Suzuki to enter WRC

[TNT]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At the site of Geneva Motor Show,
Entering WRC from August 2007 has been announced !


On February 28th, Suzuki has announced all new Sport Cross Over Vehicle SX4 at Geneva Motor Show which is held at Geneva, Switzerland. At the same time, Suzuki has announced of entering the WRC from 2007. Suzuki Sport Co., Ltd. President Nobuhiro Tajima and Suzuki Motor Corporation will together proceed this project. Please watch out on Suzuki's all new challenge towards WRC.




Suzuki Press Release Summary (Extract)

Suzuki Motor Corporation announces today [Tuesday, February 28, 2006]
at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show that it will enter the World Rally Championship(WRC) from August, 2007 and onwards.

Suzuki will use its all new Sport X-over vehicle SX4 as the basis for its WRC challenge.

Suzuki will boost the image and brand identity as a manufacturer that are technically excellent, sporty and fun. Also, it will 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 program.

Suzuki's decision to participate in WRC - which, alongside F1, is one of the world's top two motor sport Championships - follows on from its very successful involvement is Junior World Rally Championship.
Driver's Champion was achieved on 2004, only from its original entry on 2002, and on 2006 New Swift Super 1600 has won the first round of JWRC Swedish Rally.



[Suzuki SX4 Outline]

SX4 is third all new model to be launched by Suzuki, after Swift and Grand Vitara.
Two models have been very favorably received by the media and motorists throughout the numerous global markets.

The Rally Sport version of SX4 has been developed alongside the models of SX4 that have been perfected for retail sale. The WRC version will now be the focus of further detailed development and testing to increase its competitive
potential in order to challenge from August 2007.

Exact technical specification of Suzuki SX4 WRC will be announced prior to its first competitive appearance. Prototype car is equipped with a new 2.0 liter turbo charged J20 engine. It provides 235kw(320hp)/4,000～4,500rpm of power and torque of 637Nm(65kg-m)3,000rpm.
Power train is all new All Wheel Drive system developed for WRC car which has mechanical differentials on front and rear and electronic control differential in center. Power is transmitted through 5 speed sequential gearbox.

[GT-R_R34]

that good news since PSG went out i was wondering if the other makes were going to stay a couple of more season and calling it quits.

[TNT]

yeah i diff. think they will do very well, they own the JWRC and have Hill Climb crown too. so they are not newbies in off road racing.

[GT-R_R34]

no i was talking for WRC in general. since the cost of the team and travel. but Suzuki coming to wrc is a good news in genaral. and who could forget the Escudo hill climb.

[gucom]

yupp, happy news
i wonder what that car looks like in the flesh, cos from the press pics it looks quite different than on the pic with the 2 suzuki exec's in it...

[Mattk]

This is good news, good for the sport. It would be interesting to see if they can challenge for top ten positions.

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

Actually it has the second best S1600 model in the world behind the citroen C2, and the car is as good as the popular Renault clio S1600; furthermore, the suzuki is quite better than the supossedly (because of the more unlimited budget) pug 206 S1600, the fiat punto S1600 or the ford fiesta S1600 which it means for me a lot considering that suzuki is not a corporation as the ford group, the PSA or whatever

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

On the other hand I agree with dani (once more) that the ignis resembles too much a van; however, the car is very efficient and reliable, very important aspects