Posted: 13 Mar 2010 08:01 PM PST

Picture if you will a handsome looking four door sedan, sized on the smaller end of the mid-size market. It has a nicely styled and appointed interior. Power from the four cylinder engine is put to the road through an advanced all-wheel-drive system. This car can handle curvy rural roads with the grace you'd expect of a car developed on German autobahns and racetracks. This description sounds an awful light like an Audi A4.

In fact we just spent a week with the new Suzuki Kizashi. When people hear the name Suzuki, they generally think either small SUVs or motorcycles, often very, very fast motorcycles. Cars not so much. The Kizashi is Suzuki's latest attempt to break into the heart of the U.S. car market. Suzuki is one of the best selling car brands in Japan but it does so selling tiny urban commuters for the crowded streets of cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Americans prefer something more ample in size.

The Kizashi first appeared as a series of concepts that grabbed a lot of attention in 2007 and 2008. The design was toned significantly by the time it hit the streets of America in late 2009 but this is still a good looking car. At 183.1 long overall, the Kizashi is 7 inches shorter than a Ford Fusion and the wheelbase is 1.1 inches less than the Ford.

The pronounced shoulder curve that runs the length of the body combines with the flared wheel arches and relatively short overhangs to give the Kizashi an athletic looking stance. The standard 18 inch alloy wheels on our SLS test example add to that planted, hunkered down appearance avoiding the small wheel, tippy look of some past Suzuki cars.

At the front the tall, bold grille looks almost Audi-esque giving the impression that this upstart really does want to challenge the respected German. Move inside the Kizashi and the upscale impression continues. Even though the dash is predominantly composed of hard rather than soft-touch plastics, it looks good. The seats are covered in black leather as are the thick rimmed steering wheel and part of the door panels above the arm rest. The front seats are comfortable and offer decent amount of lateral support for more spirited driving.

The Kizashi SLS that we drove was equipped with a 425 watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system with 10 speakers. The audio system sounds good with all kinds of music. All Kizashis get a USB port to connect an iPod. Unfortunately the controls on the audio system only allow forward and back control through the current playlist. navigating the entire menu doesn't seem to be possible.

All Kizashis from the base $18,999 S model up to the top SLS trim level get automatic dual zone climate control with additional vents at back end of the center console. The back seat isn't as roomy as what you'll find in a larger Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. It will however accommodate a 6 foot 14 year old in reasonable comfort. As with most cars in this segment, three adults will find themselves rather crowded in back, but kids shouldn't have any problem.

For now all Kizashis are powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four that produces 185 horsepower with the six-speed manual transmission or 180 hp with the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). CVT equipped cars like our tester get paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel allowing some limited degree of manual control.

CVTs have generally not found favor with most American drivers because of the way that they allow the engine to rev up to some fixed speed and hold it there as the car accelerates and drive ratio changes. In the case of the Kizashi, that generally means the engine spins up to about 4,000 rpm and holds there. Some other CVT equipped sport sedans are programmed to operate across a set of fixed ratios more like a conventional automatic transmission. The CVT in the Kizashi also seems to sap much of the life out of the engine, leaving the car feeling sluggish even when shifting manually. We'd recommend that those looking for more fun stick with the manual transmission.

The highlight of the Kizashi comes on the open road. Suzuki spent a significant amount of its development time tuning the suspension at the legendary Nurburgring race track in Germany. The Kizashi has excellent body control just the right balance of spring rates and damping. The roads around our part of southeast Michigan are notoriously bad but the Kizashi remains on an even keel at all times. The suspension absorbs the frost heaves and potholes very well for a car with such large wheels and low profile tires.

Around corners the steering is direct and precise although feedback could be better. The all wheel drive provided sure-footed grip during some late winter snow, making this a viable alternative to a Subaru Legacy or a Quattro equipped Audi A4.

The CVT is not particularly responsive to commands issued with the paddle shifters. Ratio changes are lethargic and the ratios you get aren't always predictable. Instead of gears 2,3,4 and 5 always being the same, the transmission control seems to modify them based on the conditions. For what is billed as a sports sedan by Suzuki, the transmission control should be more predictable.

Aside from the unimpressive CVT, the Kizashi is a pleasantly compact, nimble and agile drivers car. Later this year Suzuki is expected to add a V6 engine to the lineup and a hybrid powertrain is under development. Personally we'd like to see Suzuki skip the V6 and go with a turbocharged version of the four. Pair that with a dual clutch transmission like Volkswagen's DSG and you'd have a powertrain capable of taking advantage of this chassis making it a true cut-rate Audi. It would likely do better than the 22 mpg we saw in a week of driving the CVT car.

The Kizashi starts at $18,999 for a front wheel drive S model with manual transmission. Our thoroughly equipped SLS with all wheel drive had a bottom line of $27,484 including delivery charges.

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Are loud motorcycles legal? - Seattle Post Intelligencer

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 08:18 AM PST

Different forms of this question came from several readers:

Q: Are motorcycles with loud exhausts legal? Do they ever get ticketed?

A: Police say some motorcycle exhaust systems are illegal, though specific statistics on how often Seattle motorcycle riders get cited for them were not available.

Seattle Police spokesman Mark Jamieson references Seattle Municipal Code 11.57.280:

No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle not equipped as required by Sections 11.84.060 and 11.84.080 or which has been amplified as prohibited by this section so that the vehicle's exhaust noise exceeds ninety-five (95) decibels as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1169, (May, 1998). (RCW 46.37.390(3))

"It doesn't have to be modified," Jamieson said of a motorcycle's exhaust system. "If someone is sitting there with a stock motorcycle and its really loud, they would be cited for excessive noise."

People on bikes violating the city law can get a $124 ticket. But how often are those tickets issued?

"It really depends on how busy the night is," he said. "If there are shootings and robberies and assaults, we're not going to be citing people for excessive noise on vehicles because we're too busy."

Calls to police are prioritized depending on the severity of the call. But police say all 911 calls get some kind of response.

According to section 11.84.080 of the code, all motor vehicles must be equipped with a muffler in good working order at all times and in constant operation.

A quiet library averages 30 decibels; a lawnmower averages 90 decibels, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. An alarm clock or busy street average 80 decibels; a jet engine and firearms average 130 decibels, according to the Association.

Jim McCaslin, president and chief operating officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, called the issue of excessive motorcycle noise one of the company's toughest challenges "because of its potential to divide and destroy our sport."

Here's more of McCaslin's comments from the Harley-Davidson Web site:

Today, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have more power and performance than our predecessors could have ever imagined, but with all due respect, we love to hear them coming. That doesn't mean louder noise equals even more power, however. It's an interesting misconception. Testing has proven that straight pipes do not necessarily outperform pipes with lower noise levels. Pick the wrong pipes and you can severely reduce your horsepower and/or your torque. And while you're doing it, you'll awaken the sleeping giant of social concern that lives next door to all of us.

Thanks to people who submitted questions. Please keep submitting questions. We'll continue this as a regular Seattle 911 feature.

Click on the links for previous answers.

Is there a legal limit for the number of pit bulls in a Seattle home?
Is proof of insurance required in rental cars?
Car rolls backwards downhill and crashes. Who is at fault?
Do you have to drive all the way around traffic circles?
Is it legal for bikers 'riding the line' of bike lanes?
Are left turns onto one-way streets allowed at red lights?
Are cars required to have one license plate or two?
Rear-end accident: Who's at fault?
Why are cops exempt from hands-free cell phone law?
Is it possible to beat a Breathalyzer by sucking on a penny?
Is it illegal for dogs to ride in truck beds unsecured?
Is there a quick way to get Seattle crime statistics?
Can you get a DUI on a bicycle?
Are authorities at funeral processions on the clock?
How can I get officers to patrol downtown gang areas?
Why don't police arrest more Critical Mass cyclists?
When do school speed zone limits apply?
Why do police speed without their lights and sirens?
Do construction companies pay for an officer's presence or do the taxpayers pick up the tab?
Why are police officers allowed to drive their cruisers to and from their homes, sometimes more than 30 miles out of their jurisdictions?
How do the police gain access into a secured apartment complex in the case of an emergency?
Is it legal to drive with pets in your lap?
How to bust people illegally using handicapped parking.
How to voice concerns about buses.
What cops need to patrol condos better.
How do we get a car pool ramp monitored?
Is it legal to drive barefoot or with flip-flops?
Do gravel trucks have to cover their loads?
What should I do when non-emergency line has no answer?

Submitted questions may be edited or paraphrased for length.

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Just Released: "Automotive: Poland Industry Guide" - PR Inside

Posted: 07 Mar 2010 06:28 PM PST

2010-03-08 03:25:38 - Recently published research from Datamonitor, "Automotive: Poland Industry Guide", is now available at Fast Market Research

Datamonitor's Automotive: Poland Industry Guide is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the Poland Automotive industry. It includes detailed data on market size and segmentation, textual analysis of the key trends and competitive landscape, and profiles of the leading companies. This incisive report provides expert analysis with distinct chapters for Light trucks, Medium & Heavy Trucks, Motorcycles,

New Cars and Trucks

Scope of the Report

* Contains an executive summary and data on value, volume and segmentation for Light trucks, Medium & Heavy Trucks, Motorcycles, New Cars and Trucks
* Provides textual analysis of the industry's prospects, competitive landscape and profiles of the leading companies
* Incorporates in-depth five forces competitive environment analysis and scorecards
* Includes five-year forecasts for Light trucks, Medium & Heavy Trucks, Motorcycles, New Cars and Trucks

Highlights

* The Polish trucks market generated total revenues of $2.9 billion in 2009, representing a compound annual rate of change (CARC) of -1% for the period spanning 2005-2009.
* The Polish light trucks market generated total revenues of $831.1 million in 2009, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% for the period spanning 2005-2009.
* The Polish medium and heavy trucks market generated total revenues of $2.1 billion in 2009, representing a compound annual rate of change (CARC) of -2.6% for the period spanning 2005-2009.
* The Polish motorcycles market generated total revenues of $379.2 million in 2008, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 75.7% for the period spanning 2004-2008.
* The Polish new cars market generated total revenues of $7 billion in 2009, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% for the period spanning 2005-2009.

Why you should buy this report

* Spot future trends and developments
* Inform your business decisions
* Add weight to presentations and marketing materials
* Save time carrying out entry-level research

For more information or to purchase this report, go to:
- www.fastmr.com/prod/53800_automotive_poland_industry_guide.aspx

Partial Table of Contents:

CHAPTER 1 LIGHT TRUCKS IN POLAND 12
1.1 Market Overview 12
1.2 Market Value 14
1.3 Market Volume 15
1.4 Market Segmentation I 16
1.5 Market Segmentation II 17
1.6 Market Share 18
1.7 Five Forces Analysis 19
1.8 Market Forecasts 25
CHAPTER 2 MEDIUM & HEAVY TRUCKS IN POLAND 27
2.1 Market Overview 27
2.2 Market Value 29
2.3 Market Volume 30
2.4 Market Segmentation I 31
2.5 Market Segmentation II 32
2.6 Market Share 33
2.7 Five Forces Analysis 34
2.8 Market Forecasts 40
CHAPTER 3 MOTORCYCLES IN POLAND 42
3.1 Market Overview 42
3.2 Market Value 44
3.3 Market Volume 45
3.4 Market Segmentation I 46
3.5 Market Segmentation II 47
3.6 Market Share 48
3.7 Five Forces Analysis 49
3.8 Market Forecasts 57
CHAPTER 4 NEW CARS IN POLAND 59
4.1 Market Overview 59
4.2 Market Value 61
4.3 Market Volume 62
4.4 Market Segmentation 63
4.5 Market Share 64
4.6 Five Forces Analysis 65
4.7 Market Forecasts 71
CHAPTER 5 TRUCKS IN POLAND 73
5.1 Market Overview 73
5.2 Market Value 75
5.3 Market Volume 76
5.4 Market Segmentation I 77
5.5 Market Segmentation II 78
5.6 Market Share 79
5.7 Five Forces Analysis 80
5.8 Market Forecasts 87
CHAPTER 6 MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS 89
CHAPTER 7 APPENDIX 91
7.1 Data Research Methodology 91

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Poland Light Trucks Market Value: $ million, 2005-2009 (e) 14
Table 2: Poland Light Trucks Market Volume: Units thousand, 2005-2009 (e) 15
Table 3: Poland Light Trucks Market Segmentation I: % Share, by Value, 2009 (e) 16
Table 4: Poland Light Trucks Market Segmentation II: % Share, by Value, 2009 (e) 17
Table 5: Poland Light Trucks Market Share: % Share, by Volume, 2009 (e) 18
Table 6: Poland Light Trucks Market Value Forecast: $ million, 2009-2014 25
Table 7: Poland Light Trucks Market Volume Forecast: Units thousand, 2009-2014 26
Table 8: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Value: $ billion, 2005-2009(e) 29
Table 9: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Volume: Units thousand, 2005-2009(e) 30
Table 10: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Segmentation I: % Share, by Value, 2009(e) 31
Table 11: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Segmentation II: % Share, by Value, 2009(e) 32
Table 12: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Share: % Share, by Volume, 2009(e) 33
Table 13: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Value Forecast: $ billion, 2009-2014 40
Table 14: Poland Medium & Heavy Trucks Market Volume Forecast: Units thousand, 2009-2014 41
Table 15: Poland Motorcycles Market Value: $ million, 2004-2008 44
Table 16: Poland Motorcycles Market Volume: Units thousand, 2004-2008 45
Table 17: Poland Motorcycles Market Segmentation I: % Share, by Value, 2008 46

Full ToC is available at:
-- www.fastmr.com/catalog/product.aspx?productid=53800&dt=t

About Datamonitor

The Datamonitor Group is a world-leading provider of premium global business information, delivering independent data, analysis and opinion across the Automotive, Consumer Markets, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Logistics & Express, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Retail, Technology and Telecoms industries. Datamonitor's market intelligence products and services ensure that you will achieve your desired commercial goals by giving you the insight you need to best respond to your competitive environment. View more research from Datamonitor at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1002

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.