Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced, at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show, that it will enter the World Rally Championship (WRC) from August, 2007 onwards.

Suzuki will use its all new Sports X-over vehicle SX4 as the basis for its WRC challenge. SX4, also launched at the Geneva Motor Show, is another all new and revolutionary concept from Suzuki.

Suzuki’s WRC entry is one of the most important marketing and sales initiatives for the Corporation’s Automobile Division in recent years. It will boost the image and brand identity of Suzuki as a major and growing manufacturer of cars that are technically excellent, sporty and fun and will also provide technical feedback which will assist in the development of new models for launch in the future as a part of Suzuki’s global new product development programme.

Suzuki’s decision to participate in the WRC – which, alongside F1, is one of the world’s top motor sport championships – follows on from its very successful involvement with its teams in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC). The highlight of this JWRC programme was first place for the Suzuki Ignis Super 1600 in 2004 – in only the third year of participation – in the JWRC Drivers’ Championship.

SX4 is the third all-new model to be launched by Suzuki since March, 2005. The other new products – Swift and Grand Vitara, launched in Europe in March and October, 2005 respectively – have both been very favourably received by the media and motorists throughout the numerous global markets in which they are marketed.

The Rally Sport version of SX4 has been developed alongside the models of SX4 that have been perfected for retail sale. This JWRC version will now be the focus of further detailed development and testing to increase its competitive potential to the maximum in order that it can prove to be a worthy WRC challenger from August, 2007 onwards.

Exact technical details of the new Suzuki SX4 WRC will be announced progressively prior to its first competitive appearances. Development of its power unit and power train is well advanced and the prototype car is equipped with a new 2.0 litre turbo charged J20 engine. This engine already provides torque of 65kg.m at 3,000rpm and 320bhp at 4,000-5,000 rpm.

The new all-wheel drive system developed for the WRC car by Suzuki includes mechanical differentials front and rear and an electronic differential located in the centre. Power is transmitted via a 5-speed sequential gearbox.

Turbocharged

Developed from the J20 engine

Number of cylinders: 4 in line

Aluminium block capacity (cc): 1997

Max power: 235kW (320bhp) @ 4,000-4,500rpm

Max torque: 637Nm (65mkg) @ 3,000rpm

Chain drive DOHC
4 valves per cylinder

ECU (32bit CPU) for Proto car

Length: 4,125 mm
Width: 1,770 mm
Height: 1,450 mm
Wheelbase: 2,525 mm

1,230 kg (minimum authorised)

Rims: Tarmac: 8 x 18 inch; Gravel: 7 x 15 inch
Tyres: Tarmac: 20/65-18; Gravel: 17/65-15
Transmission

4WD Carbon three disc clutch

Centre: electronic differentials

Front and rear: mechanical differentials

Gearbox with sequential controls on the steering wheel (5 speeds)

Tarmac: ventilated discs (dia: 370 mm), 8-pot callipers

Gravel: ventilated discs (dia: 304 mm), 4-pot callipers

Tarmac: ventilated discs (dia: 358 mm), 4-pot calipers

Gravel: ventilated discs (dia: 304 mm), 4-pot callipers

Hydraulic handbrake

Front and rear: MacPherson type with coil spring
Reiger Shock Absorbers
Steering

Hydraulic power assisted