Suzuki is a car company which has always been better known for their
motorcycles than for their 4-wheeled vehicles. With the exception of the
Suzuki Samurai, a
mini-sport utility which has a cult following amongst off-road trail riders, and the Swift, a favorite gas-sipper for the economy crowd,
Suzuki cars have never really enjoyed great success in the North American market. On the other hand, their
motorcycles, particularly the Hayabusa, one of the fastest bikes in the world, have generated a great deal of respect for the manufacturer.
It was probably the acceptance of this situation that caused the company to consider what would happen if they combined style and design elements of the two divisions to create a sort of hybrid vehicle. The result of these efforts is the 2007
Suzuki SXForce Concept. Unveiled at the SEMA show in 2007, the SXForce is a re-thinking of the
Suzuki SX4 sedan. The sedan has been upgraded both under the hood as well as inside and out to give it a more sporty feel and dramatically increase the power available.
Starting with the new appearance of the SXForce, the most noticeable changes are the much more aggressive front aero package, which boasts an array of air ducts and gill slits to keep the brakes and engine cooled.
Suzuki also uses carbon fiber accents and claims that the side exit dual exhaust and high side mirrors are reminiscent of their sport bikes, although this is not readily apparently to anyone not greatly familiar with the
motorcycles in question. A rear wing is fitted to the trunk lid, and while certainly not related to
motorcycles in any way, it does help separate the SXForce from its tamer street cousins. 18 inch Enkei wheels are complemented by the lowered suspension provided by Tein coilovers. 6-piston calipers in the front clamp down on two-piece rotors in order to help the SXForce stop as fast as its two-wheeled brethren.
Under the hood, gone is the SX4’s standard 4 cylinder engine, and in its place is a fire-breathing 2.0 liter turbocharged 4. This engine makes 250 horsepower, and is connected to a 5-speed manual transmission. The entire SXForce is designed and built by a company called Road Race Motorsports, who were contracted by
Suzuki to help them complete the concept.
The most radical indication of the crossover sport bike styling is to be found in the interior of the 2007
Suzuki SXForce Concept. A wideband data logger is available to keep track of engine and driving dynamics while on the race course, and the interior is accented with suede leather similar to that which would be found in the world of
motorcycles. However, it is hard to notice these details when faced with the fact that the steering wheel has been replaced by a motorcycle’s handlebars. How exactly a person is supposed to turn the front two wheels adequately using this type of steering system is left up to the driver’s imagination, but one can only hope that the handlebars are not directly connected to the front axle. The right side of the handlebars also seems quite likely to get in the way of shifting. Gauges are attached to a motorcycle pod at the center of the handlebars.
The 2007
Suzuki SXForce Concept is certainly a great way to attract attention to the SX4 and Suzuki’s lineup of cars in general, but an even better way to generate interest in the company would be to introduce the 250 horsepower 4 cylinder power plant to the North American market. Everyone likes a high-powered pocket rocket, and with the SXForce, mechanically at least
Suzuki is halfway there.
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June 4, 2008, 7:04 am
