2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

 

Mercedes-Benz is using the long holiday weekend in America to tantalize enthusiasts with fresh photographs of the 2012 SLS AMG roadster.

We've seen this car with the top up, or in a less revealing manner, but these new shots show the true potential of this instant open-air icon. Weekend food for thought while driving your lesser convertible, no?

The roadster arrives this fall in the United States and will pack 563 hp from AMG's 6.2-liter V8, which also produces 479 lb-ft of twist. All of this juice enables this Benz to hit 60 mph in 3.7 en route to a top speed of 197 mph.

Also vital, the soft top can be electrohydraulically closed at speeds of up to 31 mph, a task accomplished in 11 seconds.

The roadster is the companion to already-launched gullwing version of the SLS, which harkens back to Mercedes' dream sports cars of the 1950s.

PRESS RELEASE

The 2012MY Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Open sensuality: roadster performance

in its perfect form

MONTVALE, NJ – AMG is presenting a new dream-car: the 2012MY SLS AMG Roadster. This super sports car thrills with a perfect combination of open-top driving pleasure, outstanding driving dynamics and sophisticated lightweight construction. The 2012 SLS AMG Roadster will make its U.S. debut in Fall 2011.

The technological highlights of the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster include an aluminum spaceframe body, an AMG 6.3-liter V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication developing a peak output of 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque, a seven-speed dual clutch transaxle transmission and a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones – all of which will raise the pulse of sports car enthusiasts while providing outstanding driving dynamics and driving pleasure.

The compact fabric soft top of the SLS AMG Roadster opens and closes in just eleven seconds, and can be operated on the move at speeds up to 31 mph.

The new Adaptive AMG Sport Suspension with electronically controlled damping is available as an attractive optional extra. It enables the damping characteristics to be modified at the touch of a button. Using the AMG DRIVE UNIT, the driver of the SLS AMG Roadster is therefore able to choose his own suspension setup. Three modes are available: "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus".

"AMG Performance Media" is a unique new feature: this innovative, motorsport- inspired multimedia system offers an unrivalled combination of numerous telemetric displays such as lateral and linear acceleration, various engine data and lap times on a racetrack.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "The SLS Roadster is a super sports car, cruiser and highly desirable dream-car all in one. In its distinctive way, it continues the succession of iconic and exciting sports cars from Mercedes-Benz."

Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "Systematic lightweight construction, outstanding performance and a breathtaking design combined with sensuous open-air driving pleasure – the new SLS AMG Roadster perfectly embodies the AMG philosophy of German engineering and craftsmanship.

The gullwing model has already thrilled sports car fans all over the world, and now the convertible version is bound to cause a sensation."

Pure roadster design with perfect proportions

The new Roadster adds a second exciting dream-car to the SLS AMG family. Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz, Gorden Wagener: "As in the gullwing model, the pure, athletic design immediately catches the eye. Whether with the roof open or closed, the SLS AMG Roadster is an impressive visual delight!" The perfect proportions are particularly memorable: a long hood, the greenhouse positioned well to the rear and a short rear end. Plus the automatically extending rear wing, long wheelbase, wide track and short overhangs – in short, the convertible SLS AMG exudes effortless performance and an authentic charisma. The pronounced shoulder sections are reminiscent of

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Toyota offers the 411 on the Prius V

The new Toyota Prius V is a hybrid crossover utility vehicle based on the current Prius hatchback. It will go on sale this fall

Toyota this past week revealed more details of its new 2012 Prius V hybrid wagon — and reaffirmed plans to begin selling the car in the United States this fall, even though it has been delayed in Japan and other markets because of the March earthquake and tsunami.

The first new model in a planned expansion of the brand to create a family of vehicles bearing the Prius name, the V essentially is a crossover version of the midsize hatchback that arrived for 2010 as the third generation of Toyota's groundbreaking gasoline-electric gas saver.

Toyota says the Prius V is designed for “young, active families,” giving them a roomier, more versatile alternative to the smaller hatchback. In fact, the “V” stands for “versatility,” the automaker says.

It has the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system as the standard Prius, but not quite the same fuel economy — 44 mpg city/40 highway (42 average) versus 51/48 (50 average) for the 2011 Prius. Essentially, the extra bulk is responsible for the lower mileage ratings.

“The Prius V brings leading-edge hybrid technology to customers who need more room and provides more cargo space than 80 percent of all small SUVs,” Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter said.

“And because it's a Prius, it produces 66 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle and will have the best mileage ratings of any SUV, crossover or wagon sold in America,” he said.

Toyota already has a larger hybrid crossover, the midsize Highlander, which can be configured for up to seven passengers. The five-passenger Prius V will compete in the compact crossover class, where the only hybrid models offered now are the Ford Escape and its clone, the Mazda Tribute.

Behind the rear seat, the Prius V has 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and that can be expanded substantially by folding the rear seatback. Even the front seatback can be leaned forward to accommodate longer items, such as snow skis.

Under the hood is the same 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, 98-horsepower Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine used in the 2011 Prius. There also are two high-output electric motors — including an 80-horsepower unit that helps drive the car and a separate, smaller one that starts the engine and also serves as a generator to recharge the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.

With the gasoline engine and larger motor working together, the Prius V has a total of 134 horsepower (not all of the engine and motor horsepower is available at the same time).

As with the current Prius, the V model will be able to run on either the engine or the electric motor alone, or a mix of the two. A computer controller manages the drive system, and it uses both automatic engine start/stop and regenerative braking to conserve fuel. Regenerative braking converts the car's rolling inertia into electric power to recharge the battery when the vehicle is decelerating.

There are four driving modes — standard, Eco, EV and Power. In the EV mode, the V can go up to a mile on battery power alone, at speeds up to about 25 mph. This is good for stop-and-go, low-speed driving in downtown city traffic.

When in the Power mode, the V uses more gasoline, but can more easily handle hills and can make faster starts. In the Eco mode, fuel economy is maximized, allowing the car's onboard computer to take care of “hypermiling” chores automatically (as long as the driver lets it). This mode also limits air-conditioner output so it might not be the best choice on the hottest Texas summer days.

The Prius V has a compact exterior, but there is 50 percent more cargo space than in the hatchback. Its EPA classification is “midsize station wagon.” The overall look is quite similar to that of the current Prius, but the rear end is squared off like a wagon or SUV.

There is a rear roof spoiler designed to improve airflow, thus reducing drag and helping to save fuel. The car has a 0.29 coefficient of drag, which is on par with many sports cars.

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Rusty cars that could be worth millions

 1937 Bugatti Type 57S: $4.4 million

1937 Bugatti Type 57S

 It seems too good to be true. A car that was abandoned and forgotten in a garage for decades is discovered -- and it's worth a mint!

Case in point: This supercharged Bugatti was parked in a garage by its then-owner in the early 1960s and, for some reason, simply left there for half a century.

In February, 2009, this unrestored car was sold at auction for $4.4 million.

But how is it possible that a car worth $4 million can go unnoticed for so many years?

In some cases a car that may not seem particularly exciting to its owner at the time is parked in a barn or garage and forgotten about, said Tom Cotter, author of "The Cobra in the Barn" and several other books about this phenomenon. Only later, when a knowledgeable person finally cracks open the barn door, is its true worth revealed.

Then it's known as a "barn find," and it's rare. For car buffs, it's an almost mythical concept. But, unlike Big Foot and Mermaids, barn finds really do exist.

1964 Shelby Cobra: Up to $625,000

1964 Shelby Cobra: Up to $625,000

This Shelby Cobra was parked in a shed in the early 1970s and, for the most part, just left there until 2004 when it was finally purchased by a new owner and restored. It's value was really listed by the auctioneers at Gooding & Co. at between $525,000 and $625,000.

1948 Tucker: $800,000

1948 Tucker Sedan: $800,000

Tuckers are rare cars. Only 51 were made before the company ceased operations in 1949. This one spent 50 years out of sight in a garage. It's not clear why the car was locked up and left in 1956, especially since its owner was a noted Tucker enthusiast. Only after his death was the garage unlocked and the car brought out with only 10,000 miles on the odometer

It was sold at a Gooding & Co. auction last January for $800,000.


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Comparo: Dodge Durango vs. Ford Explorer

"A little revolution now and again is a good thing."

While some say that founding father Thomas Jefferson didn't utter those exact words, the idea still holds true: Change can be good. With gasoline hovering around $4 a gallon, an increasing global demand for oil, concerns over global warming and the instability that comes with all of those realities, the auto industry finds itself in the midst of a revolution of its own, one that is putting greater importance on smaller cars and better fuel economy.

One of the casualties of this turmoil has been the midsize truck-based SUV, a vehicle that served as the family truckster for a generation. Originally released in 1991, the Ford Explorer was the torchbearer for this class. Sales regularly topped 400,000 units in the early 2000s, making it one of the Blue Oval's most successful vehicles.

Bing: Midsize SUV Ratings

Dodge had its entry, too: the Durango. Even bigger and "truckier" than the Explorer, the Durango really wasn't as good as the Ford, and it never approached the Explorer's sales numbers.

Interest in both vehicles dwindled in the past decade, and in 2008 a surge in gas prices all but wiped out the domestic truck-based SUV.

For the 2011 model year, Ford and Dodge are taking a shot at winning back American consumers who miss their beefy sport utes, this time with carlike unibody crossovers instead of body-on-frame trucks.

The Explorer gets the more radical changes. It loses its V8 engine, offering instead V6 and, eventually, 4-cylinder power. It also trades standard rear-wheel drive for front-wheel drive and adopts an all-wheel-drive system that includes a sophisticated Terrain Management system.

The Durango, meanwhile, keeps its rear-drive layout and available V8 power while getting an all-new base V6 engine and an architecture designed by Mercedes-Benz.

Which of these two modern crossovers is best for you? Let's compare them.

Compare: Dodge Durango vs. Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander

Compared to the models they replace, both the Explorer and Durango are much more comfortable and carlike — they even tend toward sporty. That's impressive because both are still really big. The Explorer is almost 4 inches longer and 6 inches wider than the outgoing model, while its weight is about the same. The Durango is roughly the same size as the previous model, but it sits lower and weighs, on average, 150 to 200 pounds more than the Explorer.

While both have excellent road manners, there are some noticeable differences. The Durango feels more stable in a straight line and when entering a turn than does the Explorer, which tends to wobble a bit and feels like it's going to lean. Thankfully, that body roll really isn't there. The Explorer rolls to a point, then firms up nicely and tracks sharply through turns. Because of a pleasingly quick steering response, the Durango might dive into that same turn a tad quicker, but the Explorer rotates better. Given its lighter weight and quicker-acting suspension, the Explorer would be a better choice for a slalom run.

On paper, this duo's V6 engines are evenly matched. The Explorer's 3.5-liter makes 285 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque, while the Durango's new Pentastar 3.6-liter produces 290 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque. There is a real-world difference, though, and it can be traced to power-to-weight ratio and transmission performance.

While both transmissions are smooth, the Explorer's 6-speed automatic is quicker to downshift when power is needed. The Durango's 5-speed automatic, on the other hand, always seems like it's a gear or two too high, and it takes a deep stab of the throttle to coax a meaningful downshift. As a result, the Explorer is quicker in a zero-to-60-mph run, coming in at less than eight seconds, while the Durango is in the mid-eight-second range. Clearly, Dodge needs a state-of-the-art transmission with more gears and better responsiveness.

In terms of traditional SUV capability, the Dodge can tow more — 6,200 pounds versus 5,000 pounds, respectively — but the Ford should be better off-road. The Explorer's AWD system features a Land Rover-inspired Terrain Management system that helps the vehicle adapt to various surfaces. We drove the Explorer under some challenging off-road conditions and it performed admirably. The Durango offers a more common AWD system with low-range gearing that will help dig you out of ruts, but it lacks the sophistication of the Ford system. Unfortunately, we never got a chance to take the Durango off-road.

Winner: Draw

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Inevitably, the arrival of spring has convertible owners -- especially those stuck in snowbelt states -- itching to enjoy their vehicles al fresco. This same itch apparently afflicts those employed at Mercedes-Benz, as the company's AMG performance division just rolled out its new 2012 SLS AMG Roadster months ahead of its scheduled debut in Frankfurt.

The cache of official photos released by the PR team in Stuttgart show the drop-top take on the SLS wearing light camouflage, but there's really very little to hide. Below the beltline, the Roadster is almost identical to its coupe sibling (563-hp, 6.2-liter V-8, rear-wheel-drive, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and so on). Above that point, the revisions are quite predictable: in lieu of the fixed metal roof and distinctive upward-opening doors, the Roadster uses a retractable folding soft top and conventional, front-hinged doors.

Despite clipping the wing-shaped portals, AMG engineers insist they had to change precious little in order to orchestrate a convertible SLS. Unlike the original 300 SL, the SLS was designed from square one to accommodate both coupe and convertible body styles; subsequently, both cars incorporate a number of tricks (i.e. thick side sills, etc.) to increase stiffness. Additional reinforcements are added to the Roadster's spaceframe, but are limited to supports beneath the windshield and around the transmission tunnel, a strut mounting stay installed between the soft top assembly and the fuel tank, and a cross member placed behind the front seats -- the latter providing a mounting point for both pop-up rollover protection and a subwoofer sourced from Bang & Olufsen.

Daimler notes the convertible's bodyshell itself weighs only six pounds more than the SLS coupe, but the company doesn't provide a curb weight for the completed vehicle. Although the cloth top is inevitably lighter than a folding hardtop design, expect the Roadster's heft to still eclipse the coupe's 3573 pounds, if ever so slightly. Mercedes-Benz says top speed is still electronically limited to 197 mph, but the Roadster's sprint from 0-60 mph may take a little longer than the coupe, which completes the run in3.8 seconds.

Apart from singing the praises of the soft top (i.e. it's well insulated, devoid of flapping even at high-speeds, and both folds and deploys in a short 11 seconds), Mercedes-Benz isn't saying much else about the SLS AMG Roadster. Expect more details to emerge come September, when the car is formally introduced at the Frankfurt motor show. Finalized pricing will likely be announced closer to the Roadster's market launch, which is tentatively scheduled for the close of 2011 for U.S. customers.

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Nissan, Chrysler and GM models face safety probe by U.S. regulators

DETROIT (Reuters) - U.S. safety regulators have opened preliminary investigations into consumer complaints about vehicles made by Nissan Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and General Motors that could affect more than 700,000 cars.

A preliminary investigation is the first step in a process that could lead to a recall if regulators determine that a safety issue needs to be addressed by a manufacturer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its probe into an estimated 440,000 Nissan Altima cars from the 2007 and 2008 model years concerned a possible leak in the brake master cylinder that could reduce the effectiveness of the brakes.

NHTSA said it had received 20 complaints from Altima drivers. Of these, two alleged a reduction in brake effectiveness while 18 reported only illumination of the brake warning light.

The agency said it was also investigating Chrysler's Jeep Wrangler from the 2007 and 2008 model years, potentially affecting 222,500 vehicles, over airbag light illumination indicating an airbag clockspring failure.

A clockspring is a coil under the steering wheel that maintains an electrical connection to the airbag on the driver's side. A broken circuit can mean the airbag will not inflate.

NHTSA said it had received 29 consumer complaints from Jeep drivers. Of these, 23 identified the clockspring wiring assembly as the source of the issue, while the other six only said the airbag light had been illuminated.

Of 14 owners contacted, six said they owned right-hand-drive versions typically used by postal carriers.

A third probe involves GM's 2007 Saturn Aura, potentially affecting 65,105 cars, over a transmission shift cable that could fail, causing the park gear not to fully engage.

The agency said it had received eight complaints alleging that the transmission shift cable had failed, causing the vehicle to roll away, move or accelerate with the shifter in park, or to accelerate in the opposite direction than the driver intended.

NHTSA did not disclose any crashes or injuries in connection with any of the reported problems.

Spokesmen for the three companies said the carmakers were cooperating fully with the investigations.

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Test complete: 2012 Mazda5 Grand Touring

The Mazda5 is sort of an automotive Swiss Army knife; it packs a lot of function into a rather compact package. Mazda updated the 5 for the 2012 model year but it still feels an awful lot like the previous-generation car. That isn’t a bad thing as our previously tested 2010 Mazda5 scored very well in our testing.

We bought a 2012 Grand Touring with an automatic for testing. It stickered at $24,670 giving a lot of space and equipment for the money. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine replaced the previous 2.3-liter; fuel economy in our tests dropped slightly without much improvement in acceleration.

As our test video shows, the 5 is cleverly designed, but it requires a few compromises to get the most out of the compact dimensions. The fun-to-drive 5 also shows that being able to handle daily chores doesn’t mean that handling also has to be a chore.

See our full road test and ratings of the 2012 Mazda5.

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Electric car charging points set up as Source London launched

According to the mayor's office, there are currently more than 2,000 electric vehicles on London's roads, with a city-wide charge-point network of 150 outlets set up to serve their owners.

Users just need to park their vehicles in designated bays on streets and in car parks, swiping their membership cards to activate the power, then leave them to charge at the branded points.

A further 1,150 charge points will be rolled out under the Source scheme by 2013, giving London more of the outlets than petrol stations.

Electric vehicles in the UK are already exempt from the central London Congestion Charge and pay no road tax, as well as being eligible for subsidies as part of a government-led effort to boost the public's interest in green motoring.

Anyone who buys a Nissan Leaf - the brand's all-electric hatchback - by the end of this year will get free membership to the Source scheme for 12 months.

Heathrow and Gatwick airports, retailers Asda, IKEA and Sainsbury’s, Capital Shopping Centre and the Underground are also working with Source London.

'I want to rapidly accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles and make London the epicentre of electric driving in Europe,' said Boris Johnson.

'Increasing numbers of motorists are opting for cleaner, greener electric transport, delivering a host of benefits to the driver including a 100 per cent Congestion Charge discount.

'This is set to deliver considerable environmental benefits to our city.'



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Honda expects near-normal American production by August

DETROIT -- Honda's North American factories will return to near-normal production in August, the automaker said Thursday, much faster than had been expected.

The announcement is another sign of improved parts supplies flowing from Japanese suppliers, whose factories were either damaged by the earthquake and tsunami there, or hit hard by ensuing electric power outages.

Shortages have affected nearly every automaker, but have struck hardest at Honda Motor and rival Toyota Motor.

Last month, Honda cut production to about half the normal level due to parts shortages caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. It warned dealers of model shortages and said full production might not resume until the end of the year.

But Honda said Thursday that the situation in Japan continues to improve, so factories will ramp up to 100 percent production on a plant-by-plant basis -- except for those that make the new Civic compact.

"The light at the end of the tunnel is glowing brighter for us, represented by this significant improvement in our production situation," said John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's American operations.

Toyota earlier this month also said that it would be able to crank up North American production faster than expected, returning to 70 percent of normal levels in June as it rebounds from parts shortages.

The company cut production to about 30 percent of normal in May by idling factories for

several days or reducing hours of operation. It also warned dealers to expect shortages of some models well into the summer and said full production may not come until late this year.

Neither Honda nor Toyota laid off workers during the factory down time.

Honda said Thursday that the severity of model shortages this month will not be as bad as expected.

"This will go a long way toward alleviating the shortages at dealerships," said spokesman Ed Miller. "It's very good news for dealers."

But Rebecca Lindland, senior analyst for the IHS Automotive consulting firm, cautioned that it will take a while for supplies to be abundant again, especially for small cars and those made only in Japan. That also means automakers will be reluctant to offer deals with tight supplies, at least for a month or two.

"Things aren't totally back to normal yet," she said. "You are still going to see some limited selection. We're in a situation where you can't necessarily be too choosy, and you certainly are not going to see vehicles slathered with incentives like we have in the past."

Sales in May, she said, likely will be low due to the model shortages and lack of incentives such as rebates and low-interest financing.

The Civic, which is the sixth most popular vehicle in the U.S., is likely to remain in short supply, however.

Honda said the 2012 Civic still lacks critical parts, and production will remain at about half the normal rate until sometime in the fall.

Honda still is short of electrical, rubber and other parts for the car that come from Japanese factories, Miller said.

Demand for the Civic and other small, fuel-efficient cars has been rising throughout the year with gas prices threatening to top $4 per gallon in the U.S.

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Watch out for Suzuki: 2011 Kizashi Test Drive

It’s not often we speak of Suzuki. And when I usually do, it’s about their motorcycles. It comes as no surprise really, Suzuki established its motorcycle division in North America back in 1963, and to date they’ve got a very competitive line-up of two wheeled offerings. In comparison Suzuki established its US head offices in 1985. When it made its way up to Canada it was 1989 with an assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario and it was a bit late to the game. By this point in history the other Japanese automakers were well on their way to taking the N.A. auto industry by storm. Suzuki was not able to pick up the kind of momentum the other automakers did, and has been languishing since.

But with 2011, there seems to be change in the air. Suzuki warns of storms of their own, their new mid-size sedan shows no sign of wavering. Since the release of the Kizashi in N.A. the automotive press have applauded it endlessly. A lot of it has to do with the simple fact that no one expected this car, from this manufacturer.

Reviewing the 2011 Kizashi

Well, here it is. So let’s get down to it, ready to find out if the Kizashi really is the next great thing?

Let’s start on the inside, where the driver sits, where the driver who buys this car will want to spend most of their time. This is a clean interior, very well laid out, and easy to understand. Everything feels good to the touch; all the materials and elements feel great, and look good too. It seems the Suzuki accountants looked at this section of the car and when they tried making changes, were chased away by rabid designers (something I wish happened more often).

What about comfort? Well, I managed a continuous three hour drive with little discomfort; good lumbar support equipped soft leather seats aiding things here. The suspension is geared for a more sporty drive, so I was feeling some of those bumps, but found it no way a damper on my mood; but more on that later. What didn’t really work for me -or rather my poor friends- were the rear seats. I had three average sized men sit at the back, and they were all but ready to strangle me. Even with two regular sized adults leg room is a bit cramped, and so is head space. Actually when it comes to the mid-size segment, the Kizashi scores fairly poorly on interior dimensions.

But if you bought a Kizashi, you wouldn’t be a passenger, and if you’re driving a mid-size car in this price range, well, there really isn’t another car you’d rather be in. This really is Kizashi’s trump card; the car handles like nothing else in this segment, for proper comparison find a BMW 3-series. And that’s high praise for any mid-size. I mentioned earlier that I was feeling some of those bumps I drove over, but with a suspension that allows a car to handle this well, I think it’s astonishing that I wasn’t feeling more of those bumps.

Then of course there’s this very crisp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine giving us 180hp and 170 lb. ft. of torque. This gets mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with paddle shifters in my test car; the only thing I didn’t like was the lumbering sort of transmission which wasn’t doing much in making me feel sporty. But helping with that is this beautifully body integrated dual rear exhausts that have a throaty sort of growl that is pleasing to hear, and encourages you to hold a lower gear and rev -which the previously mentioned “lumbering” transmission allows- right up to red line.

For those overly safety conscious or living on streets that never get ploughed in the winter, the All Wheel Drive system will put your mind at ease, and so will the very effective traction and stability control systems --yes, I did put it to the test in a very remote and empty private parking facility covered in ice--.

At the time of my test, Suzuki offered the Kizashi in just one trim level. It included everything but the kitchen sink for about $30k. Not bad for a car that wants to compare itself to the likes of the Acura TSX and Audi A4. For those who want the Kizashi look and drive, but want to spend less, there’s now an offering of a FWD only option with a few less luxury touches --like leather interiors-- for about $26k.

Now once you’ve taken the Kizashi of your choice out for a long drive, had lots of fun, and make it back home, you get out of the car, look back and realize that it looks amazing. Lines that flow from one to another smoothly, an elegant and sporty silhouette, along with those 18-inch wheels that come standard, all work in harmony to make this one really good looking car.

There’s only one other mid-size sedan that I like more than I do the exterior of the Kizashi, and that’s of the Buick Regal (you can read my review of it here); Which is quite a statement if you think about the fact that there are over 15 different mid-size cars to choose from in Canada. What’s even more astonishing is the fact that I can’t think of any other ground-shakingly beautiful cars from Suzuki before this one. Which is good news for Suzuki if they want us to stay focused on what’s to come.

It seems just when Hyundai had pushed the limits on what a car in this class can be with it’s all new Sonata, and managed to put the perennial top sellers --the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord-- to shame, another Japanese car manufacturer has stepped up to the plate. With class leading features, unmatched driving dynamics, and superb value, this is one very sweet car. Suzuki has somehow done the unimaginable and struck it out of the park with the Kizashi.

Photography credit: Wilson Lo

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