As promised Suzuki revealed a pair of concept cars base don the Kizashi sedan. One is a heavily-modded race-inspired model called the Apex, and the other a gas-electric hybrid called the EcoCharge.

EcoCharge’s powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine, with an advanced electric propulsion system hooked up to it. That includes a liquid-cooled 15-kW motor/generator unit tied to a 115-volt air-cooled lithium-ion battery. This system churns out 144 hp (106 kW) and 127 lb-ft (173 Nm). It offers 25 percent better fuel economy over production Kizashi, which is not remarkable considering it also has many fuel saving features like start/stop, regenerative braking, fuel cut-off during deceleration events and low-rolling resistance tires. 50 percent would have been alright!

Kizasho EcoCharge also features s unique exterior with white satin paint design, a specialized headlight treatment, as well as LED foglight illumination integrated into the front fascia.

Suzuki Kizashi EcoCharge Concept Specifications

• Engine: J20B DOHC I-4
  • Displacement: 1,998 cc
  • Valvetrain: Intake-VVT
  • Horsepower: 144 hp (106 kW) @ 6500 rpm
  • Torque: 127 lb-ft (173 Nm) @ 4500 rpm
  • Fuel economy target (Hwy): 25 percent improvement over production Kizashi
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Electric Drive System
  • Type: Belt-driven, liquid-cooled induction motor/generator unit and lithium-ion battery system; air-cooled power electronics and battery pack
  • Maximum electric generating power: 15 kW @ 1,570-3,180 rpm
  • Maximum electric motor power (electric assist): 15 hp / 11.2kW @ 1000-2200 rpm
  • Lithium-ion battery: 115V, 0.5 kWh, 15 kW peak power

As for the Kizashi Apex concept, the car pays homage to Suzuki’s championship-winning motorcycles. As mentioned the Apex is heavily modified and gets a Garrett turbocharger, an air-to-liquid intercooler, electronic boost control, specific engine control unit calibration, the whole shebang!

Specific system components are as follows:

• Garrett/Honeywell 2871 R ball bearing turbocharger
• Internally wastegated 0.86 A/R turbine housing
• Oil and water cooled bearing system
• Turbine housing cast from high-nickel “Ni-Resist” material for extreme applications
• Turbine wheel cast from lightweight iconel materials for extreme applications

Suzuki doesn’t provide any performance figures for it, but they explain the special livery of this car in details:

The livery on the Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept is based on the actual Suzuki superbike race design theme and highlights the vehicle’s bloodline connection to the Suzuki GSX-R Superbike. For a more expressive front-end, the lower fascia wears customized LED-based foglights. The Apex Concept is shod with Yokohama S.Drive 245/35-R19 tires, featuring advanced nanotechnology micro-fiber compound to maximize traction in both wet and dry conditions. The wheels are lightweight performance alloys with a “burnt asphalt” finish to communicate this Kizashi turbo’s high level of performance. To make sure all this power is put to use in the right place, the Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept uses Suzuki’s Euro-spec high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.

The Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept’s cabin receives an eye-catching treatment in black leather, with laser blue Alcantara accents on the sport seats and steering wheel.