Suzuki Kizashi may not be directly replaced when the time comes - A Shame as we've driven it and it's quite nice.

According to a report by drive.com.au the Suzuki Kizashi is unlikely to have a replacement in the future. It is likely to soldier on for a while longer and may fade out into the annals of automotive history. The reason is that reception to this mid-sized car has been pretty cold. In the report, the MD for Suzuki Australia said that even at launch, the Kizashi was compromised by the American financial crisis in 2009.

With American once Suzuki's largest market being wiped out (Suzuki America declared bankrupty in 2012), sales for this (almost) large sedan dwindled as even in markets like Australia and the UK it was overpriced and underspecced compared to its rivals like the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6. The Suzuki Kizashi is also a tad undersized if compared to the current crop of Japanese mid-sized / full sized sedans. If you compare its size it is closer to cars like the seventh generation Honda Accord (2003-2007) instead of the larger eighth and ninth generation Accords that we're familiar with. You add competition like the huge Toyota Camry and Nissan Teana to the picture and you can see why Suzuki isn't really selling any Kizashis even here in Malaysia. But we've driven it and we like how it drives as well as how it looks. The car looks squat with a wheel at each corner. Very athletic looking and taut.

Suzuki Swift Sport CVT - THE One to drive if you cannot do the shifting yourself

Fun to drive cars have always been a priority over here on Motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com. We thrive on driving cars that are fun. They may not have to be superfast but they have to have an emotional attachment with the driver when on the move. The thing about 'soulful' cars is there they are usually expensive here in Malaysia as we suffer, yes, suffer from obscene taxes and other whatnots. You need good credit rating with the bank or you must have a really fat monthly salary to indulge in such cars here in Malaysia. But occasionally you have the Suzuki Swift Sport to give you a rush at a price of around RM100,000. Hey, RM100,000 is affordable for a fun car in this day and age. Sad but true.

2013 Suzuki Jimny - This Cute LIl' 4WD could be launched here soon

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It seems that Suzuki Malaysia will launch the newly facelifted for 2013 Suzuki Jimny here in Malaysia. The car seen here at the recent 2013 NST Motorshow is powered by a 84hp 1.3liter petrol engine. From what I gathered from the staff on duty at the motorshow the Jimny has been through JPJ type approval so it should be launched soon and may have a price tag of between RM85,000-90,000. 

The New Suzuki Swift 1.4 - Photos and Initial Opinion

Here we have a few photographs of the All New Suzuki Swift 1.4. A car that is new to Malaysia and old to most places around the world. I have no idea why it has taken Suzuki Malaysia eons to launch the car over here in Bolehland. It may be due to the fact that CKD stocks of the previous generation Swift were not exhausted. It may be some unseen force of economics that may have come into play. It may be something as simple as Suzuki Japan forgetting that Malaysia exists. But lets move on from the conspiracy theories and enjoy the fact that this well-engineered supermini has finally made it to our shores.

At first glance it looks exactly like the older car. Then you notice it is only slightly larger. It's bum is definitely bigger and has a Peugeot 308esque type of look to it. It does look a little more grown up and a little bit more contemporary without losing its original design cues. The interior is better than before. It looks to be better built and it also seems to have better material quaility too. It looks more mature on the inside too. 

The Swift 1.4 that we are now getting is fully brought in from Thailand. No, it is not imported from Japan and this first batch of cars was brought in to get the ball rolling. From a taxation point of view the car is slightly cheaper than if it were brought in from Japan. This is why it costs RM78K instead of RM82K+ when they first brought in the previous generation model from Japan - but that was a 1.5liter and not knowing what type of arcane pricing system that MITI sets out for imported cars, we may never know if it is cheaper or not in the first place.  According to sources, Suzuki Malaysia will be bringing in about 900 to 1,000 or so units before local assembly begins. 

So what has impressed yours truly about this finally available new Suzuki Swift? Aside from the fact that it is slightly more grown up in all aspects, it now comes with something called rear disc brakes. The previous 1.5liter Swift made do with rear drum brakes. So you are getting better equipment with this new, albeit smaller engined Swift - It also has a proper stop-start button for its keyless go system, no need to turn the fob where the key was supposed to go like before. 

Now the older car made about 100bhp. This new one makes 95. The old one has more torque too but this new one has slightly less mass to move around with. It weighs a good 30kgs less and in theory only loses out  ever so slightly. I suppose this is the price to pay for more refinement and better fuel economy. Don't complain too much as the Swift 1.4  isn't meant to burn rubber (but it has some tuning potential and the potential to look like a Swift Sport - which is good enough for some). Suzuki does not have any other larger engine for the base Swift as this is the largest engine sold worldwide. So if you want more poke in a Swift, wait for the upcoming Swift Sport. Which according to sources will arrive here eventually. 

Told Ya So - The All New Suzuki Swift 2013 Launch in January '13

I have been observing my blog stats earlier today and it seems that there are a lot of people trying to find news on the upcoming 2013 Suzuki Swift launch in Malaysia. Most have been directed to my earlier article on the matter where I stated that the all-new Suzuki Swift will be launched in January or February of this year. And you know what? It is true.

By Saturday, 12th of January 2013 the new CBU or fully imported Suzuki Swift 1.4liter will be in most Suzuki showrooms around Malaysia. Prices should begin at around RM77,000+ and for that you get a 1.4liter 94bhp//130Nm/ 147g/km CO2 rating car that is slightly larger than the earlier model. It is lighter too by around 30kg, which is always a good thing. Now if you cannot afford the car at that price, all you have to do is be a little patient and wait for the CKD (locally assembled) model to be launched. It may take a few months, or years, knowing the incredibly long time that we have to wait for this CBU model to come in but yo may save a good RM10,000, which is still quite a lot of money these days.

And how do I know this little detail? No, not because I write automotive related stuff. I bought a Suzuki Alto last year remember? The sales people still remember you if you spend money.

Some Rumours on the New Suzuki Swift for Malaysia and another Suzy

It seems that Suzuki will launch the already old new Suzuki Swift early next year. What this means is that we Malaysians will be getting the new Swift just in time for its mid-life facelift. The reason is that the 3rd generation Suzuki Swift was officially launched late 2010 with production going on full swing sometime January/February 2011. It is mid-2012 right now and the new Swift has been in production for a good one and a half years at the very least. By 2013, it'll be two and a half years and just ripe for a facelift - the last Swift had a 6 year production lifespan, so by mid-2013, the new one should be nearing its mid-life and due for a facelift or something like a facelift.

So before I continue babbling and whining about how ridiculously late the Swift has been in reaching our shores, I would like to inform you readers out there that Suzuki Malaysia should be bringing out the new Swift by early 2013 (January/February? I have no actual idea). It will come in 1.4liter form as there is no longer a 1.5liter option made by Suzuki. There is a 1.2liter and a 1.4liter as well as the Swift Sport's 1.6liter engine. The new 1.4liter  engine is allegedly slightly down on power and torque compared to the earlier 1.5liter engine but it is supposedly 12% more efficient overall coupled with a slightly lighter chassis. So it still shouldn't be a bad drive as handling and ride as as good as the previous generation or better. 

Anyway, the Malaysian specced Suzuki Swfit 1.4 will come with the same 4 speed automatic transmission with the new CVT option only for the Swift Sport. It may be launched right from the start in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form with kits most probably coming from Suzuki's Rayong plant in Thailand since Suzuki has recently started assembly of the Swift over there. Then again, Suzuki could take advantage of AFTA and just bring in the Swift from Thailand. Who knows.

Next, the new Suzuki Swift Sport with its 1.6liter engine and options for a 6 speed manual and CVT automatic should arrive in CBU form mid-2013. Better late than never? 

So why has it been so late? I suppose Suzuki wanted to finish off its stocks for the current Malaysian assembled Suzuki Swift and wanted to jump straight into local assembly instead of importing the Swift in prior to that. Sometimes, local assembly makes us get cars a little late. I suppose this is the price to pay for a Swift that would cost approximately RM70K instead of RM80K.

Anyway, where did I come up with such information and is the information to be trusted? I have no idea how true all of the above is but it does come from a seemingly reliable source. Usually such sources are quite reliable when you actually plonk a wad of cash in front of them. In this case, a new Suzuki Alto. A nice bronze/brown one. Stay tuned folks.

Alright folks...If your browser has taken you to this article, you should now head over here for the latest update! 

Update - Photos and Initial Opinion - HERE