2001 Suzuki Review

Specifications

Sports Car Fundamentalism Taken to New Lows

OK, Suzuki is now officially the ultimate tease automaker. The GSX-R/4 Concept Car is yet another sensational drivers car that will never see the light of day.

What makes it so special? Its ultra-light curb weight, racing car suspension system, high-tech motorcycle engine and windshield-less speedster profile make it one of the most powerful go-karts ever made.

Looking like something out of a sci-fi movie, Suzukis new concept is sensationally styled. Its exoskeleton aluminum frame, detachable recycled-plastic panels and naked mechanicals make for a technological showcase, exactly what the Japanese brand was looking for. The GSX-R/4 pulls design cues and its name from the brands series of GSX-R race replica motorcycles, the 4 designation making reference to four wheels instead of two.

Those four 20-inch alloy wheels riding on 185/45R20 front and 195/45R20 rear performance tires, combined with its low center of gravity, light aluminum frame construction and tuner-friendly, height adjustable double wishbone suspension sporting exposed spring and damper units, should help it manage corners at even greater speeds than its two-wheeled sibling.

At 1,411 pounds its four disc brakes will hardly be taxed unless coming down from hyper velocities, which of course will be easily attained due to the roadsters motorcycle derived 1.3-L 4-cylinder engine. The bike the motor comes from, however, isnt just any scooter. The GSX1300R Hayabusa is the fastest mass-produced street bike in history, capable of 194 mph top speed and about 9 seconds for the quarter mile. Its engine makes a total of 173-hp at 9,800 rpm. In case you think such revs are high, and granted they are for a car, the engine is capable of 11,000 rpm before spiking redline.

Mounted mid-ships, the 16-valve, dual-overhead cam power unit sports liquid cooling and an 11:1 compression ratio. It drives the rear wheels via a motorcycle style 6-speed sequential transmission, actuated by the hand instead of the foot, providing lightning quick shifts.

Just above the shifter is an abbreviated center stack looking as if chiseled out of billet aluminum. Everything needed is close at hand including a Seiko supplied Wrist Mount System, that orchestrates door lock release, driver identification, wireless communication and a hands-free mobile phone.

With Formula 1 levels of high-tech equipment, the GSX-R/4 boasts a futuristic view on safety. Its Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) technologies matches engine settings to the cars handling characteristics, analyzes and then makes adjustments for the personal behavior of the driver.

A massive 10.4-inch flat-screen monitor displays pre-set programs designed to instruct drivers on managing operating conditions real time. After attempting to set the fastest lap, for instance, the driver can review the data on the monitor or save it to a PC to review later.

While the techno-goodies are enticing, Suzukis GSX-R/4 was created strictly for driving, and driving fast. No doubt if the Japanese automaker chose to build it in limited production, the tiny roadster would get snatched up long before any arrived at Suzuki dealerships. But, of course, there will be no production version arriving anytime soon, or for that matter ever. Thats a shame, as the GSX-R/4 would no doubt create a die-hard cult following to rival zealots of the Lotus 7, adding trickle-down benefits to the entire brand.

For now car enthusiasts will have to remain satisfied with the odd glimpse on Speed Channel or an even rarer visit to local car shows. The GSX-R/4, as radical as it seems, is a puritans sports car. Light, powerful, masterfully engineered and stunningly styled, Suzukis new concept is sports car fundamentalism taken to new lows - 39.8 inches tall and 3.9 inches of ground clearance. Now these are lows I can live with.