Suzuki Kizashi EcoCharge and Apex concepts bow in New York [w/video]

[Rania Elhoseny]

Suzuki is building a car that we wish more people knew about – the Kizashi. The automaker's mid-size sedan was featured in Suzuki's first-ever Super Bowl ad, a modified version set a Bonneville speed record and the stock car traveled a grueling trail from Tokyo to Los Angeles. Now, Suzuki has prepared two new concept versions, showing us what might be in store for the Kizashi down the road. And believe us, our fingers are crossed that these two make it to production.

First up, the Kizashi EcoCharge Concept is a hybrid sedan that adds a touch of style to a segment rarely getting that extra dash of curb appeal. (Sorry, Ford Fusion Hybrid – you aren't nearly as pretty as this thing.) Traditional gasoline oomph is provided courtesy of a 2.0-liter inline-four, while a 15-kilowatt motor and 115-volt, air-cooled, lithium-ion battery give the EcoCharge its electric giddy-up. Suzuki says the combination is good for a 25 percent increase over the standard Kizashi's 30-mile-per-gallon highway fuel-economy rating. But it's not just the hybrid powertrain providing the MPG lift – the Kizashi EcoCharge Concept is fitted with start/stop, has regenerative braking and wears low-rolling resistance tires.

To help it stand apart from its standard Kizashi siblings, Suzuki has gussied up the exterior of the EcoCharge. Unique headlights, LEDs in the fascia and a white satin paint job communicate that this Kizashi has something else going on. The LEDs also help communicate that this is still a concept, since we don't think the local authorities would be too fond of the blue lights up front (they're illegal, y'all).

The EcoCharge wasn't the only sedan on the stand. On the other end of the spectrum, the automaker debuted something more focused on outright performance rather than efficiency.

Suzuki is known for far more than its automobiles. To that end, the automaker has created a Kizashi that acts as a bridge between its high-performance motorcycles. Called the Kizashi Apex Concept, Suzuki has seriously upped the power flowing from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Thanks to a Garrett turbocharger, air-to-liquid intercooler, electronic boost control and a recalibrated ECU, the Kizashi Apex will pump out an estimated 275 to 300 horsepower. That power will flow through a six-speed manual transmission, and Suzuki says it's the only tranny that would be offered if the car enters production.

The concept vehicle ties in perfectly with Suzuki's GSX-R race bikes. Both wear the same livery and both are aggresively styled vehicles. Sure, a production version would have to tone down the crazy a notch. All we ask is that the Suzuki make's sure to keep the alcantara inserts, 19-inch wheels and size 245 Yokohama rubber if the car winds up on dealer lots.

Scroll down to read Suzuki's press release about both vehicles and to watch a video of the two cars being revealed live in New York. Be sure to click through our high-res image galleries of both cars, as well.