Suzuki is currently promoting and exposing the SX4t to judge the reaction of the American automotive market. There could be possible plans for a production, factory all-wheel drive and turbocharged Suzuki car to be offered in the US in the next couple years, but it all depends on whether or not Suzuki thinks that they can sell cars. If it is even remotely close to or shares any parts with the rally car, we don't see how they can lose with a WRC-inspired production version. We say, bring it on.
2008 SUZUKI S4TEngine Displacement/Type/Valvetrain: 1995cc, in-line four, aluminum block and head, DOHC
Claimed Crank HP: 221bhp @ 5100 rpm
Claimed Crank Torque: 208lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
Drivetrain/Layout/Transmission: Transverse front engine, all-wheel drive, five-speed manual
Engine Mods: Road Race turbo kit (16G turbocharger, TiAL 38mm wastegate, tubular exhaust manifold, front-mount intercooler, intercooler piping, downpipe, air intake), exhaust, SWT oil cap, battery tie-down
Suspension (Front/Rear): Road Race GRIP lowering springs
Brakes (Front/Rear): Road Race performance brake pads
Wheels (Front/Rear): 17x7.5-inch, Rota Torque
Tires (Front/Rear): 225/45/17, Yokohama Advan Neova
Interior: JDM Suzuki Swift steering wheel, Road Race shift knob, SWT billet pedal set, custom front seat bolster and fabric inserts
Exterior: CarbonTrix carbon fiber vented hood, two-tone paint, roof rack removal
The Many Faces Of The Suzuki SX4The Concept: SXForceDebuted at the 2007 SEMA Show, the Road/Race-built SXForce was designed to remind show goers that Suzuki produces both motorcycles and cars. They didn't forget either with the steering wheel dumped for a set of eye-catching handlebars. The SXForce also uses the same turbocharger setup that eventually ended up on the SX4t, although the front-mount-intercooler was enlarged to show size proportions. The SXForce also sported custom bumpers, interior, sound system, and paint. For obvious reasons, the SXForce is not driveable or able to be tested in any way, but it did do its job well. After the show, everybody was talking about Suzuki's work on the car and the SX4 was back in the spotlight and in everybody's mind.
The Fighter: SX4 WRCThe fastest, most highly modified, and attractive SX4 is, of course, the WRC car. Using a heavily modified but still 2.0-liter J20 engine, the WRC car sports such WRC necessities as a turbocharger with 34mm air inlet restrictor, custom ECU system, custom intercooler and radiator, and anti-lag system. Power output is rated at 320 bhp and 434 lb-ft of torque. The drivetrain has been swapped over to a new all-wheel drive system utilizing an electronic center differential and mechanical front and rear differentials. Eight-piston brakes (with 14.6-inch front rotors) and 18-inch wheels are used for tarmac rallies, while four-piston brakes and 15-inch wheels are called in for gravel duty. Custom Reiger struts are used all around and the car features the standard WRC-spec roll cage and carbon fiber interior. The WRC car's bodywork is also strikingly similar to the production SX4, although the massive rear wing and flared fenders do lend a much more aggressive appearance to the Suzuki.
The Suzuki SX4 WRC has so far been competing with 2008 as its first full season of competition, against the Impreza, Focus, and C4. The best results prior to the New Zealand round have been in the first round (Monte Carlo) where last year's JRC champ Per-Gunnar Andersson and co-driver Jonas Andersson finished in 8th position, and in the second round (Sweden) where veteran WRC driver Toni Gardemeister and co-driver Tomi Tuominen finished in 7th.