Shanghai show: Suzuki’s low-slung small sedan

SUZUKI revealed its Authentics concept at the Shanghai motor show last weekend, a production-oriented small sedan due to commence production in China during 2014.

Few new details emerged with the vehicle’s unveiling, other than confirmation that production and sales of the final version based on the concept shown here will take place by the end of next year under the Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co joint venture.

There is no word at this stage of sales beyond China but, as GoAuto has reported, Suzuki Australia has expressed its interest in the vehicle should it become available for this market.

The Authentics has a long wheelbase designed specifically for the Chinese market, stretching the C-segment model toward the the mid-size (D) class in a similar way that the revitalised Chinese-owned MG has developed the MG6, which stretches to 4651mm and was launched in Australia last week with pricing from $22,990.

“The main characteristics are its sharp and sporty character lines and an inflected body shape with an elegant curved surface,” Suzuki says.

“By keeping its overall height low and adopting a long wheelbase, it realises a stable, authentic sedan style.” Suzuki also says the model was designed to express both a sporty and elegant feel, pointing to its long and low stance “as well as its strong character line which gives a wind-cutting image along with a rich and fine curved surface”.

The Japanese car-maker released teaser images of the vehicle earlier this month, confirming that the sedan was designed to slot into the C-segment sedan class which has the largest sales volume in the Chinese market.

This was evidenced by new vehicles shown in Shanghai this week, such as the production-oriented Ford Escort and Hyundai Mistra concepts and a Kia Cerato-based sedan to be sold under the South Korean car-maker’s new Chinese market brand Horki.