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Suzuki's only World Rally Car, and the first crossover SUV in the WRC before the Ford Puma in 2022. Reportedly, only one chassis remained after Suzuki left WRC.
Engine: J20A 2000cc I4 Turbo
Power: 305 PS/300 hp
Weight: 1230 kg/2712 lbs
Expected Class: Gr.B
While competing in the Super 1600 class of the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) with the Swift in 2005, Suzuki announced that it would move up from the junior ranks and enter the "Big Time" in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with a new 5-door it was developing with Italian auto giant Fiat. That race car would be based on Suzuki's new entry-level hatchback called the Suzuki SX4.
Knowing the racing fate of the new SX4, Suzuki ensured that the car would have exceptional rigidity. As a result, the body of the SX4 was more than 10 percent stiffer in torsional rigidity, more than 20 percent sturdier in beam rigidity, more than 20 percent sturdier in lateral rigidity and the rear suspension attachment points were 190 percent stiffer when compared to the outgoing Swift.
The engine was a turbocharged J20, a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-4 that produced 315 BHP between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm and 433.9 lb-ft of torque at 3,500. It was mated to an electronically-controlled sequential-shift 5-speed gearbox by X Trac. Providing the handling was a strut-type suspension at both front and rear.
The SX4 WRC ran two events in 2007 in preparation for a full season for 2008 with drivers Toni Gardemeister and Per-Gunner Andersson. Their best finish was at Rally Japan, where Andersson finished 5th and Gardemeister 6th.
Sadly, like many of the other auto manufacturers affected by the recession of the mid-2000s, Suzuki announced its withdrawal from the WRC as of December 15, 2008.
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