The Suzuki SX4t concept car is a canvas of what can be done for about $10,000 in custom paint and bolt-on motor sport upgrades.
Testing this all-wheel-drive, “hot” hatch on a racetrack road course made me grin as the car got down and sneaky through chicanes and sweeping corners. It was unexpected that such a tall, five-passenger car could intimidate much faster cars on the course.
» Engine: 2.0 liter DOHC four-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled 16G GT3 Turbo and Tial 38mm Wastegate
» Power: 221 horsepower at 5,100 rpm; 208 foot-pounds of torque at 3,800 rpm; premium fuel required
» Road Race Motorsports GRIP springs
» Road Race performance brake pads
» Road Race sway bars front and rear
» Billet aluminum oil filler cap and battery tie-down by SWT, Suzuki’s in-house parts group
Exterior modifications:
» CarbonTrix carbon fiber vented hood
» Rota five-spoke Torque wheels
» Yokohama Advan Neova tires 225/45/R17 91W
» Removal of factory cladding
» Removal of factory roof rack and mounting studs
Between its all-wheel-drive, turbocharging and suspension modifications, this five-door Suzuki is sure-footed in turns and quick getting up to speed on the straights.
Then I drove it for a week around town and it was just as much fun squirting through trouble spots in traffic. The car is light enough that the bristly whine of turbo power is felt almost immediately.
This concept’s performance potential may be difficult to imagine when looking over the production-model SX4. It is functional family car and an ideal first ride for a young person.
Sold in sedan and Crossover hatchback body styles, both models of SX4 use a 143-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, all-wheel-drive, remote locking, air conditioning and a navigation system as standard equipment.
Prices start at about $14,000 for the sedan with five-speed manual and $16,634 for the all-wheel-drive Crossover, from which the concept car is built.
Because the SX4 is structurally sturdy to handle the added pull of all-wheel drive, it’s a good platform for more power.
American Suzuki has partnered with Road Race Motorsports for this concept and others. Based in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the shop is less than 10 miles from American Suzuki headquarters in Brea.
The performance foundation of the SX4t concept is a turbo kit, GRIP sport springs, stabilizer bars, performance brake pads and 17-inch wheels and tires.
The 16G GT3 Turbo and Tial 38mm wastegate create a modest seven pounds of boost — pushing horsepower to 221 and 208 foot pounds of torque.
“Seven pounds won’t hurt anything,” Road Race shop manager Brian Sloma said. “It can run 10 pounds safely.” The shop prefers a smaller turbo so it spools up exhaust gases faster. “It’s punchy,” said Sloma, 21.
Transforming the stance of this dutiful grocery-getter to customized concept began by stripping off the roof rack, swapping the steel hood for a CarbonTrix carbon fiber engine cover and painting window roof pillars in a dark metallic gray finish. The exterior paint is Suzuki’s Quicksilver metallic.
The car on view is a 2008, but the mods will apply as neatly to the 2009 or the 2007 models.
– The San Diego Union-Tribune/Creators Syndicate Inc. contributed to this story.
