G S X - R / 4

G S X - R / 4

Like the name implies, a sportbike with four wheels

IT'S ABOUT AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN get to riding a motorcycle.” When describing the attributes of a sports car, no other words are more praiseworthy. During my years of driving sporty four-wheel machines for Road & Track, I’ve come to realize that the more a sports car can convey the feeling of riding a motorcycle, the better it’s received. After all, aren’t the primary objectives of sports cars the same as those of motorbikes: to put the driver into the environment-not shielding him from it-and provide him with as much fun and excitement as possible?

But let’s face it, although many cars-such as the Mazda Miata, Toyota MR2 Spyder, Honda S2000 and Lotus Elise-have been referred to as “motorcycles on four wheels,” none can match the adrenaline-pumping sensation of a high-strung sportbike such as a Suzuki GSX-R.

Well, at least not yet. At this past Frankfurt Motor Show, Suzuki unveiled a concept two-seat roadster that may be able to satisfy even the staunchest two-wheel aficionados. It's called the GSX-R/4.

One look and it’s obvious that this car is far different than others in Suzuki's lineup. It sits wide and low to the ground and is splashed in a two-tone paint scheme. Visual details abound, but what immediately catches the eye are the car’s muscular fenders, giant 20-inch alloy wheels and suspension springs visible on the hood and rear deck. The GSX-R/4’s face is distinctive and aggressive, with slim headlights hidden in the seams that separate the bumper and rocker panels. The profile is dominated by large wheel wells, while a pair of aluminum exhaust tips highlights the rear. The car is extremely compact, measuring a mere 140 inches from front to rear, about a dress size smaller than an MR2 Spyder.

Mounted behind the open cockpit is the 1.3-liter inline-Four from the GSX1300R Hayabusa, retuned to deliver 175 horsepower at 9800 rpm and 102 foot-pounds of torque at 7000 rpm. It comes mated to a sequential six-speed transmission that you operate by a lever on the center console. The roadster weighs in at an ultra-lean 1408 pounds, thanks partly to use of a lightweight aluminum space frame not unlike those you find on Suzuki's racing motorcycles. Suzuki claims the GSX-R/4 will go from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds; top speed is 140 mph.

Suzuki’s chassis engineers, from both the bike and car camps, joined forces to ensure that the GSX-R/4 handled as “bike-like” as possible. A pushrod double-wishbone suspension, with coil-over shocks mounted on the decks for easy adjustment, has been specially tuned to_ give the GSXR/4 a quick, darting nature that responds to the slightest steering inputs.

The GSX-R/4 also utilizes the company’s Advanced Safety Vehicle technology (ASV) that, among other things, analyzes driver technique then modifies engine settings to match his or her driving style. With ASV, you can also view a preset program that illustrates how to handle a certain race circuit via a 10-inch monitor on the center console. And after each lap, you can review your performance, just like a video game. On real-world roads, ASV doubles as a navigation system.

So will the GSX-R/4 ever see production? Suzuki officials won’t commit, but say there may be a chance. I, for one, hope they do proceed with the GSX-R/4 program and build a car that can be sold stateside. I’ve owned two Suzuki motorcycles in the past (sacrificed when I got married a few years back), and I'm still looking for something with four wheels to take their place in my garage.. .not to mention my soul.

Sam Mitani