I really like driving our long-term 2009 Suzuki SX4. No, it's not the quickest little hatch around, but its steering, brakes and suspension all have just the right weighting and feedback to keep me entertained. In fact, the Suzuki feels so good, there are several cars in our fleet with much higher price tags that could learn a thing or two from its brake feel, body motion control and precise steering.
Basically it's a car that likes to be driven hard, and it's a car that feels like it was tuned for the driving enthusiast.
Am I surprised by the Suzuki's pleasurable feel and entertaining dynamics? Nope. How could I be when the same company makes this...
This is the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R600, and it is an engineering marvel. You think the SX4 is good value? Check this; the GSX-R600 costs $9,799, yet it packs an all-aluminum 599cc DOHC four-cylinder engine with a 12.8:1 compression ratio, two fuel injectors per cylinder and a 15,000 rpm redline. Also a 6-speed gearbox and an aluminum frame.
In a recent motorcycle magazine test it put down 105 hp at the rear wheel (it weighs just 432 lbs) and blazed through the quarter mile in 10.8 seconds at 128 mph.
Can you say GT-R who?
And this is the small bore version. Suzuki will gladly sell you a GSX-R750 or a GSX-R1000. And if you're really into fast they've got the 1300cc Hayabusa model.
Um, I wonder if that 1300cc motor fits in the SX4 like it does in the Smart.
By the way, that is me knee down in these photos, pulling every last bit of performance from the GSX-R600. And if you believe that, I've got some Iowa ocean front I'll sell you cheap.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
nwarmouth says:
08:01 AM, 05/29/09
Now how do you get that Smart in the Long Term Fleet. And the "stoppie" is truly awe-inspiring.
thehardcard says:
08:15 AM, 05/29/09
That Smart video is crazy. It is easy to see how tragedies at activities like this occur. I like to see WOT maneuvers, but not right next to where I'm standing. I don't trust anyone on this planet that much.
redliner says:
08:45 AM, 05/29/09
If you Suzuki put a 1300cc GSX-R engine into the SX4, i would buy it in a heartbeat. Even if it costs more.
subytrojan says:
10:30 AM, 05/29/09
Scott, they also make this.
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/6900/lrgarticle10677img0ko2.jpg
desmolicious says:
10:37 AM, 05/29/09
Why doesn't Suzuki's car division spend some time talknig to the boys at the motorcycle division?
There they'll find a 1.3 liter naturally aspirated motor that puts down 175hp to the wheels. Sure it's gonna be a little bit low on the torque (about 100lbft), but imagine if they used just a bit of that know how on the 2.4 liter motor in the SX4.
Instead of know how, they're apparently using no how...
Mad_Science says:
10:55 AM, 05/29/09
Suzuki could be the next Subaru if they would just connect all the dots.
Also: the Samurai was framed.
clarkma5 says:
12:25 PM, 05/29/09
I thought you were going to mention the SX4 WRC car that they ran last season...it would be more pertinent, anyway.
subytrojan says:
12:31 PM, 05/29/09
^ See the image I linked above. :o)
Rally FTW!