Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
We're doing something a little different this week. We've tested a 2010 Suzuki SX4 hatchback with Suzuki's new 150-hp 2.0-liter engine; it's the red car in the photo. This isn't a huge increase over the 2009 model's 143 hp, but the new engine makes a huge difference in how this car feels. Although it's hardly an apples-to-apples comparison, for some perspective, this 6-speed-manual, front-wheel-drive 2010 SX4 is over 3 seconds quicker to 60 mph and 2 seconds quicker through the quarter-mile than our 4-speed-automatic-equipped, all-wheel-drive long-term Suzuki SX4 (11.7 seconds, 18.3 seconds at 76.3 mph). Yes, both the 6-speed gearbox and the front-drive configuration for the SX4 hatchback are new for 2010 (SX4 sedans have always been front-drive).
But here's the different part. Although supplied to us by Suzuki, this 2010 SX4 has suspension, brake and tire modifications by Road Race Motorsports (RRM), plus a cold air intake and less restrictive exhaust that are likely good for a slim increase in horsepower. So this is a production car with light modifications that a typical owner could conceivably make. We've included a list with prices.
The blue SX4 in this photo is even more of a curiosity. It's called the Suzuki SX4 "Zuk," and it was originally developed as a show car for the 2008 SEMA show, borrowing aesthetic elements from Suzuki's Hayabusa and GSX-R. It has the turbo kit that RRM developed for the 2007-2009 SX4, so it's quicker than the 2010 hatch, but as you'll see from the handling numbers, the suspension mods aren't fully resolved on this car. It's also 200 pounds heavier than production SX4s, thanks largely to an elaborate rollcage fitted for aesthetic reasons (it's meant to mimic a motorcycle frame) -- yes, gotta love SEMA.
All the numbers are after the jump, along with video of the "Zuk."
Vehicle: 2010 Suzuki SX4 by Road Race Motorsports
Odometer: 7,752
Date: 8/18/07
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: Pricing not released (prices for aftermarket parts listed below)
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual
Engine Type: Inline-4
Displacement (liters): 2.0
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 150 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 140 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc with single-piston sliding caliper (stock; modifications listed below)
Brake Type (rear): Solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper (stock; modifications listed below)
Steering System: Hydraulic-assist power rack-and-pinion
Suspension Type (front): Independent MacPherson strut, coil springs, stabilizer bar (stock; modifications listed below)
Suspension Type (rear): Semi-independent torsion beam, coil springs (stock; modifications listed below)
Tire Size (front): 215/45R17 87W
Tire Size (rear): 215/45R17 87W
Tire Brand: Dunlop
Tire Model: Direzza Z1 Star Spec ($117/tire on Tire Rack)
Tire Type: Summer directional
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 2,829
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.7 (3.9 traction control on)
0 - 45 (sec): 5.1 (6.6 traction control on)
0 - 60 (sec): 8.4 (10.0 traction control on)
0 - 75 (sec): 12.7 (14.4 traction control on)
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 16.2 @ 83.6 (17.4 @ 82.5 traction control on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 8.1 (9.7 traction control on)
30 - 0 (ft): 27
60 - 0 (ft): 108
Braking Rating: Excellent
Slalom (mph): 70.2 (66.7 stability control on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.90 (0.88 stability control on)
Handling Rating: Excellent
Db @ Idle: 43.1
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.2
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 67.3
Acceleration Comments: Typical Fwd launch technique wherein optimizing wheelspin while ensuring tach doesn't go backwards. The car sounds and feels faster than it actually is. Longish shift throws, and the engine made a racket if shifted/clutched too quickly.
Braking Comments: Excellent brake feel and power. Essentially zero fade and straight stops. Some wind-up, but not much. Good tires are obviously helping here.
Handling Comments: Skidpad: Wow. Incredible grip that didn't wane as laps piled on. Steering could be better at transmitting information, but it's reasonably precise. Slalom: I almost didn't have enough room to get up to speed, but what a well balanced and fun car to drive. Using the throttle in and out worked well to rotate the car that never threatened to understeer. Planted and predictable with little roll or bump steer.
Aftermarket Modifications:
Engine
RRM short ram intake: $169
RRM cat-back exhaust: $499
Suspension
RRM SX4 Performance Suspension Package: $499
-RRM G.R.I.P. spring kit: lowers the SX4 1.1 in. in front and 0.9 in. in back
-RRM 25.5mm front sway bar
-RRM 22mm rear sway bar
Tein Damper Kit: $1,099
RRM Camber Kit: $79
Brakes
RRM SX4 Performance Brake Package (ventilated rotors, upgraded pads): $500
RRM braided steel brake lines: $179
Vehicle: 2009 Suzuki SX4 "Zuk" SEMA show car
Odometer:
Date: 8/18/09
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: Not for sale (prices of aftermarket parts listed below)
Specifications:
Drive Type: All-wheel-drive
Transmission Type: 5-speed manual
Engine Type: Inline-4 (w/ RRM turbo kit)
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 1995cc (122cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,250
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 143 @ 5,800 (stock), 230 @ 5,800 (claimed at the wheels with modifications)
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 136 @ 3500 (stock), 220 @ 4,800 rpm (claimed at the front wheels with modifications)
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc with single-piston sliding caliper
Brake Type (rear): Solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper
Steering System: Hydraulic-assist power rack-and-pinion
Suspension Type (front): Independent MacPherson strut, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Semi-independent torsion beam, coil springs
Tire Size (front): 235/40R17
Tire Size (rear): 235/40R17
Tire Brand: Toyo
Tire Model: Proxes RA1
Tire Type: Summer asymmetrical + directional
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,048
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.0 (2.9 in 2WD mode)
0 - 45 (sec): 4.2 (4.6 in 2WD mode)
0 - 60 (sec): 6.9 (7.2 in 2WD mode)
0 - 75 (sec): 9.7 (10.1 in 2WD mode)
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.9 @ 90.9 (15.2 @ 91.2 in 2WD mode)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.6 (6.9 in 2WD mode)
30 - 0 (ft): 27
60 - 0 (ft): 108
Braking Rating: Excellent
Slalom (mph): 65.9
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.96
Handling Rating: Average
Db @ Idle: 56.9
Db @ Full Throttle: 91.9
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 86.7
Acceleration Comments: Tricky to launch in front-wheel drive (2WD mode); easy-peasy in AWD -- rev it to redline and dump the clutch. First gear is very short and that pretty much where all the sound and fury end. There's some sort of clutch and/or torque limiter between each upshift. Reasonably linear power delivery despite an obvious auditory change when turbo spools up. It sounds much "badder" than it is.
Braking Comments: Steep jump-in but progressive thereafter. Excellent fade resistance. Some squeal.
Handling Comments: Skidpad: I'm told the inside front tire was about 6 inches off the ground, and I could feel the car pogoing. Too soft up front, too firm in rear? Decent grip despite the sloppy style. Slalom: A total mess in the slalom. Too little roll stiffness allowed the car to hit bump stops, and it took forever to transition back the other way. I was late at every cone if I entered too hot. Best run was slow in, fast out.
Aftermarket Modifications:
Engine
RRM Turbo kit ($4,499): includes 16G Evo 3 turbocharger, front-mounted intercooler and piggyback ECU
Suspension
SX4 Performance Suspension Package ($499)
-RRM G.R.I.P. spring kit: lowers the SX4 1.1 in. in front and 0.9 in. in back
-RRM 25.5mm front sway bar
-RRM 22mm rear sway bar
Tein Damper Kit ($1,099)
RRM Camber Kit ($79): camber bolts for SX4 front struts
Brakes
Front: Rotora 4-Piston Big Brake Street Kit: $1,799
330mm (13.0-inch) ventilated and cross-drilled rotors with 4-piston fixed calipers, upgraded pads
Rear: RRM ventilated rear rotors ($179), plus upgraded RRM brake pads ($79)
RRM braided steel brake lines ($179)
Body
Carbontrix carbon fiber vented hood: $799
Carbontrix fiberglass front bumper: $299
Carbontrix fiberglass rear bumper: $299
Carbontrix fiberglass side skirts: $299
Carbontrix carbon fiber Ralli-Spec wing: $289
Cabin
Racetech FIA-approved seats
Rear seat removed
Custom, RRM-fabricated rollcage
redliner says:
09:48 PM, 09/29/09
Lots of bobbing about from the "Zuk" and inside rear wheel comes of the ground around 1:00 on the skid pad and at 1:23 on the slalom.
I like the idea of the engine from the Zuk with the suspension mods of the red RRM car.
darknick says:
10:34 PM, 09/29/09
I think the braking times for the "Zuk" got reversed. 60-0 should be more than 30-0.
94_gsr_cpe says:
05:55 AM, 09/30/09
09 Ralliart: 5.8 to 60, 14.2 to 1/4 mi
09 WRX: 5.0 to 60, 13.7 to 1/4 mi
Still not there yet Suzuki but keep it up.
zoomzoomn says:
06:58 AM, 09/30/09
I think Suzuki needs to produce a hot model like this. They need all the help they can get in establishing a positive image.
altimadude00 says:
07:47 AM, 09/30/09
That red one ain't too bad.
sabastian says:
08:08 AM, 09/30/09
Pass.
clarkma5 says:
12:50 PM, 09/30/09
Those handling and braking numbers for the first car are really impressive! I've respected the SX4 since it came out, the fact that they're now offering the hatch in Sport trim with FWD is great.
thegrocer says:
01:28 PM, 09/30/09
At launch the SX4 Crossover only came with AWD...in late 2008, Suzuki started selling FWD SX4 Crossovers in the US. So I suppose the combination of 6-speed manual and FWD is new but there have been FWD SX4 hatches for a year now...
punksmurph says:
11:42 PM, 09/30/09
I have a turbo charged 2007 SX4 with the GRIP suspension and it has been working great. If Suzuki would sell the car like this at 250 HP then they would have a heck of a Rallyart/WRX competitor.