Suzuki Kizashi Breaks Land Speed Record

LAVERTON, AUSTRALIA – Aug 19, 2010: Suzuki has rewritten the record books with a modified Kizashi setting a new land speed record at Bonneville.

Road & Track journalist Sam Mitani injected the Kizashi into the record books (and himself in the 200 mph club) with his 203.720 mph (327.85 km/h) run at the 2010 Bonneville Speed Week.

In Suzuki’s first official attempt at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats the turbocharged Kizashi exceeded the previous record of 202.301 mph (325.56 km/h).

With temperatures topping 39 degrees Celsius, the Kizashi was running at a density altitude on the flats of 1920 metres.

The record was achieved by calculating the average of a two-way pass at 8:40 am on August 18.

The one-off Kizashi features a Turbonetics turbocharger increasing power from the standard 131 kilowatts to 383 and torque from 230 Newton-metres to an astonishing 698.

With up to 16 pounds of boost, the Kizashi’s increased horsepower required air-to-water intercooling (and snow water/methanol injection) – while its increased output resulted in a new clutch and pressure plate.

A scattershield was added, the oil pan welded for a new drain fitting and a new 3.5-inch exhaust was fabricated for fitment aft of the turbocharger.

The Kizashi platform – and its Nurburgring heritage – was morphed into a salt-specific recipe with new coilovers, steel wheels seam welded, and speed-specific 15x7-inch rubber.

An air dam kept the Kizashi’s nose planted, while window straps and hood pins ensured the hood and glass stayed in place, while a parachute helped bring the high speed show to a controlled and shortened stop.

To learn more about the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special’s record-setting run, race fans can visit www.facebook.com/suzukiauto or www.suzukiauto.com/allpoints/events/bonneville.

In addition, Road & Track’s complete coverage of the 2010 Bonneville Speed Week, including an online video series chronicling the build of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special can be accessed at http://www.roadandtrack.com/special-feature/building-a-record-breaking-kizashi and www.Facebook.com/RoadandTrack.