Suzuki Turbo Kizashi Makes TV Debut

The North American division of Suzuki recently announced its all-new Kizashi is to make its appearance on the small screen, as part of Speed Channel's "Test Drive” program. Racing champion Tommy Kendall is the one to get behind the wheel of Suzuki’s latest sedan and take it to the hills of Malibu, California.

Kendall will then drive the Kizashi to the High Desert's Willow Springs raceway outside of Lancaster, California, where it will be joined by Road Race Motorsports' concept turbo Kizashi variant, Suzuki Superbike champion Tommy Hayden and Car and Driver's Technical Editor Aaron Robinson.

Road Race Motorsports began the concept Suzuki turbo project with an early pre-production prototype Kizashi. The guys added a 16G turbocharger and their own high flow intercooler.

Other adds on the hardware menu include custom fuel management, Road Race's Sleeper blow-off valve, Velocity air intake and Extreme spray injector. The equal length turbo manifold is custom crafted, while the 38mm wastegate is supplied by Tial.

All these tweaks helped boost the power to 290 hp, which is transmitted to the road via 19-inch Dunlop tires. Further new elements include Road Race's own sport springs, working in combination with Kizashi's ultra-rigid unibody and all-independent suspension. High-speed stability is enhanced with the addition of a rear-mounted spoiler supplied by Delta Tech Engineering.

Air dates for the newest edition of Speed Channel's "Test Drive" began on April 30, 2010.