Suzuki Launches 4x4 Variants of New Swift and Kizashi in Germany

Suzuki is broadening its European lineup with the launch of all-wheel drive variants of its newly introduced 2011 Swift supermini and Kizashi sedan. Starting with the Swift, the 4x4 model is offered exclusively with a 94-horsepower 1.2-liter gasoline engine linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The company said it returns a fuel economy of 6.7 lt/100km urban, 4.9 lt/100km highway and 5.5 lt/100km combined, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The five-door Swift 4x4 is priced in Germany at €14,490 [US$21,000] with standard features including air conditioning and an MP3-capable CD radio with steering wheel controls and a USB port.

The Kizashi 4x4 sedan features Suzuki's so-called intelligent all-wheel drive system (i-AWD), which allows the driver to manually switch the car from front- to all-wheel drive with the push of a button, with power coming from a 178HP-strong 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission.

According to the Japanese automaker, the Kizashi 4x4 averages 11.3 lt/100km in the city, 6.6 lt/100km on highway and 8.3 lt/100km on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 191 g/km.

Prices in Germany start from €29,900 [US$41,000]. The standard equipment package features a two-zone automatic climate control, Xenon headlights, ten-way power adjustable and heated driver's seat with memory function, and more.

Super Bowl Video: Suzuki Kizashi Chased by Evil Snowmen

With the Super Bowl XLV rumored to reach out to a record number of viewers this year, it’s no surprise that automakers are queuing up to take a shot at convincing potential customers to buy their products.

Suzuki’s focus will be on the Kizashi sedan, featured in a TV spot called “Wicked Weather”. The clip shows the all-wheel drive version as it’s being chased by a pack of evil, almost-zombie-like snowmen. While it sounds like an idea uttered in at an Amsterdam café, the CGI is convincing and the Japanese sedan seems to cope well with the snowy roads. Hit the jump to see the video.

This is Suzuki’s first appearance at the Super Bowl and the ad is going to be broadcast in 19 markets, located in the Eastern and Southeastern part of the U.S., as the manufacturer strives to recover from last year’s dwindling sales.

VIDEO: Suzuki Pits Kizashi Against Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 and Volvo S40 in New Ads

Even though Suzuki had high hopes for the new Kizashi, sales of the sedan model haven't exactly blown the socks out of anyone this year. In fact, in the U.S., Suzuki has only managed to deliver a mere 5,269 units of the four-door saloon through November. Do the math and that comes to under 500 cars a month.

But the Japanese automaker isn't about to throw in the towel, not just yet. Marking one of its largest advertising campaigns in years, Suzuki has launched an ambition set of edgy ads pitting the Kizashi against similar sized models in the luxury segment such as the Mercedes-Benz C350, Audi A4 and the Volvo S40.

In each case, the Kizashi is shown in a side-by-side test with one of the aforementioned models plus an outsider, and by that we mean a motorized sofa, a man covered in a bubble-wrap suit and a stretch limousine. Well, you can't blame Suzuki for not having a sense of humor. Scroll down to watch all three ads in the videos below.