Tuesday, May 21, 2013
2011 Suzuki Splash
I’m not sure what a ‘collective’ of new Suzukis might be called - a stable perhaps - but whatever the name it has just happened when the company showed off its range of updated models and two surprises to the UK media.
Keeping impressive sales momentum going Suzuki GB has just wheeled out their updated model range to meet the press.
They also gave a preview to the Kizashi, Suzuki’s first D-segment car which has a 2.4-litre petrol engine, CVT auto transmission and highly rated i-AWD all wheel drive system.
It will be arriving later this year but only with an initial 500 units availa
ble, but these will cost in the region of £24,000 each.After a brief test drive no doubt this Kizashi D-segment four door saloon is more compact than the main opposition in this sector like the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia.
It is more in keeping with the new Subaru Impreza saloon although it has been benchmarked by Suzuki against the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.
It looks purposeful and has a nice sporty stance. The specification is high, the ride comfort was first class even allowing for the lowered suspension and 18-inch wheels.
The selectable two or four wheel drive system was also very capable and I think it is an advantage for the driver to be able to select two or all wheel drive depending on the road conditions.
The 2.4-litre, four cylinder, 178PS/230Nm petrol engine with the CVT transmission partnership works very well, very responsive but the 191g/km CO2 emissions are high so the £425 VED road tax costs for the First Year rate, followed by £235 for the second year onwards are costly as is the £24,000 predicted price.
Officially this model will return 34mpg – on test my figure was 27.4mpg.
Kizashi in Japanese means ‘A sign of great things to come’. A little optimistic perhaps given the price of petrol, no diesel engine option and the purchase price which is puts it in a new area of the market that Suzuki dealers will have to get used to.
Suzuki Splash specification
Four models make up the Splash range. The 1.0-litre is available in SZ3 trim; the 1.2 model in either SZ3 or SZ4 grades with an automatic transmission available on the SZ4 model.
Splash 1.0-litre SZ3 and 1.2-litre SZ3 models offer a high equipment list as standard including four airbags, CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-trimmed steering wheel; remote central locking; front electric windows with driver’s auto-down; manual air conditioning; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; height-adjustable front seats; tilt adjustable steering wheel; and an information display.
Step up from SZ3 1.2-litre to SZ4 and the standard specification is even higher with Electronic Stability Programme, curtain shield airbags, 15-inch alloys, front foglamps and privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate.
Splash is a very apt name for this model as it really doesn’t require the owner to splash out on too much money to buy the car or on high-priced petrol.
