To be totally honest, I’m more interested in Hybrid fuel economy than football.  Maybe there was something weird in the water where I grew up, or maybe I just agree with Ernest Hemmingway: “There are three real sports: mountain climbing, bull fighting, and car racing.  Everything else is just games.”

Regardless, I hard it find to fake enthusiasm for the Super Bowl.  This year some overpaid athletes in spandex played against some other overpaid athletes in Spandex for the title of something.  Yay.  But I don’t need to fake my enthusiasm for the advertisements.  Manufacturers spend vast sums of money to get ads in the superbowl; it’s the highest-viewed event every year in the US, but at $3.5M USD per 30-second spot, they try especially hard to make ‘em stick.

These are the car ads from this year’s Super Bowl -- some good, some not.  Check ‘em out, and let us know which was your favorite in the poll at the bottom.

Volkswagen’s always had good superbowl ads.  Last year it was the Darth Vader kid with the new Passat; this year it’s a dog inspired by the Beetle to lose enough weight so he can fit out the doggie door.  Adorable, and the cameo by Vader at the end is pretty funny as well.  I’d give it an A-

Is the fact that you can chuck one out of a plane supposed to make us think the Sonic’s a cool car?  Because it would’ve been a lot cooler if they’d skipped the parachute; just saying.  I give it a C.

Much better, nothing like a sarcastic pot shot at your competition while making fun of the Mayan Apocalypse prediction.  Legitimately humorous.  A.

I just wish Suzuki’s US sales were as good as their advertisements are.  This one’s for the AWD Kizashi, which is a pretty damn nice car.  An Eskimo trades his sled in for a Kizashi, with 50 cent as the background music.  I like it.

I was a fan of Fiat’s “Seduction” ad for the 500 Abarth when I first saw it a few months back.  It’s still quite good, substituting a metaphorical Italian hottie (her name’s Catrinel Menghia, and she’s actually Romanian -- here’s her twitter if you’re interested) for a 500 Abarth.  I can’t wait to drive one of these things.

I love Acura’s spot for the 2015 NSX.  Jerry Seinfeld is trying to get his hands on the first NSX, but someone else’s got it -- so he tries everything he can to trade.  Almost got it, then Leno steps in…

I’m starting to think Chrysler’s less interested in actually advertising their cars (some of which are actually quite nice) than giving us all a preachy economics lesson, which is obnoxious.  It’s less obnoxious when Clint Eastwood is doing it -- but only just.  They went through slightly more than $7m of ad money before showing us a Chrysler product; must be made of money.  Also, isn’t Clint more of a Ford man?

Kia’s ads are funny, when they don’t include Blake Griffin.  Your mileage may vary, but their spot for the Optima -- “A Dream Car. For Real LIfe” is amusing, if formulaic.  I’ll take a piece of the giant hoagie!

Kinda disappointing; Ferris Bueller should be driving a Ferrari, not a mommy-mobile Honda CR-V.  Literally: My mom has one.  Thumbs down.

Love Audi’s spot for the A7.  LED headlights kill vampires!  Perhaps this is a shot at Volvo, who sponsored the latest Twilight movie?

BMW might not be the only manufacturer who’s cars will read your texts to you, but so far they’re the only ones who’ve done something funny with it in an ad.  I like the honk censoring the swear word as he backs out of the driveway.

Speaking of BMW, why is Cadillac so intent on comparing themselves to the 3-series?  It’s cool that the ATS is basically an Americanized carbon copy of the 3, but maybe they could’ve focused more on why it’s better.

Heh.  Hyundai’s ads.  The Genesis 3.8 R-Spec can act as a makeshift AED if your boss has a heart attack while you’re on the road in the middle of no-where.

The other Hyundai ad was for the new Veloster Turbo, which I can’t wait to take for a spin.  Kudos to Hyundai for including tire smoke in both of their superbowl ads this year.  The premise is that while the Turbo is faster than a Cheetah, make sure when you let the Cheetah out you’re at a safe distance?  Thanks for the PSA, Hyundai.

And the last one.  I’m not sure if Cars.com was going for funny or creepy here, but I think they landed closer to “creepy.”

Which was your favorite car ad?  Vote in the poll below!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I’m admittedly a little late to the party here.  This is not exactly a new car: the Suzuki Kizashi midsize sedan went on sale in the US market at the beginning of December 2009 as a 2010 model, so it’s closing in on two years old.  My question, then – why can I count the number of these cars I’ve seen on the road since then on my own two hands?  I was curious.  the Kizashi is, in my opinion at least, a pretty good looking midsize sedan with appealing specifications and an almost too-reasonable price.  Why aren’t there more of these things buzzing around?  After driving one, I’m even more curious – this is a really nice car.

First, some background.  The Kizashi is the top of Suzuki’s model lineup in the US, slotting above the SX4 hatchback and sedan.  It’s the replacement for the unloved Verona, which you’re forgiven for not remembering.  That’s been the big issue with Suzuki cars in the US: while the rest of the world gets real, actual Suzukis (like the Swift Sport – dear Suzuki, I want one), for about the last decade we’d been getting GM-Daewoo knockoffs.

Why you so angry, Suzuki?

Cars like the Reno, Forenza and Verona (which for some reason had a transverse-mounted inline six)  were seemingly designed about 6 product cycles ago.  There was, to put it nicely, nothing to recommend them to anyone.  Poorly built, not particularly comfortable or well equipped or fun, it was a lowest-common-denominator kind of product.  Which is odd for a company that produces some of the world’s best-engineered motorcycles.

So the separation from General Motors was probably a good thing for Suzuki, because ask Daewoo-  if you pedal crap in this country long enough, you’ll be asked to leave.  The SX4 and Kizashi aren’t exactly lighting the sales charts on fire, but they seem like good cars.  The Vitara has always been a capable off-roader, and it’s a surprisingly nice product as well.

Step into the Kizashi, and it’s immediately evident that all the traces of “bad Suzuki” are gone.  There aren’t leftover Verona or Forenza parts here.  The cabin is, umm, pretty damn nice – even just from a materials quality standpoint.  Soft-touch plastics where they should be, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum trim and bulges in all the right spots, modern standard panel gaps, this is a Suzuki?  This is not lowest-common-denominator.

kinda looks like an Acura.

The design itself is thankfully conventional.  If you’re not fond of bizarre double tiered analog-and-digital dashboards, or center mounted speedometers, or “motorcycle styling,” or any of the other things manufacturers will pull these days to make cheap plastic seem cool, you’ll like the Kizashi.  You sit in it, and hey!  Everything is exactly where it should be!  Maybe I’m just prematurely turning into an old fart, but I tend to appreciate logical control placement.

Steering wheel hand controls that make sense!

Interior features are a strong suit on the Kizashi, especially at the price point.  Small stuff – like a tilting/telescoping steering wheel, and a seat you can actually adjust in a way that is comfortable – sometimes go amiss at this level, but they’re here.  Then there’s the glitzy tech stuff.  I continue to see no problem with inserting a key into an ignition and turning it to start the engine, but I suppose the Kizashi’s standard push-button keyless start is nice too.  The upper level Kizashis have a 425w stereo by Rockford Fosgate, with 10 speakers and an integrated subwoofer.  There’s a USB port and iPod connectivity through the factory head unit, and Bluetooth hands free is an option as well.  Dual-zone climate control keeps marital road-trip squabbling to a minimum.  Audio, Bluetooth, and cruise control functions are all in logical places on the steering wheel as well.  A small note:  I prefer these roller-type volume controls on the wheel, rather than the buttons you have to push repeatedly – it’s a nice touch.

Gauges are legible even in direct sunlight

The gauges are well-marked, and the tunnels they sit in help prevent wash-out from sunlight.  The small digital display in between reads odometer and fuel economy numbers while you’re driving – what is up with these “instant fuel economy” gauges that manufacturers use?  I don’t understand the point of knowing how many MPG’s you’re getting at one instant, the figure is an average.  I blame the BMW MPG “Swingometer” for this trend.

Size-wise, the Kizashi is marketed as mid-size, but the dimensions are a lot closer to conventional compact sedans in the US – it’s about the size of the current Jetta in most dimensions.  Compared to the VW, the wheelbase is 48mm longer, it’s 42mm wider, and it’s 23mm longer overall.  Mid-size?  Well, an Accord is quite a bit bigger – 100mm longer wheelbase, 27mm wider, and 280mm longer overall.  So call it a healthy compact sedan.  There’s room for four full sized adults comfortably, although a fifth could be coerced in.

Seen one of these on the road yet?

The exterior styling is good, for the most part.  It’s almost like they couldn’t decide between interesting and conventional, so they went for interesting on the ends, and normal in the middle.  There’s no swooping “4-door-coupe” greenhouse – it actually looks a little like a Cobalt sedan from the side – but the front and rear have a highly sculpted appearance that reminds me a lot of the current Sonata – which I mean in a good way.

Fake tail pipes: a lot more acceptable on a $23k Suzuki than a $60k Lexus IS-F.

One of the most interesting things are the exhaust exits molded into the bumper, in satin-metal finish.  Like most other integrated exhausts, it’s not actually – if you look inside, there are small tail pipes jutting into them, but it certainly makers the bumper look more interesting.  There aren’t a whole lot of straight lines to be found anywhere on the Kizashi, and while sometimes it seems overstyled (tail lights, grille), it does stand out in the sea of beige on the roads.

The GTS Sport model adds some attractive 18″ wheels, and more importantly a stiffer suspension setup with a 10mm lower static ride height.  Base model Kizashi S’s have steelies with hubcaps, and if I’m honest they look a bit out of proportion – so just from an “impressing the neighbors” standpoint the Sport package helps.

There is an engine under there, and it doesn’t face front to back.  I don’t understand engine pictures covers.

All Kizashis in the US get power from a 2.4L four-cylinder.  Nothing especially fancy – a twin-cam 16v MPFI engine with intake-side VVT, this four is actually derived from the Vitara’s engine.  It makes 185 horsepower (at 6,500rpm) and 170lb-ft of torque (at 4,000rpm) when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, like my test car.  A Jatco CVT is an option (as is Suzuki’s push-button i-AWD system, only with the CVT) and that reduces the pony count to 180.  No direct injection or turbocharging or a V6 option – this is the only engine the Kizashi comes with.  It was originally intended to have GM’s 3.6L 24v V6 as an option, but GM and Suzuki broke ties and the plan fell through.  There are rumors that the turbo, intercooled engine in the Kizashi Apex concept will go into production, but we’ll see.

Suspension is also typical – Macpherson Struts up front, multi-link independent rear, with anti-roll bars at both ends.  Suzuki has also jumped on the “components by x” trend; the shocks are KYB’s and the brake components are supplied by Akebono.

Funny that anything smaller than this looks goofy.

How’s it drive?  Well, that’s the thing: surprisingly well.  The first thing you notice is how quiet it is, all the time.  You can tell a lot of attention was paid to keeping road and engine noise down – there are cloth wheel well liners, for one.  The whole thing is quite refined.  I’d forgotten how light the clutch is on most Japanese cars, and almost put it through the firewall a few times when I first took off.  Clutch takeup is predictable and the pedal is softly sprung; this would be a pretty easy car to teach someone to drive stick in.  The six-speed manual has long throws but is precise and smooth; it feels like the gearchange in a GTI, basically.

It even looks like a VW shifter.

On the road, the creepy quietness continues.  The 2.4L just doesn’t make a lot of sound, even at higher rpm’s – which is nice, because if you want to make rapid progress you’ll be there a lot.  It’s a bit low on torque for a 2.4L, despite the 10.0:1 compression ratio, but the cooperative gearbox, good spread of ratios, and easy clutch mean multiple downshifts aren’t a chore.  Unlike a lot of “bigger” I4′s, this one doesn’t have any roughness or concrete-in-a-blender noises towards redline, either.  The CVT would likely do a better job of keeping the engine near it’s torque peak, but probably at the expense of most of the driving fun.

The suspension on the Sport Models (GTS, SLS) is well judged.  It’s never overly harsh, taking rough pavement in stride, and body roll is pretty minimal.  It’s impressive how well this car handles given it’s intended demographic – it’s not an Evo, but the GTS could potentially please those both looking for a fun to drive car, and a comfortable ride while they’re taking the kids to school.  The seats are comfortable and supportive enough that you’re not hanging onto the steering wheel in corners, and the brakes have good pedal feel.  The steering is electric-power assisted, and you can tell – it’s really too light, never really weighting up like you might want it to on a longer corner, and somewhat slack just off center.  It won’t light your hair on fire, but it’s fun to hustle down a curvy road – which is more than can be said about most of the cars in this segment.

Quite a curvy car, no?

The biggest impression it leaves you with is refinement, though.  Perhaps it’s a case of overshooting expectations; I expect a Camry or Accord to be a smooth operator.  For a brand without a strong reputation in the US, the Kizashi is an overachiever.  It’s smooth, slick, and quiet in everything it does.  It feels like a fully developed, modern product – and it’s pretty fun to drive as an added bonus.

What I really see the Kizashi as is not a CamCordSonata competitor.  It’s too small, the sales volume will never be there, and the dealer network won’t either.  What it is though, is the car for all the people who are trading in their high-mileage MkV Jettas, who took a ten minute test drive in the new one and shook their head in disappointment.  While VW has lost the plot with their budget family/sport sedan, Suzuki seems to have picked it up, which is kind of cool.  The same could be said of the previous generation Acura TSX and Mazda 6, which both moved up in size and luxury appointments, and down in the fun to drive department.

I am under the impression the government told them to stick those orange turn signals there.

The one last thing worth mentioning about the Kizashi: man, this thing is a good value.  My test car, which has almost all the “stuff” I would ever really want in a car, stickered at $23,669 including destination.  All Suzukis come with a 7-year, 70,000 mile inclusive powertrain warranty with a $0 deductible.  Suzuki should be pitching this car against smaller sports sedans like the Acura TSX, Audi A3, Buick Regal (Opel Insignia) and Volvo S40.  And while it doesn’t have as much power or luxury features as most of them, it undercuts all their price tags by a large amount.  And while it’s more expensive than the most basic new Jetta, that’s because that Jetta has a 20 year old 2.0L 8v engine with 115 horsepower under the hood.  And a torsion-beam rear end.  And a McDonald’s interior, and styling inspired by refrigerators.

So, back to the original question.  If this car has been for sale for almost 2 years now, why haven’t we seen many of them?  Well, it certainly isn’t because the car’s bad.  It’s actually a pretty great car, especially considering the price tag and competition.  It’s got a great interior, a lot of the tech goodies people like these days, and it’s fun to drive.  It’s probably more down to a lack of publicity, and the negative perception of Suzuki cars in this country as the lowest common denominator.  If you want that, you’re going to have to look else.  (like, say, a Mitsubishi dealership.)  If you’re in the market for a mid-size fun sedan, the Kizashi deserves a test drive.

2012 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS

Base price: $22,249
Price as tested: $23,669
Options: Floor & Cargo Mats ($210), Metallic Paint ($130), Bluetooth Hands Free w/ Wireless Audio Streaming ($250), Trunk Sub-Floor Organizer w/ First Aid Kit ($65), Destination & Handling Charges ($765)

Body: 4-door unit construction sedan
Drivetrain: Transverse front-engine, front wheel drive.  6 speed manual transmission
Accomodations: 5 passengers

Engine: Inline 4-cylinder, aluminum block & head
Displacement: 2393cc (2.4L, 146 in³)
Aspiration: n/a
Fuel delivery: Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection
Valvetrain: Dual overhead camshafts, 4v/cylinder, Variable Intake Cam Timing
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Horsepower: 185bhp@6,500rpm
Torque: 170lb-ft@4,000rpm
Rev limit: 6,500rpm

Suspension (F): MacPherson Struts, Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
Suspension (R): 5-link Independent, Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
Steering: Rack & Pinion, Electronic Power Assistance
Wheels/Tires: 18″ alloy, 234/45/18 Dunlop
Brakes (F/R): Vented disc/Solid disc (Akebono), ABS

0-60mph: 7.4s
Top speed: 124mph
1/4 Mile@ET: 15.6s @ 90 mph

EPA fuel mileage estimate: 20 city/ 29 highway/ 24.5 combined
Recommended fuel: Regular
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.6 gallons
Theoretical Range: 481 miles

Wheelbase: 106.3″
Length: 183.1″
Track (F/R): 61.6″/61.6″
Width: 71.7″
Height: 58.3″
Cargo Capacity: 13.3ft³
Curb weight: 3241lbs

Main Competitors: Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Accord, Acura TSX, Buick Regal, Volvo S40, Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy
Pros: This is a Suzuki?  High quality, well designed and equipped interior.  Interesting looks.  Well-composed chassis, good handling, eerily quiet and smooth ride.
Cons: Car – short on torque, no optional engine, MPG behind more mainstream rivals, not a lot of steering feel, no manual/AWD option.  Suzuki – bad reputation unfairly leads to bad resale, sparse dealers, no one knows what it is.
Conclusion: The replacement for your MkV Jetta/ 1st generation Mazda 6/ 04-08 Acura TSX is here, if you’re disappointed by the new one.  Why aren’t there more of these around?  They’re great cars.

Thanks again to Matt Webb at Capital Ford/Suzuki for the test drive!  If you’re in the Raleigh area and looking for a Kizashi, or a Ford, check them out.

Continuing along with the rest of the new stuff at NYIAS this year, welcome to Part 2 of our “best of the rest” coverage, a sort of all-at-once splurt of information to keep you up to date on the latest developments, without boring you to death with new paint colors for the Kia Optima.  Here we go.

2012 Subaru Impreza Sedan/Hatchback

Subaru has finally come to their senses with the Impreza.  While it’s always been a relatively fun-to-drive car even in non-turbocharged form, it hasn’t really experienced great sales in the economy-car market compared to more conventional rivals.  The biggest reason would be the big-car fuel economy in a small, unrefined package.  The current Impreza 2.5i makes a fairly impressive 173bhp from it’s single-cam 2.5L horizontally opposed four, but the EPA ratings of 20/27 for a 2.5i sedan are just… well, bad.  It makes it a hard purchase to justify – Imprezas are thirsty machines, even if they’re really quite capable.

For 2012, the Impreza is getting a significant rethink, not just an update.  It’s lighter, has a smaller engine, it’s more efficient, but it has more interior space.  The wheelbase is stretched an inch, but the overhangs have been clipped to give it a more solid stance and increased interior room and better visibility.  It’s been given a conservative styling job, with well-defined lines and a look of “miniature legacy” about it.  Despite the increased interior dimensions, it’s also lighter than the car it replaces.

Which is good, because it’s got less power.  Gone is the venerable EJ25, a 2.5L SOHC flat-four that had been continually updated and refined since the early 90′s.  The new Impreza gets a 2.0L variant of Subaru’s new flat-four engine family, which debuted in 2.5L form in the recently updated Forester.  Advancements over the old engine include a switch to twin-cam heads for both banks, equipped with variable cam timing on the intake and exhaust to broaden the power curve and increase responsiveness.  The stroke of the engine relative to the bore is longer than the old EJ25, boosting low-end torque – a good thing considering the drop in displacement.  Power output is listed at 148bhp and 145lb-ft of torque, which is a significant drop from the previous mode.  Transmission choices (for now) are a 5-speed manual, or a second-generation Lineartronic CVT mated exclusively to electronic AWD.  The benefit of the engine downsizing?  The new Impreza will be the most fuel-efficient AWD car in America, taking the title from the relatively obsure Suzuki SX4 Sportback.  36mpg in CVT form is a huge jump from the previous model.  The question is, will it be worth it?  The previous non-turbo Impreza was a pretty punchy car, way more fun to drive than smaller-engined rivals like the Civic and Corolla, and close to the 2.5L Jetta/Rabbit for fuel efficiency but offering better handling.  The new one will likely feel a bit pokey in comparison, but these days compact sales live and die by the MPG sticker.  We’ll see.

Nissan Nismo LEAF RC

Really?  A NISMO racing version of Nissan’s Leaf electric car?  It’s not April 1st.  Come on guys.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Maybe I can learn to hate the Panamera less, when it blasts from 0-60 in a twin-turbocharged, AWD-enhanced 3.6 seconds.  Damn!  The extra oomph over the “regular” (500 horsepower) Panamera Turbo comes from new turbochargers (with titanium-aluminum turbines!) and an ECU remap on the 4.8L direct-injected V8, which boosts power from 500bhp to 550bhp, and torque jumps from 516lb-ft to 553lb-ft.  In “Sport” or “Sport+” mode, the engine enters “Overboost” mode (one of my favorite cool-sounding if someone stupid terms), which delivers increased peak torque of 800nM (or 590lb-ft), as well as during transmission kickdown.

Other enhancements include Turbo-S specific 20″ split-five spoke alloys, a wider rear axle, Turbo S badges, Porsche Exclusive side skirts, and two-two leather inside.  The fastest of Panamera’s is about on par with a GT3 RS from 0-60mph, which is nuts – of course, that 3.6s 0-60 time is possible thanks to permanent 4WD and the launch-control function of Porsche’s 7-speed twin clutch gearbox.  The Turbo S will also top out at 191mpg, which I will remind you is not far short of the iconic 959′s top end.  All this can be yours for the entirely reasonable price tag of $173,00… before options, as usual with Porsches.  And as always with the Panamera, the whole “fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down” comes standard as well.  At least it’s nice-looking inside!  You’ll also be able to get this upgraded engine in the Cayenne soon, too.

2012 Kia Rio

The Kia Rio, Kia’s smallest offering in the US, gets a full redesign along with it’s brother the Hyundai Accent, for 2012.  The styling is a welcome depart from the frumpy old Rio, which was a decent low-end car but about as interesting as watching C-SPAN on Valium.  The new one promises more features, more room, more power, and better fuel economy (a mantra that’s become quite familiar these days.)  The Peter Schreyer styling carries Kia’s latest corporate “face” to good effect, and as usual it’ll be available in a 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatchback for the US market.  Power comes from the new 1.6L GDI 16v I4 that’s spreading across the Kia/Hyundai lineup (it’s also under the hood of the upcoming Veloster), with 138bhp going through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.  Engine stop/start technology will be available on the new Rio as well, which helps it achieve it’s EPA ratings of 30 city/ 40 highway.

The biggest step forward has got to be that interior, though.  I mean, whoa.  This is a Kia Rio?  What’s the world coming to?

Suzuki Kizashi Concepts – Apex and EcoCharge

I like the Suzuki Kizashi.  It’s got some sporting genes, it’s a nice size in between Civic and Camry, you can get it with a 6-speed stick, it looks nice, and the price is reasonable.  What it needs, though, is a lot more horsepower.  (What doesn’t need a lot more horsepower?)  To rectify this, Suzuki has boosted the 2.4L I4 under the Kizashi’s hood.  With a Garrett GT2871R turbocharger (one of my personal favorites for 1.8-2.8L I4/I6 engines), an air-to-water intercooler, electronic boost control, and other supporting modifications the Kizashi should make between 275-300bhp on only 8.5 pounds of boost.

The Apex concept is wrapped in livery inspired by Suzuki’s racing superbikes, to draw a closer connection between their four-and-two wheeled creations – something they’ve been trying to due for a while.  The Apex concept rides on 19″ wheels shod with super-sticky 245/35/19 Yokohama s.Drive tires.  This obviously isn’t a production model, but considering how many turbocharged Kizashi concepts they’ve thrown out there (remember the red one built by Road Race Engineering?), it seems likely – especially considering all the in-house development done on this engine.

The other Kizashi concept is the EcoCharge hybrid, which is less interesting but likely a lot more relevant.  The EcoCharge combines a 2.0L gas engine with a 6-speed automatic and a 15kW electric motor fed by a 115v air-cooled Li-Ion battery, which should be good for a 25% improvement over the regular Kizashi’s 30mpg highway rating.  The EcoCharge also has regenerative braking, start-stop engine technology, and low resistance tires for added economy.  No word on production intent, but this is all existing technology, so I’d recommend they hit the “go” button on both of these.  I’ll take an Apex, please.

And finally, the…

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept

Rounding out our coverage of this year’s NYIAS is Mercedes’ striking A-class concept car, which previews the upcoming next-generation A-class, to be sold here in the US, finally.  Gone is the upright, staid styling of the previous A-class, replaced with a more fluid, dynamic appearance intended to lure in younger buyers.

Being a concept car, one shouldn’t expect the production version to look just like this – probably not the huge wheels, the trippy grille material, or the super-low stance, but this is the general shape.  Powering the A-class concept is a 2.0L turbocharged I4 delivering 210bhp to the front wheels through a twin-clutch automatic – a variation of an engine family we should be seeing a lot more of in the near future.

Fiat 500C Convertible

The 500C is not news to our European readers, who have been enjoying it for a while now.  For the US-market, though, it’s the next variation on Fiat/Chrysler’s 500 microcar.  The 500C is the “convertible” version of the 500, although that’s a loose term: it has a full-length canvas roof mounted on sliding panels that folds back and down to give you a more open-air experience.  it still retains the roof rails for structural rigidity, unlike competitors such as the Mini Cooper Convertible or the Beetle Cabriolet.  Otherwise, it’s the same thing as the regular 500 – a 1.4L Multiair 16v I4 with 101bhp, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

The 500C is arriving this spring in either Pop (base model) or Lounge (swanky model) trims – no Sport model with the stiffer suspension and larger wheel/tire package.  Rumor has it that we’re also getting a soft-topped 500 Abarth in the US, so maybe that will take care of it.  The 500C arrives at Fiat Studios in the US this spring, so we should be seeing them soon.

Also, there have been Suzuki-sanctioned extreme models like the Bonneville Special Kizashi. That car broke a speed record for its class, hitting 203.720 mph. A significant upgrade package comes now with the Platinum Edition Suzuki Kizashi from Road Race Motorsports.

RRM says the Platinum Edition Kizashi can “boss around most double priced European Sport sedans” and that is a pretty big claim. Stylistically, we aren’t too sure about those side sticker decals, but the ground effects package and rims look good.

The Platinum Edition Kizashi is available from RRM in a variety of configurations  - you can customize it pretty much any way you like. Like maybe dumping those decals?

The particular car pictured is fully-equipped, with RRM’s top shelf 300 horsepower. turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. There also is an beefed up braking system, anti-roll bars and a stiffened chassis.

Suspension packages are offered in Stages 1,2 and 3 and there are “2 or 3 levels of dress up” packages for the exterior available. Road Race’s exclusive line of wheels are available in 18 and 19 inch sizes.

RRM offers the engine in 200 and 300 hp versions, up from the 185 hp figure of the standard car. RRM says it has seen a lot of interest in the car from countries around the world and is currently working to fulfill orders.

Apparently, the package is done in consultation with Suzuki and will be available through the brand’s dealers. No word on pricing has been received from the company. We’re interested in seeing how much these various packages cost.

For now, Suzuki is making waves – big ones, in the performance industry by breaking the speed record for its class. It all starts out with a Kizashi modified to produce 500 horsepower from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder.

That is accomplished using a Turbonetics turbocharger at 16 psi, forged rods and pistons, an intercooler, new intake manifold and tuned “long tube” header to boost the 2.4-liter four-cylinder over 500 horsepower.

Other modifications include seam welded steel wheels, coilover shocks, special Goodyear tires and a front air dam. As for safety at these speeds, the team added a parachute system to slow down, as well as a fire system.

The actual speed set by the Bonneville Special Kizashi is 203.720 mph, beating the record by 1.419 mph.The car was piloted by Sam Mitani from Road & Track. We think it was a great idea to build buzz around the Kizashi. Good job, Suzuki! Check out a video of the record-breaking run below.

As part of a promotional campaign surrounding the car’s launch, they are announcing the Kizashi Test Drive Challenge incentive program that kicked off on Wednesday.

Ever since introducing the Kizashi, Suzuki has tried to position the car as sort of an alternative to luxury brands. The feature list is quite lengthy, and while technically “mid-size”, it actually is more on the compact end of the spectrum.

I applauded it at introduction for the possibilities: a starting price of $18,999, a manual transmission, and the likelihood of great driving characteristics. Still, I never expected it to be compared against vehicles like the Audi A4 and Acura TSX. Apparently, Suzuki thinks differently.

Suzuki is offering $100 (or a “stored value debit card”, depending on state laws) to customers  who – get this, drive the Kizashi and still purchase either a 2010 Audi A4 2.0T or a 4-cylinder 2010 Acura TSX within 10 days. Pretty interesting program – paying people the $100 if they don’t buy your car.

“The Kizashi was designed and engineered to offer a premium driving experience consistent with the near-luxury sport sedan segment,” says Koichi Suzuki - “We’re definitely putting Kizashi’s premium without the premium moniker to the test.” Indeed! If just a few sales come out of this program, I’m sure Suzuki will have considered it worth it.

Ask about their automobiles on other hand and you’ll get a different answer, as Suzuki has found it difficult translating that excitement to its automotive division.

That is something they are looking to change with a product offensive here in the United States. That plan begins with the Kizashi – its name translated from Japanese means “something great is coming.”

Today Suzuki has announced pricing for the trim levels of the entire lineup. There are four: Kizashi S, SE, GTS and the most upscale model,  SLS.

As rumored, the base Kizashi S comes in at only $18,999. The base Kizashi promises to offer a good value for your money as well in the feature set, with standard power windows, doors and mirrors, nine-speaker stereo, eight airbags, and the requisite safety systems. Standard push button start and projector beam headlamps too – in a $19K sedan?

The main things to get excited about for those looking for a sporty sedan are the car’s driving characteristics, available six-speed manual and 180 horsepower 4-cylinder.

The next model is SE, and it ranges in price from $21,499 to $22,749. SE adds 17-inch alloy rims, a power driver’s seat, leather steering wheel and cruise control. The main change on the SE versus the S is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in place of a traditional automatic.

The sportiest Kizashi is the GTS, available with either a six-speed manual or a performance-tuned CVT with paddle shifters. It ranges in price from $22,499 to $24,849. The GTS adds 18-inch wheels, power moonroof, ten speaker 425-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, Bluetooth audio capability, hands free calling and voice command.

Starting to get the idea? These cars are feature-packed! Last but not least is the uplevel SLS that ranges from $24,399 to $26,749. It adds heated leather seats, a universal garage door opener, auto head lamps, proximity sensors and rain sensing wipers.

No word yet on pricing for the Kizashi’s AWD system. One thing is clear though: this car is just begging for a high-performance variant. Suzuki probably has one in the works, along with the V6 variant. A turbocharged or supercharged 4-cylinder would be fine with me though!

Suzuki recently held a media event for the Kizashi, and the reviews from the press are starting to trickle in. Unsurprisingly, they are quite good. From the first time the car was revealed, I was impressed with what it had to offer.

The Kizashi’s styling doesn’t break any new ground (it looks a like the Jetta in the front) but it is good looking, and most importantly seems to offer a good performance value. The specifications list on the standard car is excellent: 2.4L I-4 making around 180-200 horsepower (estimated), 6 speed manual and a pricetag below $20K.

Suzuki is positioning it as a bargain alternative to cars like the Audi A4 and Acura TSX. A V-6 model is in the works now, although the introduction date is unknown. The journalists attending the event got to drive the basically completed V6 mule,  which utilizes GM’s 3.6 liter V-6. It definitely isn’t just speculation, Suzuki is putting the finishing touches on it now. I can’t wait to see a full-blown performance variant – Suzuki has got to make one.

Suzuki has now recognized this and is working to do just that in it’s products as well as advertising. One of the first examples of this is the Suzuki Kizashi mid-size sedan. According to Suzuki, the name Kizashi “tells us something great is coming.”

I think they’re right! For some reason I really have taken to this car. I like the clean, modern and forward-looking design. In addition, Suzuki’s expertise in packaging small cars has resulted in a car with larger interior space then expected for it’s size.

While it’s categorized as a mid-size vehicle, the Kizashi is smaller than the segment’s current norms. It all works together to achieve Suzuki’s performance goals for the car.

The whole aim of the Kizashi is to provide a premium sports sedan feel for a low price. Suzuki said they didn’t want to produce just another soulless appliance. At launch, one engine engine will be available: a 2.4L DOHC inline-four. Curiously, horsepower numbers haven’t been released for the engine – supposedly those will come closer to the car’s launch.  Also, a V6 is rumored to be in the works for a future launch.

Suzuki says the “driving experience was validated on Germany’s Autobahn, Switzerland’s Alpine twisties, cobblestone roads of rural England and the legendary Nürburgring”. Some pretty serious testing there!

To that end, the Kizashi has been equipped with high-performance dampers, a multi-link rear suspension with “embedded aluminum” and 4-wheel disc brakes sourced from Akebono, a world-leader in braking systems.

Some of the intended competitors Suzuki has listed include the Acura TSX, VW Passat and Alfa Romeo 159, an undoubtedly ambitious goal to tackle at this price point.

Inside the design is thoroughly in line with the car’s sporting mission and upscale ambitions. Some of the standard features Suzuki offers in here are sports seats and a keyless push-to-start system most commonly seen in high-end makes. Other features like iPod connectivity are standard as well and there is an available option for “streaming audio via Bluetooth”.

From what I can tell now, I think Suzuki has really delivered with the Kizashi inside and out – and they deserve to succeed.  If the claims about a truly sporty driving experience are true (which I’d love to be able to verify), I think Suzuki could have a winner on it’s hands with the Kizashi.

Update:

I noticed Suzuki also took some pictures of the interior in a tan color. I think it helps break things up! Check it out:

After some speculation that the car was being cancelled, a victim of the downturn, Suzuki recently confirmed that the car is still on track for a launch in December of this year.  Spy shots bear that out, as Suzuki continues to test the car. I’m quite impressed with what I’m seeing!

Check out that interior!  Not anything revolutionary (did you expect it to be though?) for the segment but definitely well put together, with a nice design.  I’m impressed; think it should do very well when put up against the competition.

The Kizashi Concept wasn’t an exact preview; expect the car to be toned down significantly from the concept. Character seems to still remain in the design however.  Ahead of the New York International Auto Show the car was spied (again on Autoblog) that showed the car’s headlights and a much better view of the overall design.  Surprisingly, from what I saw, I actually liked that better than the concept. 

I’ll be able to tell much better once Suzuki’s official press release comes out. I sure hope it’s a looker! We don’t need another boring mid-size sedan in the world. Maybe with their motorsports heritage they’ll put an emphasis on sports models. You never know, right? We can hope. Either way I’m looking forward to checking out Suzuki’s new mid-size sedan! It’s a place where they haven’t really played before.

For images of the Kizashi, check out Autoblog’s Gallery.