Road Race Suzuki SX4 Sportback Improves the Breed

By Anne Proffit

Anne Proffit

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1,132 views Sep 17, 2010

Road Race Suzuki SX4 Sportback

Suzuki’s SX4 Sportback has been a winner in this journalist’s tabulation of cars worth examining – no matter the size or shape.  When the brand decided to make one of them into a hot rod and offer it for a week, I jumped at the opportunity.

Considered a crossover by some – due to the original model’s all-wheel-drive capabilities--for 2010 Suzuki brought the SX4 Sportback front-wheel-drive model to market in order to appease those who wanted a bit more sporting tendencies in their daily transportation and weren’t inclined to go for all-wheel-drive.  It was a smart move on their part and one that’s easy on the eyes and quite fun to drive in stock condition.

With its 2010 upgrades to a larger 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission, Suzuki went into a class of its own in the small hatchback marketplace.  Not only did power improve but mileage did as well, with figures on the stock version of 22/30 mpg.  The SX4 Sportback I drove earlier this year was a sweet little vehicle (see the article from July on www.hatchbackconnection.com)

When equipped with extras from Road Race Motorsports, the SX4 Sportback becomes a competitor in cut-and-thrust traffic and a sweet ride in the twisty environs outside San Diego.  According to Rob Tallini, CEO of Road Race Motorsports in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the objective was to get better throttle response from the SX4 and increase mileage as well, along the way.

To achieve these guidelines, Tallini used a pre-production SX4 Sportback in Vivid Red with black cloth interior (the only way it’s offered) and went from there.  The interior isn’t modified at all – these mods are strictly for performance – but it certainly is a nice place to be whether one is driving or riding. 

Using his proprietary GRIP springs that are a bit stiffer than stock on the already lowered SX4 chassis, Tallini explained the springs are designed to work with the stock shock absorbers “without having any issues.”  Yeah, the ride is a bit on the firm side, but in nearly 450 miles within a single week, I did not find it bladder busting at all. 

The spring changes, combined with the use of Dunlop’s Direzza Sport Z1 Star 215/45 gumballs riding on 10-spoke 17-inch alloy rims, allow the Road Race SX4 to slalom like a true racecar and to add both grip and grin to the experience.  A rear sway bar helps too.

Suzuki fits 17-inch rubber on the stock SX4 Sportback but not with the width and construction of this rubber, which is mighty fine!

Engine modifications to the SX4 Sportback FWD include Road Race Motorsports cold air intake and a less restrictive exhaust system that sits very, very low to the ground and could cause problems on driveways, as it did for me exiting a parking structure.  A large exhaust pipe at the rear adds a lovely song that clearly overpowers the audio system installed in the car as stock. 

Tallini, who has more than 20 years experience in racing, tested the SX4 at remote Willow Springs Raceway and at the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department test and training course in Pomona.  What he found was an increase of 17 percent horsepower to the wheels from the stock 150.  By remapping the specifically designed (for this car) Piggyback ECU and by including a lightweight pulley system, Tallini was able to get the throttle response exactly where he needed it.

Aside from the inclusion of muted silver racing stripes on the sides and front-to-rear (together with a pod to hold a number on the hood) – and very nice stock side sills and rear wing to aid aerodynamics, this little hatch doesn’t scream fast – even though it is.  The stock shift linkage handles the extra power handily, as does the clutch.  Brakes haven’t been changed but Suzuki did place aluminum rubber-tipped pedals to help the stop (and go) power.