Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, GM, Suzuki, Rumormill

Suzuki has big plans for its new Kizashi midsize sedan. Not only is the Kizaski going up against the best selling automobiles in America (the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, that is), it's also reportedly tipped to carry the Japanese automaker's environmentally-friendly ambitions to new heights here in the States.

According to Japan's Nikkei newspaper (via Bloomberg, Suzuki's new midsizer is slated to offer an optional hybrid powertrain for 2011. A gas-electric motivator has been mooted for Kizashi for some time, but this is the first time a firm timetable has been established for the vehicle. If there's any truth to the rumor, this will make the Kizashi Suzuki's first hybrid automobile.

There aren't any details on the expected powertrain, but rumor has it the technology will come from longtime American partner General Motors. That means the Kizashi will either come equipped with GM's BAS mild hybrid system or the much more sophisticated and fuel efficient (and therefore expensive) 2-Mode setup.

For it's part, Bloomberg rather ambiguously informs that Suzuki "spokesman Hideki Taguchi declined to deny the report."

Gallery: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Suzuki Kizashi hybrid sedan tipped for 2011 sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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