Suzuki’s first World Rally Car (WR Car) SX4 WRC is a cutting-edge machine for the top rally category, based on Suzuki’s global strategic model SX4 which opened up a new “X-over” genre of passenger cars, and developed utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

As with every WR Car to date, the SX4 WRC combines a 2000cc turbocharged engine with full-time 4WD drivetrain.

Suzuki had proceeded with WR Car development programme for some time, alongside the development of a series of Super 1600 rally cars for the JWRC*. A prototype model of the SX4 WRC was first unveiled to the public in February 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Ever since, machine development continued apace, under the concept “a driver-friendly WR Car offering high controllability under a wide range of rally conditions,” and involving extensive test drives inside and outside of Japan.

We consider the SX4 WRC 2007, which will be entered in two rounds in 2007 – round 13, Rallye de France and the final round 16, Wales Rally GB – to be the final-phase development-test vehicle. Based on data gathered in the course of the test entry, we will be preparing our full-fledged competition machine, the SX4 WRC for 2008 WRC entry.

The rally sport has an exceptional meaning for Suzuki. The activities of the worldwide leading minicar manufacturer extend from local driving training programs, over national brand cups into international championships.

The big successes confirm this complete effort, and prove the exceptional position Suzuki holds in the area of sportive-dynamic and sophisticated vehicles. Their competition use also benefits the customers: the technologies and know-how developed and gained in rally sport are used in the development of new series models.

In that way they contribute to making the fun in sportive driving something everyone can experience. With the entry into the international top level of rally sport – the World Rally Championship (WRC) – Suzuki rounds now off its motor sport engagement.

During the Autosalon in Geneva in March 2006, Suzuki announced that in the future it would join the royal class of rally sport, the WRC. The participation in the WRC is for Suzuki one of their most important marketing and sales strategies in the coming years, and they are expecting a large image improvement from it. In 2008 Suzuki will take part in the first complete WRC competitive season with the new World-Rallye-Car version of the SX4.

The car was extensively tested on gravel and asphalt throughout Japan and Europe, and will undertake two trial runs under real competitive conditions yet this year.

The SX4 WRC 2007 will celebrate its premiere during the Rally de France on October 12th. The second and last test run for the newcomer is scheduled for the Wales Rally GB (November 30 – December 2), before Suzuki enters their first complete WRC season with the Rally Monte Carlo in January.

Suzuki SX4 WRC 2007

Base Model SX4

Engine Specifications
Type: Turbocharged, water-cooled, developed from the J20 engine, in-line 4, DOHC, 16-valve

Engine performance
Max power: 235 kW (320 bhp)/4,000-4,500 rpm
Max torque: 590 Nm (60 kg-m)/3,500 rpm
Fuel supply: ECU (32bit CPU)

Dimensions
Overall length: 4,135 mm
Overall width: 1,770 mm
Overall height: 1,450 mm
Wheelbase: 2,500 mm

Weight 1,230 kg (minimum authorised)

Wheels & Tyres
Wheels:
8 x 18 inch (tarmac)
7 x 15 inch (gravel)
Tyres:
20/65-18 (tarmac)
17/65-15 (gravel)

Brakes
Front:
370 mm ventilated discs (tarmac), 8-pot calipers
300 mm ventilated discs (gravel), 4-pot calipers
Rear:
355 mm ventilated discs (tarmac), 8-pot calipers
300 mm ventilated discs (gravel), 4-pot calipers

Hydraulic handbrake

Suspension
Front and rear:
MacPherson strut with coil springs and Reiger shock absorbers

Powertrain
Driving wheels: Four-wheel drive
Gearbox: 5-speed manual with sequential controls on steering wheel
Clutch: Carbon three-disc
Centre differential: Electronically controlled
Front and rear differentials: Mechanical