I know this section is officially for racing on pavement, but it seems to be host to all kinds of racing with turns which is why I posted here. If anyone thinks it needs to be moved feel free to speak up.

From crash.net

Suzuki confirms WRC bid.

The Suzuki Motor Corporation has finally revealed its future rally plans, confirming at the Geneva Motor Show that it will enter the World Rally Championship from August 2007.

Having revealed the first picture of the SX4 model last week, the company has determine that it will be put to use in the WRC, rather than just as the next challenger for the Junior World Rally Championship, in which the marque has proven so successful over the past few seasons. The announcement coincided with the launch of the road-going SX4 in Switzerland.

The Rally Sport version of the new car has been developed alongside the retail models, and a JWRC version will now be the focus of further detailed development and testing to increase its competitive potential ahead of the proposed WRC challenge next season.

Exact technical details of the SX4 WRC will be revealed as it builds up to its first competitive appearances, but the current specification includes a new two-litre turbo charged J20 engine, which already provides torque of 65kg.m at 3000rpm and 320bhp at 4000-5000rpm. A new all-wheel drive system is being developed for the WRC car by Suzuki, and will include mechanical differentials front and rear and an electronic version mounted centrally. The car is expected to run a five-speed sequential gearbox.



Suzuki's WRC entry is not only an important marketing initiatives for the company, aimed at boosting the image of the brand, but is also welcome news for a WRC category that has been hit by a volley of withdrawals in recent months. Peugeot, Mitsubishi and Skoda all quit the top flight class at the end of last season, while Citroen withdrew its factory team before placing world champion Sebastien Loeb at the satellite Kronos team for 2006. The French manufacturer is expected back full-time next season, with the all-new C4 replacing the successful Xsara WRC.

Suzuki has competed in the JWRC for a number of seasons, introducing the new Swift S1600 to replace the venerable Ignis only last year. The new machine continued its predecessor's successful trend, claiming victory in Sweden on round two of the 2006 campaign three weeks ago.

No drivers have yet been named for the WRC assault, but president Nobuhiro Tajima has already said that he sees no reason to look beyond the raft of JWRC pilots that have served the team so well in recent seasons.

 

cool, i like their new cars. specially that little 4wheel drive wagon that they have

 

awesome.

 

Very cool, I love that car... wait, isnt that the Chevrolet Aveo in the US?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fireant &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very cool, I love that car... wait, isnt that the Chevrolet Aveo in the US?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i thought the aveo was a 4 door with a turnk? Not sure but in street form they have got to be the ugliest thing i have seen since a geo metro

 

i don't understand why Suzuki cannot build cars with the same levels of performance that their motorcycles offer. Every car they have built that is not a concept has been severely lacking in performance while the bikes they produce constantly push the envelope. They need something that is appealing to the public and they would sell other than continually building the blandest cars the market has to offer.

 

Awesome news!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rednas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i don't understand why Suzuki cannot build cars with the same levels of performance that their motorcycles offer. Every car they have built that is not a concept has been severely lacking in performance while the bikes they produce constantly push the envelope. They need something that is appealing to the public and they would sell other than continually building the blandest cars the market has to offer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

can not? or don't want to at this time? I have a strong feelings its the latter of the two, at least in america.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fireant &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very cool, I love that car... wait, isnt that the Chevrolet Aveo in the US?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, the Aveo is this one:



<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i thought the aveo was a 4 door with a turnk?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Here in Venezuela they offer then as a 4 door sedan (Horrible), 5 door hatch (kinda nice) and now they're going to be offering then in 3 door hatch (Very nice bang for the buck option for the Venezuelan market).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rednas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i don't understand why Suzuki cannot build cars with the same levels of performance that their motorcycles offer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm guessing they don't want to take the cost/risk in the American market. But I'm with you - I'd never buy any of their current models, but with the emergence of some popular "hot" hatches (new GTI, Mazda3, etc), I think their missing an opportunity.

 

Hey, thanks for the info Starscream. The three-door looks ncie, and I bet its light.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fireant &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey, thanks for the info Starscream. The three-door looks ncie, and I bet its light. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, maybe I could get one for daily driving duties.

They are going to offer then in two trim levels, I believe the basic will be under 1000 kg. Both versions are going to be powered by the ETEC-II engine (1.6 DOHC with 103 HP, with very nice mileage even though we don't care at all about gas mileage in here, gas is very cheap).

It's a nice alternative for our market, bear in mind ours is very different to the US market.

 

Thank you cheeses... I've been wondering when this was going to happen, not that I don't like the competition this year and the privateer teams competing for the constructors championship, but without the big factory teams it just seems weird.

 

GoGo Rallymaster Suzuki