Suzuki has announced the UK introduction of the Kizashi Sport ‘D’ segment car with switchable 2/4WD as standard equipment. Kizashi – which in Japanese means ‘A sign of great things to come’ - represents an exciting new direction for the company and has been developed as the flagship model in the Global Suzuki passenger car line-up.

The Kizashi redefines the traditional performance saloon and moves the Suzuki brand upscale without abandoning Suzuki’s traditional emphasis on content and value. Furthermore, its active and energetic identity, a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA, is augmented by the vehicle’s overall mission to provide strong yet refined performance.

The Sport model features a host of external and internal modifications that include a muscular front fascia (with chrome accents) and lower grille; body side sill extensions; lower body side mouldings with chrome accents; custom lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique sport steering wheel with contrasting stitching for its leather seats, gear shift surround and parking brake boot.

Kizashi is Suzuki’s first mid size saloon car and comfortably accommodates up to five people and their luggage needs, while retaining a sleek and stylish look. Exterior dimensions are length-width-height of 4,650mm x 1,820mm x 1,470mm making it one of the most compact ‘D’ segment saloon cars.

In combined cycle driving, it has a combined fuel consumption of 34.0 mpg with CO2 emissions of 191g/km.

For the UK market, the responsive 178hp four cylinder engine is connected to a performance-tuned Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers the driving experience consumers demand. The transmission is fitted with an additional shift lever gate as well as switches behind the steering wheel. This helps fully optimise driver control as the system can be operated manually through the available programme of six speeds.