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Suzuki Baleno set for Frankfurt debut [w/video]

Suzuki is following up the introduction of the compact iK-2 concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with the debut of a production version called the Baleno at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Beyond some tweaks to the design of the headlights and taillights, the shapes of the chunky, five-door hatchbacks are practically identical. It goes on sale in the UK next summer. The Baleno rides on Suzuki's next-gen platform that's lighter and more rigid than before, and under the hood, there's the Japanese brand's new Boosterjet engine. Despite the high-flying name, it's just a 1.0-liter, direct injected and turbocharged mill. In Geneva, the company also mentioned that a mild hybrid version would be offered. Suzuki is dropping bigger details about the little car in Germany. Until then, the teaser video below provides brief glimpses at the front and rear of the Baleno. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. SUZUKI BALENO HATCHBACK TO DEBUT AT THE 66TH IAA FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW The all new Baleno, an ideal hatchback from compact car expert Suzuki is set to make its world premiere at the 66th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show.* The debut of the full production version follows on from the iK-2 Concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The Baleno harmoniously combines stylish design, spacious interior and new technologies. These new technologies include the first application of the newly Suzuki developed 1.0-litre BOOSTERJET direct injection turbocharged petrol engine that saves fuel while delivering driving pleasure. Fuel efficiency has been improved by reducing engine displacement; output and torque are boosted by using a turbocharger. In addition to fulfilling fuel efficiency and dynamic performance expectations, the layout has been optimised and various technologies used to reduce weight in order to meet the rigorous size and weight requirements specific to compact cars. The new Baleno will be launched in the UK early next Summer. Further details of the Baleno will be disclosed at the Suzuki press conference at the Frankfurt Motor show. The conference will be held at 1.15pm on Tuesday 15th September. We look forward to welcoming you on stand B12 in Hall 9.0. Learn more at http://www.globalsuzuki.com/iaa2015/, a special Baleno website. *At Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main; press days 15-16 September, public days 17-27 September.

Junkyard Gem: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi SE

American Suzuki Motor Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 2012, and new Suzuki-badged cars stopped being sold here the following year (meanwhile, Suzuki went on to create one of the biggest-selling cars in its home market). While many of the United States-market Suzukis of the previous decade had been Daewoos beneath the emblems, the Kizashi sedan was designed and manufactured entirely by Suzuki. There were high hopes – at first – that it would revive the brand's American fortunes. Here's a first-model-year example, found in a San Francsico Bay Area self-service yard a few months back. The word Kizashi means "something great is coming" in Japanese, but the Great Recession and the decreasing popularity of non-truck-shaped new vehicles in the United States kept sales of these cars low (even as Monster Tajima broke the ten-minute barrier in a Suzuki at Pikes Peak). You could buy a new Kizashi here until American Suzuki folded its tent and left in 2013, leaving just two-wheeled Suzukis available here for highway use. That was unfortunate because the Kizashi provided a lot of value for the price. This Kizashi SE had an MSRP starting at $21,499 (about $27,085 in 2021 dollars), and it had a pleasant interior and a bunch of unexpected standard features. You got keyless ignition, power seats with memory, 17" alloy wheels and a pretty decent seven-speaker audio system with USB and Bluetooth inputs (both of which were still uncommon in lower-priced cars at the time). If you upgraded to the GTS or SLS trim levels ($22,499 and $24,399, respectively), you got goodies including a thumping 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, a power sunroof and 18-inch wheels. But unless you were selling Hayabusas or KingQuads, 2010 wasn't a great time to have a Suzuki sign in front of your American showroom. The days of Geo- and Chevrolet-badged Suzukis roaming every American road ended with the Metro and Tracker; by the end, only the Kizashi, SX4 and Grand Vitara remained here. It appears that a Ford dealership in Pennsylvania sold this car at some point prior to its migration west. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder made 185 horsepower, better than its four-cylinder Mazda6 and Altima rivals. Smaller-displacement versions of the J24B engine went into the Aerio, Esteem, Sidekick, Tracker, and Vitara; the Grand Vitara got the 2.4. A six-speed manual transmission was available in the Kizashi's other trim levels, but SE buyers had to take the CVT. This content is hosted by a third party.

Suzuki demand in US rises after bankruptcy

Following word that Suzuki is ceasing car sales in America, it appears that demand for the Japanese automaker's wares have increased. According to The Detroit News, American Suzuki Motor Corp. will import an additional 2,500 vehicles to quench demand that has jumped since the company announced that it was filing for bankruptcy and ending sales in America.
Dealers recently informed their sales personnel that no more vehicles would be produced and that this was the final push. With heavy incentives and a seven-year warranty as value-adds, November sales for Suzuki rose in November some 22 percent, up to 2,224 vehicles. December sales also rose, but neither month's gains outweigh the long-term losses for the automaker. While Suzuki will sell roughly 22,000 cars this year in the US, it was selling about 120,000 annually before 2008.
As it stands, Suzuki will sell off the rest of its vehicle inventory, including the 2,500 additional units, and dealers will continue to provide parts an warranty work. With all of this negative news for the automaker, it's impressive to see an interest in Suzuki vehicles even with the imminent shuttering of its North American car sales.