Click above for a high-res gallery of the Suzuki SX4 WRC Edition.
While we haven't driven the boosted Suzuki SX4t, we hear it's a scream. So when we caught wind of a special edition SX4 inspired by the automaker's participation in the World Rally Championship, our happy balloon was on its way to reaching capacity. It deflated quickly. No, the SX4 WRC isn't turbocharged, doesn't have any trick all-wheel-drive programming and is little more than a wannabe racer of the lamest variety. Think the OZ-edition Mitsubishi Lancer, but with half the cred and none of the good stuff.
Instead, Suzuki Germany is attempting to cash in on the SX4's minimal rallying cred with the stock, 107-hp 1.6-liter four-pot, "rally design" 16-inch wheels wrapped in 205/60 R16 rubber, a body kit that includes a new front bumper and rear bumper and side skirts, and with a mesh grille and "carbon-look" detailing. Inside, Suzuki's German arm is all about budget bling with a leather shift knob, faux carbon fiber trim, navigation and privacy glass, plus keyless entry and starting. Thankfully, you won't be able to pick up the Suzuki SX4 WRC in the States, and for 19,500 euro, we somehow doubt the rally-ravens in Deutschland will be running to dealers with loans in tow.
[Source: Suzuki via World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Caroftheday.org @ Jun 5th 2008 7:09PM
This is news is (as the author puts it) some serious "happy ballon delfation".
Suzuki could use a production WRC style car ala the WRX/STI/EVOs of the world to give some serious performance cred to their car line.
Plus I have a weakness for turbo-charged AWD cars, they regularly show up as my car of the day.
http://www.caroftheday.org/2008/05/25/the-evo-x-is-the-cotd/
walt @ Jun 5th 2008 7:21PM
Oh wow. Please bring this car stateside. small turbo 4x4's are awesome. one of my most favorite cars ever was a Mazda 323GTX, and boy was that fun. I want this car.
Michael @ Jun 5th 2008 7:31PM
lolwut
walt @ Jun 5th 2008 8:00PM
whoops ...
"our happy balloon was on its way to reaching capacity. It deflated quickly. No, the SX4 WRC isn't turbocharged, doesn't have any trick all-wheel-drive programming"
guess I should read first before commenting... on to the Road/Race model instead. posers!
Eng.CuoreSportivo @ Jun 5th 2008 8:29PM
a miniSUV-WRC???!!? So, someone calls FIAT and say: "take a 16 (sedici, the Suzuki's sister), change it to a LANCIA model and produce a WRC version!" And we have the return of LANCIA INTEGRALE.... DOH!
Beastage @ Jun 6th 2008 7:19AM
Well to be honest if FIAT will call something the Delta Integrale , it will be sharp, fast and a killer awd machine.
Eng.CuoreSportivo @ Jun 6th 2008 1:09PM
Correct. A KILLER car. My comment was a provocation...
nagmashot @ Jun 5th 2008 8:30PM
thanksfully it is limited to 500 models..
Dave @ Jun 5th 2008 9:03PM
I like the looks of it. They deleted the roof rack and filled the wheel openings.
broosewee @ Jun 5th 2008 9:45PM
SX4 'Wannabe Race Car' Edition.
Vintage @ Jun 6th 2008 9:56AM
Yeah really. How lame. I hate special editions that aren't special.
seriouslywtf @ Jun 5th 2008 10:08PM
Ralliart Lancer?
I think you mean the OZ-Rally captain douche...
The OZ Rally was just a regular lancer with "giant" 15 inch wheels and a couple of decals.
The Ralliart Lancer recieved a beefed up suspension, 40% more displacement, MIVEC variable valve timing with lift control, and Bridgestone Potenza RE92 sticky rubbers "initially". In stock form, they ran 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and did 14.9 in the quarter. Mind you 0-60 required a shift from 2nd to 3rd.
This car readily fed on Spec-V's, Civic Si EP3s, Focus SVTs, and the likes.
Quite a bit different than Suzuki with some stickers, a body kit, and remote start.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0401_compact_sedan_comparison/mitsubishi_lancer_ralliart.html
Good job Autoblog! Soon you'll be down to Jalopnik standards!
Damon Lavrinc @ Jun 6th 2008 12:38AM
Point taken. It's been corrected. Thanks.
Edmund Dantes @ Jun 6th 2008 7:44AM
Moving aside from the car, it's a shame that we never get the WRC races on TV over here.
inteller @ Jun 6th 2008 8:58AM
no kidding. All of these beautiful back roads, and we have to settle for RallyUSA or whatever that crap rally is that we get.
DomManganelli @ Jun 6th 2008 10:24AM
would it not be a good idea for suzuki to relate their car brand to their relatively successful motorcycle brand?
calebe @ Jun 6th 2008 3:27PM
While I like the looks of the SX4 ,this looks like a typical Suzuki sticker job. All the details are parts bin add on items. The front and rear facia are standard European fair with the skirt kit from the JMD Sport model. The Wheels are also JMD units that have been painted white. At least the German hand went beyond what the US branch has done. We get horrible SWT stickers that look like they are right off the shelf at the local walmart.
Kotse @ Jun 19th 2008 6:42PM
Suzuki (though designed for EURO crash safety standards) should bring over the Swift on short notice, now that gas hovers nearly $5 in some places...esp here in CA.
Ford as of this writing is scrambling to ship over previously EURO only models..and would work on certifying their respective crash safety requirements, previously EURO only and soon to be up to US standards.
If Ford can do this, why not the Suzuki on the Swift ...