Tuesday 25th September 2007

Suzuki Hint At WRC Road Car

A Suzuki car that's as exciting as their motorbikes?

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Road version takes cues from this

Suzuki. Famous for absolute nutter motorbikes, the Escudo Pikes Peak and er....the Wagon- R.

However the Japanese manufacturer has already unveiled plans to campaign a WRC version of their SX4 powered by a 320bhp engine and with four wheel drive. Suzuki insiders claim it will be a genuine competitor to the new Subaru Impreza WRC.

Now we hear a rumour that a road going version may follow with power 'in the region of' 215bhp as well as four wheel drive, big brakes, WRC inspired body kit and sports suspension.

The SX4 as we know it

With the challenging looks of the latest Subaru dividing opinion, could Suzuki be looking to sweep up drivers looking to upgrade from older Imprezas?

[DrGP]

Looks fun - though style is a little similar to the new Scooby?
Expect it will have a favourable price tag if it goes ahead though

[jon-]

Wow, so you CAN polish a turd...

[jaik]

I hope they don't approach this too cautiously. If they go with the full-on WRC kit it would be awesome

[The Wiz]

Well the Swift Sport is very close in terms of looks and spec to the Rally version so theres no reason why they shouldn't do this as well.

[waynepixel]

Sound like a good idea too me, I am thinking more like 250bhp, turbo, maybe even 300bhp

[wab172uk]

I could be tempted.

It need 300BHP though.

[Road_Terrorist]

Sounds good, we haven't had new blood in this AWD turbo pseudo rally car segment for a while.

Hyundai are also supposed to be mulling over something similar.

[Twincam16]

When will Guy Wilkins break through to the WRC?

[joz8968]

Looks like the lovechild of the old 206 WRC and the previous model Focus WRC! - I like it a lot.

If the road going version's looks all but ape the WRC car, then what a fantastic motor it be. Thing is it's bound to be a half-hearted effort - it invariably won't have any bigger arches for a start. Also, it'll definately need AT LEAST circa 260bhp (215 with 4WD in a modern hatch? - forget it) to make it interesting...

[jaik]

joz8968 said:

Looks like the lovechild of the old 206 WRC and the previous model Focus WRC! - I like it a lot.

If the road going version's looks all but ape the WRC car, then what a fantastic motor it be. Thing is it's bound to be a half-hearted effort - it invariably won't have any bigger arches for a start. Also, it'll definately need AT LEAST circa 260bhp (215 with 4WD in a modern hatch? - forget it) to make it interesting...

Are the arches much different to the standard SX4? If you look at the photos they don't seem to be. They're pretty flared on the styling of the standard car.

[dinkel]

That little Suzi looked good from the start. Good effort. New Scooby looks

[The Hitman]

If they make it the around the same height as the WRC car and not try and fob it off as some soft-roader crap, I think it might be a good contender. Maybe not as good, but we'll see...I'm crossing my fingers!

[jacobyte]

Twincam16 said:

When will Guy Wilkins break through to the WRC?

Probably some time after Guy Wilks does it.

[shadowninja]

Of course, in reality, it will have 60bhp and a 0.6 litre engine with a heavy bodykit.

Come on, Suzuki, do the right thing!!

[Midgster]

I have it on good authority (father in law is heavily involved with the Suzuki Rally Events within Suzuki) that the WRC bodykit is going to be available as an option for the regular SX4 too, and is pretty much an exact replica kit, right down to a carbon fibre rear wing.

As for the BHP of the motor, haven't got a clue!!!

[joz8968]

Midgster said:

I...the WRC bodykit is going to be available as an option for the regular SX4 too, and is pretty much an exact replica kit, right down to a carbon fibre rear wing...

Hurrah! At last a manufacturer with the courage and conviction!

It never ceases to amaze me why manufacturers don't produce cars that ape the looks of their WRC counterparts (homologation in reverse if you will, ha) - the potential petrolhead market must be huge?! Car nuts love pukka-ness.

Whatever happened to the touted Focus 'WRC' production car - it was a fantastic looking thing - with the hardware to match! What did we end up with? - yep, another run of the mill 200+ bhp FWD uber hatch in the ST (that's far too heavy). I hate car clinic compromise, when it comes to flagship models!

[sosidge]

Would be great to see Suzuki go the whole hog with this.

About time we had some more turbo-nutter-rally-special-for-the-road cars to choose from.

[WhoseGeneration]

Please, I like the size of small cars, like my wife's Micra 160SR, I like the awd and performance of my Scooby.
I want the size of the Micra with the performance of my Scooby.
Not much to ask?
I know it is really.
Packaging etc.

[FestivAli]

215hp is a good ballpark figure. If the make the (in my opinion awesome looking) Kizashi, that would make a good mid-range engine for that car, so why not get the economies and stuff it in the SX4? In Australia the hot-hatch market has gone ballistic, and the fact that the SX4 has a 4wd drivetrain offering means sub-impreza turbo funbucket. As for the SX4 itself, its docile but competent car, chucking in some herbs might make it worth considering. Price it around 30k Australian and go hunting Frog Gtis in the marketplace. Avertise with rally car in the ad and they'll sell a few.

Ali.

[dinkel]

Since the GTi's have moved up a big step - from 115 hp to way over 200 and growing - there's a place for small kits like these.