Suzuki's Kizashi crash goal

Suzuki's Kizashi crash goal

With its two concept cars, Suzuki is trying to expand its territory.

Historically, Suzuki has produced some of the oddest concepts you can imagine, but it has reserved the most sensible design studies, and those closest to production, for London.

The Kizashi concept is a family-sized car and means that Suzuki will take on the likes of the Ford Mondeo for the first time when it goes on sale in 2010. It's a tough market to crack, so Suzuki really has its work cut out with the car.

Safety could play a major role, with Suzuki aiming to get the maximum star ratings for occupant protection, child protection and pedestrian protection, something no car has yet achieved.

Two of the three Kizashi concept cars exhibited worldwide so far have also featured a 296bhp 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, so a sporty model is also likely.

What A-Star
The A-Star supermini concept car will probably go on sale in the UK next spring from around 6000 to 6500.

It will probably resurrect the Alto name for the new supermini, which hasn't been used since the previous car of the same name was ditched a couple of years ago.

Also on show are the Splash city car, Swift supermini and three 4x4s - the SX4, Jimny and Grand Vitara.

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