2010 Suzuki Bonneville Kizashi

The North American division of Suzuki has just Releases details on a special edition Kizashi model,

Suzuki’s North American division revealed that the Bonneville Kizashi started with a pre-production Kizashi prototype. Last May, construction of the Kizashi racer started with the Holdener/Habrzyk team installing the SCTA-approved roll cage, an aluminum bulkhead in the rear, racing seat, seat harnesses and window net. When it comes to performance, the Bonneville Kizashi is equipped with a new intake manifold, a tuned ‘long tube’ header and forged rods and pistons.

The car is powered by a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that delivers 500 wheel hp at 7000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. It also gets a new intake manifold, a tuned ’long tube’ header, forged rods and pistons, a Turbonetics turbocharger, a new 3.5-inch exhaust, and full synthetic 5W-20 racing oil from Lucas Oil. It’s main target will be to hit a top speed of 200 mph.

The Bonneville Suzuki Kizashi is currently undergoing testing and will hit the salt flats on August 14.


Press Release

BONNEVILLE KIZASHI – SOMETHING GREAT IS RUNNING

• Bonneville Kizashi builds on Suzuki’s winning tradition.

• Boosted powertrain moves sport sedan into new segment – Over 200 mph.

• Modifications void America’s #1 Warranty.

BREA, Calif. (August 9, 2010) – Since its introduction to the press in July of 2009, Suzuki’s Kizashi has been recognized as a midsize sedan with a difference – or two. Boasting a rigid structure, composed platform, suspension tuned on the famed Nurburgring and available all-wheel drive, the Kizashi has enjoyed accolades from both media and consumers; most notably, the Kizashi ranked first in AutoPacific’s 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction survey. And with 185 horsepower from its 2.4 liter DOHC four, the 2010 Kizashi boasts class-leading power in the four-cylinder segment.

Fast forward to August 2010, and Suzuki moves the Kizashi into a category typically reserved for Bonneville streamliners. With extensive modifications supplied by Richard Holdener and Tom Habrzyk of Advanced Product Engineering and with Road & Track’s Sam Mitani behind the wheel, American Suzuki’s first-ever automotive assault on the salt begins on August 14 in Wendover, Utah. There, the Bonneville Kizashi – competing in the Blown Gas Coupe category – will rocket its way toward the 200 mph benchmark and, if successful, into Suzuki’s already remarkable motorsport history.

The Bonneville Kizashi began with a pre-production Kizashi prototype. In May 2010, construction of the Bonneville racer began with interior disassembly, underscoring Kizashi’s initial design premise. “Premium without the premium” is, suddenly, completely without the premium, reflecting a bare metal working environment intended for but one mission. Its upscale appointments removed, the Holdener/Habrzyk team installed the SCTA-approved roll cage, an aluminum bulkhead in the rear, racing seat, seat harnesses and window net.

With the cockpit modifications made, it was time to take a look under the hood and build on, with this Kizashi, the performance tradition rooted in Suzuki’s first win on Mt. Fuji some 55 years ago. The spare motor was disassembled to confirm the stock measurements, while the cylinder head was flowed and ported. The Bonneville Kizashi benefits from a new intake manifold, a tuned ‘long tube’ header and – for high rpm durability – forged rods and pistons. With up to 20 pounds of boost from the Turbonetics turbocharger, the Kizashi’s increased horsepower required air-to-water intercooling (and Snow water/methanol injection) – while its output demands a new ACT Clutch and Pressure Plate. A scattershield is added, the oil pan is welded for a new drain fitting and a new 3.5-inch exhaust is fabricated aft of the turbocharger. Additional protection for the high-boost, high-rpm turbo motor is provided by full synthetic 5W-20 racing oil from Lucas Oil.

The Kizashi platform – and its Nurburgring heritage – is morphed into a salt-specific recipe with new coilovers, steel wheels seam welded, and speed-specific 15x7-inch Goodyear Front Runner® rubber. An air dam keeps the Kizashi’s nose planted, window straps and hood pins ensure the hood and glass stay in place, and a parachute can bring the high speed show to an emergency stop. Finally, a dual fire system provides the extra assurance so important for Mitani, with some 900 boosted horses but only a few feet in front of his now high-speed capsule.

With the build completed at the end of July, the first week of August provides a narrow window for the chassis dyno tune and over-the-road (closed course, professional driver) testing. Then it’s on to Bonneville and the week of speed, beginning Saturday, August 14 and ending on Friday, August 20. If the week goes as planned, and the Kizashi performs as designed, the SCTA will have two new members among its 200 mph ranks: Road & Track’s Sam Mitani and the 2010 Suzuki Bonneville Kizashi .

Technical Specifications – 2010 Bonneville Kizashi

Wheelbase:	106.3 inches
Overall Length:	183.1 inches
Overall Width:	71.7 inches
Engine:	2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine
Horsepower:	500 wheel hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:	420 lb.-ft. @ 5100 rpm
Transmission, Manual:	Six-speed manual transmission
Brakes:	Front ventilated disc brakes/Rear disc brakes
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates:	EPA test cycle does not include 200 mile-per-hour evaluation

2010 Paris Auto Show: Chevrolet Spark Woody

The British division of Chevrolet has just released a one-off special version of its Spark supermini, an art car that will make its public debut at the upcoming Boardmasters surf, skate and music festival. Creative? Chevrolet! arts competition in Paris.

The Chevrolet Spark Woody was created using a three-quarter vinyl body wrap that creates the wood effect and also features retro style white rims and tires plus a surfboard on its roof.

The Spark Woody is one of a series of Art Sparks created by Chevrolet Europe in the past year. The first, a unique interpretation of the car by German fashion designer Smeilinener, made its debut at the final of the Young? Creative? Chevrolet Art Competition in Berlin last October, while other Art Sparks include a one-off WTCC leading car by Portuguese art student Jose Rocha, a YCC winner, and a Spark DJ Car – the world’s largest record turntable, created by Chevrolet UK this year.





Press Release

• Chevrolet unveils Spark Woody Wagon art car
• One-off created to coincide with Boardmasters festival
• Continues European ‘Art Spark' theme
• To feature at Paris Motor Show

Surf's up dudes - and here's the proof! Chevrolet, the manufacturer behind the market-leading 5-Year Promise aftercare package, has pulled the wraps off a one-off special version of its top-selling Spark supermini, created to celebrate the brand's American heritage and connection to youth culture.

Spotted driving around Newquay, Cornwall, at the start of the annual Boardmasters surf, skate and music festival, the Spark Woody will go on to star at the grand final of this year's Young? Creative? Chevrolet! arts competition, which takes place in Paris on the eve of the International Motor Show next month.

The car recalls the dawn of the surf movement in the USA, when, in the late Fifties and early Sixties, surfers bought ‘Woodies'. These were traditionally large estate cars based on mainstream models, but with timber framed bodywork, as they were both cheap and spacious enough to carry their boards and equipment.

Woody Wagons were immortalised in song, chiefly in The Beach Boys' Surfin Safari and Jan and Dean's Surf City, both widely regarded as two of the most famous surfing tunes ever.

Yet even when car makers stopped using wooden frames, an expensive and difficult production process, the Woody had become so much a part of American culture that its essence continued, with Chevrolet one of many US manufacturers who used Di-Noc woodgrained vinyl panelling to maintain the woody effect.

The Spark Woody was created in the UK for Chevrolet using a three-quarter vinyl body wrap provided by Pyramid Visuals of Weybridge, whose speciality is normally in vans and shop frontages. Its roof is adorned with an Escape Mini-Mal surfboard, made in Cornwall, as its wood-effect panelling was in keeping with the car's retro styling.

Chevrolet chose Newquay to show off the car for the first time, as the Cornish resort is famous across the world for its surfing culture - the Atlantic Ocean meets the British Isles at one of its narrowest peninsulas, which gives naturally excellent conditions for surfing.

The Spark Woody is one of a series of Art Sparks created by Chevrolet Europe in the past year. The first, a unique interpretation of the car by German fashion designer Smeilinener, made its debut at the final of the Young? Creative? Chevrolet Art Competition in Berlin last October, while other Art Sparks include a one-off WTCC leading car by Portuguese art student Jose Rocha, a YCC winner, and a Spark DJ Car - the world's largest record turntable, created by Chevrolet UK this year.

A further Art Spark, created by 27-year old British artist Ian Cook, will appear later this month at Silverstone Circuit to coincide with the British Touring Car Championship meeting there, while the Spark Woody will make its next public appearance this coming weekend at Snetterton, again tied in to the BTCC.

Carlsson 2011 Smart Fortwo

Carlsson revealed details and pricing of its super special package for smart fortwo Coupe and Convertible which is inspired by their C25 Supercar. The tuning kit regards just to the aesthetic part, no performance changes were operated by Carlsson tuners.

Exterior updates include two powder-coated stainless steel black radiator grille pieces, which start at €153.  Alongside of these are the LED daytime runners, with their own power supply and control unit, available for €415.  Another €359 gets a nice set of sport seats with contoured bolsters.

For the interior, the Carlsson 2011 Smart Fortwo program offers a new leather upholstery combined with Alcantara that goes on the seats, the entire instrument panel, the knee area, the steering wheel, and the instrument cluster. The Carlsson 2011 Smart Fortwo is also fitted with sport

LED lights were mounted on the front bumper along with the yellow stripe under the lights. The interior featuring the Alcantara and Nappa leather costs around 4000 euro while the audio system adds extra 1300 euro to the price. This is how the Carlsson tuners managed to modify the small city model.

The extra body parts cost you around 600 euros, the complete leather package is priced at 4163 euros while sport seats add another 359 euros, interior trims on door and panels will cost 2559 euros, and finally the high-end audio system runs for 1295 euros.




Press Release

Luxurious city runabout:

Carlsson refines the new Smart with great success

• LED daytime running lights individualise the front

• Leather packages ensure high-quality interior

• High-end sound system specially developed for the smart

So much luxury fits into only 2.70 metres. The automobile manufacturer Carlsson transforms the practical smart fortwo Coupé and Convertible into individual, classy cars for the necessities of urban living. LED daytime running lights, exclusive leather packages which start where the factory left off, and an audio system for the finest sound experience make this winning model unique.

At the front, the two black radiator grill inserts of powder-coated stainless steel above and below the number plate provide a note of individuality (from 153 Euro including VAT). In addition, the LED daytime running lights make the Smart stand out from the masses. And here once again Carlsson from Gut Wiesenhof in Germany demonstrates what care they take with their conversions: the LEDs have been approved not only as daytime running lights but also as sidelights. This means they may be used at the same time as dipped headlights and so set themselves apart from the typical upgrade kits. The ready-to-fit set, including the power supply and control unit, the cable harness and the bracket, is provided by Carlsson for only 415 Euro. As usual with products by Carlsson, the bracket requires no painting.

The all-round luxury in the vehicle interior is taken care of by the leather package from the customizer based in Merzig, Germany. The finest 'Softwalk' Nappa leather and Alcantara now envelope the entire instrument panel, the knee area, the steering wheel, the instrument cluster, the radio and air-conditioning console, the air vents, the doors, door pockets and of course both seats, including the quilted lozenge pattern and the embroidered Carlsson logo in the headrests. The complete leather package is available from Carlsson for 4163 Euro.

For a mere 359 Euro more, smart passengers get specially developed sports seats with more pronounced, contoured bolsters on seat and backrest which also provide perfect support when cornering fast.

And for those who wish to enhance their original Smart leather equipment, Carlsson has an appropriate offer on hand. For 2559 Euro the upgrade covers ‘Softwalk’ Nappa leather and Alcantara on the instrument panel, knee area, instrument cluster, radio and air-conditioning console, air vents, doors and door pockets. Furthermore, to suit every interior colour, the automobile manufacturer provides a gear selector in finest leather for 89 Euro in the colour combinations black and silver, black and red or black and beige.

For audiophile pretensions Carlsson has developed the "Exclusive Edition" high-end sound system specially for the Smart. The audio system, which has been adapted to the fortwo's and the Convertible's vehicle interior, consists of a digital two-channel power-amp with 400-Watt RMS output, the pre-assembled cable harness for the original Smart radio and sound insulation in the doors. The two, black-leather covered doorboards enclose, behind the loudspeaker grilles with the Carlsson logo on each side, a 16.5-centimetre loudspeaker and a textile tweeter which, connected by a specially adapted crossover network, ensure perfect high-frequency reproduction and full-bodied sound. The audio system for 1295 Euro also includes as a special feature the LED footwell lighting which is activated when the doors open.

With the comprehensive customizing package, the automobile manufacturer Carlsson transforms the small city runabout into a luxurious vehicle for the metropolis.