The prototype sedan, which is based on the regular street-going car, is powered by a 144 hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine, which works in harmony with an electric propulsion system comprising of a liquid-cooled 15-kW motor/generator unit tied to a 115-volt air-cooled lithium-ion battery.
The Japanese carmaker adds that the combination is good for a 25 percent increase over the standard Kizashi's 30 mpg highway fuel-economy rating. If they took the time to offer those figures, then a production version is likely.
To make the car stand out from its road-going cousins, Suzuki has decorated the EcoCharge Kizashi with different headlights, LEDs in the fascia and a white satin paint job communicate with metallic blue accents.
"We are continuing to study the virtues of the gas-electric technology found in the Suzuki Kizashi EcoCharge Concept," said Steve Younan, director of automotive marketing and product planning for American Suzuki Motor Corporation.
"Our basic concept was to attain substantial gains in fuel economy without the traditional sacrifices in drivability required with today's mid-size hybrid sedans. The proof of our concept is that the Kizashi EcoCharge has the capability to deliver a 25 percent fuel economy gain in real-world driving through an electric charge to the powertrain system while still retaining the production Kizashi's dynamic handling and braking advantages that make it a standout category performer," Younan adds.
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