept is star car

Suzuki showed it is a growing force within the automotive landscape at Frankfurt, unveiling the next stage in its small car strategy and a taste of things to come.

And while the production car -- the Swift-based Splash mini MPV -- was no surprise, the stunning lines and proportions of the Kizashi concept definitely wowed the crowd.

Destined to flavour the car with which Suzuki will take on the likes of Mazda's 6 and Subaru's Liberty, and look to raise its worldwide volumes to more than 3m units per annum, the Kizashi (a Japanese word meaning "prelude" or "foretaste") is far from production ready. Nonetheless, like all the good concept cars it gives a hint of what's to come -- including a Citroen-esque five-door bustle-back hatch cum shooting-brake silhouette.

Suzuki car boss, Toshihiro Suzuki, unveiled the Splash and Kizashi saying the latter was the next step in the carmaker's growth strategy.

The super successful Swift and SX4 kicked off Suzuki's rebirth under what Suzuki-san says was the first "Sporty" phase of development. Splash, which will be built in Hungary and come Down Under in 2009, and a new Alto, "in the wings", are stage two -- "Family". The car which Kizashi will spawn will deliver the third stage, "Status", says Suzuki.

To date Suzuki's medium cars have been limited to rebadged GM (nee Daewoo) product -- specifically versions of the same basic car that underpins Holden's Epica. These have generated lacklustre sales in markets like the USA. Kizashi's offspring will be a different kettle of sashimi.

Kizashi's production version will not straddle the roles of family and "entry luxury" typical of the D segment, says Suzuki. Indeed, Kizashi will not attempt to take the likes of Camry head-on but rather, "Suzuki is targeting emotional appeal as a way to deliver a level of customer satisfaction far higher than what might be expected from the car's price point."

Thus the car is destined to sit opposite the likes of Subaru's near-premium Liberty and Mazda's reborn 6.

Though facts are thin on the ground, the claims for the new car are substantial. It will deliver the lowest CO2 emissions in its class via an all-new 2.0-litre turbodiesel powerplant and hybrid componentry is also mooted, says the carmaker.

It will also sport all-wheel drive and deliver on Suzuki's claims of "driving performance" says brand boss Suzuki-san.

No news on timelines, alas. Given the delay in the Splash making it Down under, however, it's unlikely the production version of the Kizashi will make it to Australia this decade.

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