Hayabusa Powered Smart Car Photos & Volvo

Eat this, Ken Block! In today’s podcast, Lieberman and I were talking about the forthcoming Brabus tuned Smart car, and I mentioned having seen some vids of insane Hayabusa powered Smart cars. I appreciate that Hayabusa is the “go to” engine for making a total monster out of your light car, motorbike, ATV, Ariel Atom, or whatever else. This ain’t exactly brand new, but it’s still wickedly cool. Check the vid after the jump, and look closely at around 0:57 of the video for a snazzy trick.
via:Autofiends

Other article:
Latest Spy Photos:Suzuki Kizashi in Germany
Spied:Suzuki Kizashi Interior
Spied: Suzuki Swift JWRC Special Edition in Japan
Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Headed for New York
Suzuki Kizashi Concept at Frankfurt
Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

Latest Spy Photos:Suzuki Kizashi in Germany

The Kizashi will be Suzuki's first mid-size sedan as the compact carmaker moves its brand upmarket and introduces products into the middle segment of the passenger car market. The mid-size segment is one of the most fiercely competitive in the US market and the Kizashi will go up against best-selling models such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and the Chevy Malibu.


These most recent spy shots of the upcoming Suzuki Kizashi are some of the best seen so far. They provide a pretty good view of the car and you can get an idea of what its final design will be as it gets closer to production. The accompanying photos were taken earlier this week while the Kizashi was undergoing testing in Germany under very light camouflage.


The sedan will come with a 2.5 liter/150 hp 4 cylinder engine and a meatier 3.6 liter V6 with about 300 hp coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.


Suzuki has announced it will also later produce a wagon and CUV version of the Kizashi. The Kizashi will be built in Sagara, Japan, and will be launched in the US in early 2010.
Source:World Car Fans



Other article:
Spied:Suzuki Kizashi Interior
Spied: Suzuki Swift JWRC Special Edition in Japan
Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Headed for New York
Suzuki Kizashi Concept at Frankfurt
Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

Spied: Suzuki Swift JWRC Special Edition in Japan

Based on the Suzuki Sport which launched in Europe in late 2006 with a 125 bhp (91 kW) 1.6 liter DOHC VVT engine, these pictures show an updated body kit which includes redesigned front bumper, side skirts, tail lights and rear bumper fascia. More specifically the front bumper has fog lamps with painted silver surround and LED driving lights plus JWRC badge on the rear door upper frame.


A loyal WCF reader from Japan has sent us these interesting images that he took of what appears to be a special Suzuki Swift JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) model.


Over the summer Suzuki released the Suzuki SX4 WRC Special Edition for the German market and now it appears the same will be applied to the Suzuki Swift to commemorate the recently concluded 2008 JWRC season.


The Swift JWRC will most likely receive interior treatments similar to the SX4 WRC such as a leather shift knob, carbon trim details, CD-Radio-Navigation system, dark tinted glass and key-less 'Entry and Start'.
Source:World Car Fans




Other article:
Suzuki Enters WRC in 2007
Spied:Suzuki Kizashi Interior
Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Headed for New York
Suzuki Kizashi Concept at Frankfurt
Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

New Suzuki DZire for India

Swift sedan

Suzuki is planning on displaying some power in North America with a new sports sedan, in India they take a somewhat less extreme route. Tomorrow Maruti Suzuki will launch the Suzuki Swift DZire, a sedan version of the hatchback.

Officially Suzuki has released some teaser images, but IBNLive has taken the new car for a test drive already and published the video on their website. The front of the car stays mostly the same (new grille) but the rear has been radically redesigned resulting in double the trunk space.

Suzuki is looking to compete in the entry-level mid-size segment with the Renault Logan and Tata Indigo. The new Swift DZire is expected to cost about Rs 75,000 (Euro 1,200) more than the Swift hatchback.

Whether this Swift sedan will ever make it out of India is doubtful now that Suzuki has already debuted the SX4 sedan in North America and Europe.

Source: MarutiSuzuki

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Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Headed for New York

Suzuki plans to debut the latest in its Kizashi series of design concepts at the New York Auto Show in March. The Concept Kizashi 3 is an upscale sports sedan, and based on early sketches released by Suzuki, could be close to production. The Concept Kizashi 3 will be joined on the New York stand by the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2. It will be the first North American appearance for the Kizashi concept series.

Inspired by the theme of a "dynamic athlete in motion," the Kizashi concepts hint at a new design language for Suzuki's automotive lineup. With the recent introduction of the Equator pickup truck, Suzuki has hinted strongly at plans to expand the lineup further with a flagship luxury sedan. Could the Concept Kizashi 3 be it? We'll find out in a couple of weeks.
Press Release

Brea, Calif., (March 6, 2008) – The New York International Auto Show welcomes American Suzuki Motor Corp. on Thursday, March 20, as the company debuts its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, the final addition to its acclaimed Kizashi concept series. The Concept Kizashi 3, which suggests both Suzuki’s future design direction and stated intent to offer a larger, more upscale sport sedan, will be joined in New York by the North American debuts of the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2.

The Kizashi concept series was developed by Suzuki’s Advanced Design Group to reflect a dynamic athlete in motion, taking its design cues from a strong, honed physique while displaying the performance, strength and style befitting a flagship vehicle. The design theme began with the Concept Kizashi, which made its debut at the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the Concept Kizashi 2, unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show last October, which further pushed Suzuki’s new design language. The Concept Kizashi 3 will represent the completion of the Kizashi concept series as well as providing a closer-to-production vision of a future Suzuki sport sedan offering. The complete Kizashi concept series will be revealed at the Suzuki press conference on Thursday, March 20, at 12:10 p.m. in booth 1215 at the Javits center.

Source: Suzuki

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New Suzuki Splash: First Details

World Premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt / Available with three engines with CO2 emissions below 140 g/km With the Splash, a new fresh and exciting small passenger car, Suzuki Motor Corporation intends to gain a significant market share in this growing market segment in Europe. The new flexible compact car combines the sportiness of Suzuki's successful model Swift with the technologies and immense know-how of the Japanese world market leader in the mini car segment. The Splash is not the successor of any specific former Suzuki model, but a brand-new concept to satisfy the needs of demanding European customers in terms of roominess, compactness, modern design, aerodynamics, quality, driveability, performance and environmental friendliness.



The safety equipment encompasses state-of-the-art features such as six airbags and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP®*). It looks fresh, energetic, juvenile and emotional and thereby underlines the aspiration of its name Splash. Within the global growth strategy of Suzuki, the Splash is already the fourth entirely new model within three years after the launch of Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 which all embody Suzuki's unique 'Way of Life!'-philosophy. Within this market segment, the car convinces with a relatively tall body (1.6 metres) based on the chassis from the sporty Swift. With its overall length of 3.7 metres and width of 1.7 metres it offers an amply tall and comfortable roomy cabin with sufficient legroom for adults on all seats. Its modern design leads to excellent aerodynamic efficiency and consequently to low carbon-dioxide emissions. The Splash will make its worldwide debut at the International Motor Show in September in Frankfurt am Main. Sales of the car with its excellent ride comfort will start as of spring 2008.


It will be available with two different petrol engines: a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, 12-valve unit with maximum power of 48kW (65hp) and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve unit with maximum power of 63kW (86hp). With these engines, low friction and plentiful flat torque delivery at low and mid-range speeds help to ensure good driveability across the rev range while promoting fuel economy and limiting CO2 emissions. Customers preferring a diesel engine can choose a proven 1.3-litre, common rail, 16-valve unit with optional particulate filter and a maximum power of 55kW (75hp). In light of the growing need for environmental compatibility, emissions of all three engines with 5-speed manual gearbox are between only 120g/km and 140g/km. The petrol engines were both newly developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation as next-generation power engines. The diesel engine will be produced at Suzuki's plant in India under licence from GM Powertrain Europe. Suzuki aims to sell up to 60,000 units per year of the Splash in Europe. The brand-new model has been developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and will be produced by its subsidiary company Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Hungary. * ESP is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG.




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Suzuki Splash - More Details

• All-Suzuki engineering and specifically styled for Europe

• New design based on platform of best selling Swift

• Efficient, Suzuki manufactured, petrol and diesel engines

• Six airbags and ESP® available

• Built in ultra-modern factory in Hungary

• World debut at 2007 IAA International Motor Show, Frankfurt

Suzuki Motor Corporation, the world leader in the compact car segment, introduces Splash, an all-new compact model aimed at building on the success of the loveable Swift. Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is the fourth all new Suzuki model within just three years, and it epitomises Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life!’ philosophy, underpinning its strategy of building cars that excite customers all over the world.

Splash for Europe will be built in Esztergom, Hungary, by Magyar Suzuki Corporation, a Suzuki subsidiary that already builds Swift, SX4 and Ignis. Suzuki will also be manufacturing the second generation Agila for Opel/Vauxhall at this plant. With identical engineering, the main visual differences between Splash and Agila include different styling at front (bonnet, wings, headlamps and bumper) and rear (tailgate, tail lights and bumper).

Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe. Opened in 1992, the Esztergom factory has produced over one million Suzukis to date.

Splash cannot be considered to be the successor of the Wagon R+, the enlarged version of the Wagon R which in 1993 was originally developed for the Japanese market, and later also introduced in Europe. “Based on completely different criteria, Splash’s design is mainly tailored to the requirements of European customers,” explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project’s Chief Engineer. Splash comes with attractive styling, compact dimensions, responsive handling, very good build quality and a high degree of environmental compatibility.

While the focus of Phase One of Suzuki’s “World-Strategy” was on sportiness, Splash is the first model in Phase Two which will focus on young families as its main target group. Apart from fresh and sporty styling, young couples with and without children attach great importance to attributes such as spaciousness, flexibility and economy.

Rather than a purely functional box shape, the designers have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and zesty, energetic performance.

Styling and the design philosophy

The styling team for Splash was headed by Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV.

It soon became clear that whilst it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV this car must keep all of its advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and great flexibility allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into a substantial stowage space.

In order to get up-to-date information, a group of 10 Suzuki designers from Japan travelled to Germany in January, 2004 to spend a period of six months there. They analysed European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design.

Out of their impressions and findings, they finally distilled three models, which, in so called ‘car clinics’, were then presented to audiences of owners of compact cars and small MPVs. In the end, these audiences favoured the model offering the optimum combination of dynamic sportiness with youthful styling, implying a positive attitude to life and maximum suitability for everyday and recreational use.

At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented ‘Project Splash’, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Splash.
One thing is certain: Splash will be a major player in the mini-MPV segment. While ideally suited to tight parking conditions, the 3.72 m-long car nevertheless offers sufficient space for up to five occupants plus plenty of sports and leisure equipment.

Apart from attractive styling, a cute minicar also requires the best engineering. This includes safe and precise handling, outstanding ride comfort, a high degree of environmental compatibility, and optimum passive and active safety. Hence Splash uses a 30 mm shorter wheelbase version of the Swift’s platform, Suzuki’s current best seller.

The chassis, steering and brakes were adapted to the new parameters in extensive tests, which included tens of thousands of miles of testing over various types of European roads, from English cobblestones, through twisty southern Spanish tracks to fast German autobahns.

Choice of three engines

Splash will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in Spring, 2008. Customers will have the choice of three engines – two petrol and a diesel. The petrol units are 100% Suzuki designs, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit producing 65 PS (48 kW) and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 86 PS (63 kW). Both are of advanced four-valve-per-cylinder design, offering a sophisticated combination of smoothness, low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.3-litre common-rail direct injection engine available with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Producing 75 PS (55 kW), this 4-cylinder unit is manufactured by Suzuki at its new diesel engine plant in India under licence from Fiat Group Automobiles.

All three engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 86 PS petrol version can also be ordered with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Given the stricter standards now being demanded with respect to environmental compatibility, all engines are Euro4-compliant, with CO2 emissions between 120 and 140 g/km in combination with manual transmissions.

Safety

Suzuki has paid great attention to safety measures in the design of Splash. Active safety features include ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and ESP®. Passive safety features include six airbags (dual front side and curtain airbags), a crash-optimised, rigid passenger cell, plus seatbelt-force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. For enhanced pedestrian protection the front end of Splash is fitted with energy-absorbing structures.

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New Suzuki Splash: First Details
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Suzuki Splash Pricing for UK

Suzuki’s all-new compact model Splash goes on sale in the UK this March 8. The pricing starts at £8,999 for the 1.2 GLS model, and £9,499 for the 1.2 GLS+ model that comes with 15 inch alloys, front fog lamps, and ‘privacy glass’ on the rear side windows and tailgate. Both models are offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while a 4-speed automatic GLS+ is also available at £10,349.

Powertrain options are between the 86 hp 1.2-litre petrol and 75 hp 1.3-liter diesel engines. The diesel model has the same specifications as the GLS+ and starts at £10,499.

Built in Suzuki’s ultra-modern factory in Hungary, the Splash is specifically engineered and styled for the European market. In terms of safety, all three models come with ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, six airbags and ESP®. Other standard specifications would include an information display, a CD tuner with MP3 player, front electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height-adjustable front seats, and many more.


Press Release

SUZUKI ANNOUNCES SPLASH PRICES

Prices for Suzuki’s all-new Splash mini-MPV, which goes on sale 8 March, will start from £8,999 for the 1.2 GLS model rising to £9,499 for the 1.2 GLS+, which adds 15 inch alloys, front foglamps and privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate.

Both are powered by an 86 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The GLS+ model can also be equipped with a 4-speed automatic, priced £10,349. Combined fuel consumption is 51.4 mpg for the manual, 47.9 mpg for the automatic.

For those whose preference is diesel, the 1.3 DDiS model, with an identical specification to the GLS+, is £10,499. Its 75 PS Fiat-derived turbo diesel is capable of 62.8 mpg on the combined cycle and emits only 120 g/km carbon dioxide, making it eligible for £35 annual road tax.

Splash is one of the safest cars in its class – all models are equipped with six airbags – including two full length curtain airbags – and ESP® electronic stability as standard – reflecting Suzuki GB’s policy to make ESP® a universal fitment on all new models and all major facelifts.

All Splash models are also equipped with a CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-trimmed steering wheel; remote central locking; front electric windows with driver’s auto-down; air conditioning; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; height-adjustable front seats; tilt adjustable steering wheel; and an information display.
Petrol models are insurance group 3E, the diesel model 4D.



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Suzuki Splash - More Details
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Suzuki Equator Concept Image

New Pick-up truck for USA

Suzuki and Nissan had already announced that they would be co-operating on a new pick-up truck for Suzuki back in December. The Suzuki Equator, as it will likely be called, is based on the Nissan Frontier pick-up and will go into production later in 2008.

There has been no official word on it, but the internet buzz is talking of a Chicago debut next week for he new Suzuki Equator. Truck Trend, Motor Trend's truck division, has gladly broken the embargo, as they did with the Hummer H3T too, by releasing their March / April issue early.

Jalopnik has dusted off their scanner and posted the incriminating image. Stay tuned for the official debut next week Wednesday.

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Suzuki Enters WRC in 2007

Suzuki SX4 as basis for WRC challenge

Suzuki Motor Corporation announces at the 76^th 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 today at the Geneva 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.

Outline of the Suzuki SX4 WRC

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. Currently 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.

Suzuki Geared Up For First Full WRC Season

Suzuki is prepared to embark on their first ever full World Rally Championship season, with Finish driver Toni Gardemeister and Swedish driver Per-Gunnar Andersson helming the team. After running in the Corsica and Great Britain rally races last year, the team is ready to go for the 2008 competition. Andersson won the Junior Rally Championship in a Suzuki Swift 1600 last year.

Starting with the Monte Carlo Rally this week, Suzuki will be vying for a a top slot in each of the 15 rally races this year. Awards for the Monte Carlo will be presented on Sunday. Suzuki has ran the race in Monte Carlo six times, but only in the Junior class. This will be their first run in the historic WRC event.

Each of the rally teams will use Pirelli control tires with the same tread pattern and compound. If needed, drivers may cut the tires by hand to help them race on water and gravel. Short studs can also be used, since icy roads are not uncommon in this race.

Suzuki is also running two cars in the same race for the first time ever. They are expected to do so for the entire season, barring any unforseen incidents.

Driver Toni Gardmeister played down the team's chances of winning, saying, "It’s fantastic for me to be back in the World Championship with Suzuki, and if things go well for us in Monte Carlo I think we can come away with points. The car is still new, so we’re not going to be on the pace of the frontrunners yet, but the overall set-up and reliability is good."

Press Release

76th Monte Carlo Rally (MC), January 24-27 2008

Suzuki World Rally Team embarks on first full season of world rallying

Following two test events in Corsica and Great Britain last year, the Suzuki World Rally Team now embarks on its first full season of world rallying with two new drivers: Toni Gardemeister from Finland and Per-Gunnar Andersson from Sweden, the reigning Junior Rally Champion with Suzuki.

The first of the 15 rounds that make up the 2008 World Rally Championship is the legendary Monte Carlo Rally, the oldest and most prestigious event of the series. Just like the roulette games played in the Principality’s famous casino, the outcome of the rally can be a lottery. Conditions can vary many times in the same stage, and it is not uncommon for a stage to start off in bright sunshine and end with snow and ice.

For the second consecutive year, the Monte Carlo Rally will start off in the town of Valence, in the Ardeche region of France, with two night stages on Thursday evening. The route takes in 12 more stages in the area on Friday and Saturday, before moving down to Monaco for four classic stages over the Col de Turini and a super special stage using part of Monaco’s famous Grand Prix circuit. The prize-giving ceremony will take place in front of Monaco’s Royal Palace on Sunday at 15:30 (CET).

As usual a wide range of conditions are expected on this year’s event, making Monte Carlo one of the most difficult rallies on the entire calendar. As well as varying weather, crews face a huge variety of road conditions: from bumpy, broken asphalt with reasonable grip to sheet ice like a skating rink. In total, the rally consists of 365.09 competitive kilometres.

Car news – Suzuki SX4 WRC n.11 (Gardemeister) and n.12 (Andersson):

This will actually be Suzuki’s seventh Monte Carlo rally, thanks to a successful Junior World Rally Championship campaign that resulted in two titles, but it is obviously the first time in the Principality with the all-new SX4 WRC.

The SX4 WRC sports a striking new white and yellow livery for 2008, and it has already racked up a number of testing kilometres in the region following a pre-Monte Carlo test at the end of last year with both drivers. Using the valuable experience gained from the two test events in 2007, the SX4 WRC features new differential and suspension settings for Monte Carlo, as well as a raft of other improvements under the skin.

Like all the other cars, the SX4 WRC will run on Pirelli’s all-new control tyres introduced for this year. These tyres are not permitted to have anti-deflation mousse, and only one type of tread pattern and compound is allowed per event, in order to reduce costs. However drivers are permitted to hand-cut the tyres to help disperse water or loose gravel, and for Monte Carlo a short stud can also be used if necessary, to find grip in icy conditions.

The entire Suzuki team is eagerly awaiting the unique challenge of Monte Carlo, and the whole 2008 season.

Driver news:

For the first time, the Suzuki World Rally Team will run two cars, as it will over the rest of the season. The 32 year-old Toni Gardemeister starts his ninth Monte Carlo Rally this year, and it is one of his favourite events. The Finn was on the podium as recently as 2006, and he has finished in the points on five occasions. His co-driver this year is Tomi Tuominen, who knows the SX4 WRC well after partnering Sebastian Lindholm on the Rally GB last year.

Gardemeister said: “It’s fantastic for me to be back in the World Championship with Suzuki, and if things go well for us in Monte Carlo I think we can come away with points. The car is still new, so we’re not going to be on the pace of the frontrunners yet, but the overall set-up and reliability is good.

The SX4 has a very compact wheelbase so it changes direction quickly, which will be very useful on the fast and twisty roads of Monte Carlo. This is always an unpredictable event, but I think that mixed conditions could actually work in our favour. I’m particularly looking forward to the Col de Turini stages on Sunday: these are unique stages and I’ve always had a very good feeling with them.”

For 27 year-old P-G Andersson, co-driven by Jonas Andersson, Monte Carlo will be his first-ever World Championship event in a World Rally Car. The young Swede has completed around 500 kilometres of testing with the SX4, so he still has to climb a steep learning curve. Nonetheless, the Monte Carlo Rally is not entirely new to him as he competed on the event in 2004 and 2005 with an Ignis Super 1600.

“I can’t wait to get started!”, said P-G. “Obviously getting to the finish and gaining more experience will be the priority for me. Going from a Super 1600 car to a World Rally Car is quite a big jump as everything happens so much quicker. It’s also important to get the pace notes right: there are some corners that you wouldn’t even bother noting in a Super 1600 car but in a World Rally Car you really feel them!”

Team news:

For the entire Suzuki team, the Monte Carlo rally opens a new chapter in the manufacturer’s prestigious history. New arrivals at the team this year include Shusuke Inagaki as technical director and Akira Kawada as team manager. Prior to the rally, the team will take part in this year’s official World Rally Championship launch on Sunday 20 January in Monte Carlo before the drivers start the recce.

Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima, principal of the Suzuki World Rally Team, commented: “As we embark on our full first season, our goal is to make steady progress by taking one step at a time. Results are obviously important, but we cannot get ahead of ourselves either. In our debut year, it’s only natural to expect a few minor problems and we’re grateful to have a driver of the calibre of Toni Gardemeister to help us improve.”

More information and pictures are available at www.suzuki-wrc.com.

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Suzuki Concept European Debut

In preparation of the Geneva International Motor Show, Suzuki Motor Corporation is teasing fans with these concepts that show future direction for the budding Japanese auto maker. Leading the charge is the Concept A-Star, which makes its European debut and will be the smallest member of the Suzuki family, if it can get any smaller. Design on the A-Star was a collaboration between Maruti Suzuki India and their Japanese head office colleagues.

The Daihatsu Sirion-looking Splash is next up in line. This car goes on sale this spring as a world-car model for Suzuki, and targets small families with very little luggage to take. It should be reliable and comfortable enough though, just like the Sirion.

Suzuki’s racing pedigree will also get its own shine under the SX4 WRC 2008 model. WRC fans will get their first taste of Suzuki this season as the brand enters the world’s most competitive rally championship. Extensive testing has been ongoing on the racing production model.

The one to get your blood gushing like the Niagra Falls will be the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, both shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It promises to combine all the good things we like about sports cars; power, handling and comfort, in an affordable package. Should it be produced with that front grille and wheels as is, it should prove very popular with rappers from all over the west side. Peace! See ya at Geneva from 4 – 16 March, y’all!

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