[1]It’s obvious why Maruti Suzuki notched up over a million sales last year, becoming the first car manufacturer in India to do so. Its superb sales and service network across the country set the trend for the competition to match; none have been able to match the Maruti service network thus far. As a result, any new car launch from Maruti has the uncanny ability to excite prospective car owners. Maruti Suzuki Kizashi’s release has been met with such enthusiasm.
The Kizashi is not just an upmarket SX4; instead its styling seems more mature, with an appealing mix of sportiness and understated elegance. A large cross-combed grille sits between two chic silver-finished headlight consoles, while large 17-inch aluminium alloys fill out the insides of flared wheel arches. Stylish contours above the rocker panels lend the Kizashi its attractive character. ‘Luxury’ and ‘sporty’ are two words that usually don’t share space together, but somehow Suzuki has found that fine balance in the Kizashi.
Looks are all very well but does the car have enough oomph to compliment its sporty detailing? Well, it’s quite safe to say that you’ll enjoy the signal turning green in this car. 0-100km/h comes up in a scant 7.8 seconds for the six-speed manual version, no doubt attributed to the 176 horses of the 2.4-litre powerplant that instinctively spur up with a jab of the throttle.
In the cabin, Kizashi is well-equipped with power-everything, including the driver’s seat and six airbags to keep the occupants safe in the event of an unavoidable collision. A keyless push-button start system and silver-accented matte-black central console are value adds. The well-bolstered beige leather upholstery and good interior space along with the adjustable rear AC vents will appeal to the chauffeur-driven owner too.
Maruti will hope that the nomenclature of the Kizashi, which means “sign of great things to come”, applies to the foreseeable future of their company. Kizashi will cost around `17 lakh.
The writer is an automobile enthusiast based in Kodaikanal
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/carz02081jpg-248