European Suzuki Kizashi Sedan to Bow at Geneva Motor Show

At this year's International Motor Show in Geneva in the beginning of March, Suzuki will unveil the European market version of its new Kizashi saloon that's already on sale in North America and Japan. In Europe, Suzuki's mid-size sedan will play in the D-segment rivaling cars such as the Ford Mondeo, Citroen C5, Toyota Avensis, VW Passat and Opel Insignia.

The company said that it will offer the Kizashi with all-wheel drive as standard while power will be provided by the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine used on the N.A.-spec model.

The four-cylinder unit churns out 185 HP when linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and 178HP when mated to a CVT.

The Japanese maker is also planning to expand the Kizashi's range in the very near future with a more powerful V6 petrol engine as well as a hybrid version, though it is not clear if these variants will make it to Europe.

We don't know yet if it's technically feasible (and economically viable), but Suzuki's recent tie up with Volkswagen could see the Kizashi sedan being offered with a much-needed in Europe, diesel engine sourced from the German Group.

Together with the Kizashi, Suzuki will also display in Geneva the Swift Plug-in Hybrid that was first introduced at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show as well as new variants of the three-and five-door Grand Vitara with a redesigned rear hatch that does away with the spare tire box.

Refreshed 2010 Suzuki SX4 with New Petrol Engine Arrives in the UK

Suzuki's mildly updated SX4 hatchback (also sold in Europe with the Fiat Sedici badge) has made its way into the UK with the front-wheel drive petrol models on sale now and the 4x4 petrol and diesel versions to follow in April. The five-door crossover model has been revised for 2010 with some subtle styling and interior changes as well as an introduction of a new 1.6-liter petrol engine that offers 10 per cent more power, 10 per cent lower fuel consumption and 12 per cent fewer emissions than the previous unit.

The new 1.6-liter VVT churns out 120HP and 156Nm or 115 lb-ft of peak torque and can be linked to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The gasoline unit is available in either SZ3 or SZ4 2WD (front-wheel drive) format or as a 4x4 SZ5 model with selectable/automatic four-wheel drive.

According to Suzuki, the petrol SX4 with a manual transmission and FWD can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 185km/h or 115mph while returning 6.2lt/100km or 45.6mpg UK on the combined EU cycle with 143g/km of CO2 emissions.

For those that prefer diesel power, Suzuki offers the 1.6-liter DDiS unit with 90HP and 215Nm or 159 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the SX4 goes from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 12.2 seconds and returns a combined 4.9lt/100km or 57.6mpg UK.

On the outside, the 2010 Suzuki SX4 hatch gets a redesigned front bumper and grill together with newly styled 16-inch alloy wheels.

Interior refinements include the revised lower centre dashboard panel that houses a new display, the updated instrument cluster that incorporates a driver information display for average and instantaneous fuel consumption, fuel range and outside temperature, and the illuminated audio controls on the steering wheel.

In addition, Suzuki said that the SX4 also gets a larger engine under shield cover together with improved transmission damping and increased rigidity of body parts

Prices for the 2010 SX4 start from £11,640 for the SZ3 petrol version with a manual gearbox.