Formula 'busa

FORMULA ’BUSA

"WE MADE THIS CAR because we wanted to show people we were capable of producing a high-performance four-wheeled machine,” explained Suzuki’s Toshimi Hashimoto as he strapped me into the Formula Hayabusa, a race-ready openwheeler that combines the fruits of the company’s motorcycle and automobile programs.

A gentle push on the start-engine button brought the 1.3-liter Hayabusa-based powerplant to life with a tremendous roar. Exhaling through a custom exhaust system, the inline-Four’s robust sound was not unlike that of a Ferrari V-Eight, especially when spooled to its 11,000-rpm redline. The watercooled 16-valver pumps out a claimed 175 horsepower at 9800 rpm and generates 102 foot-pounds of torque at 7000 rpm. For a 950pound car, this translates to head-snapping acceleration and a top speed somewhere in the vicinity of 180 mph.

Through the turns at the Streets of Willow Springs, the Formula Hayabusa felt as if it were super-glued to the road surface. Suspension borrowed from the Katana 750 (!) provided excellent stability and balance, though the ride was a bit rough.

The fuel filter, fuel-pressure regulator and clutch were picked from the Gran Vitara sport-utility parts bin, while the brakes, fuel pump and steering column came from Suzuki's Japan-market minicars. And the frame? That’s the work of Suzuki Sport, the automotive racing division founded by “Monster” Tajima, who is well

his exploits at Pikes Peak.

Created for a one-make race series in Japan, the Formula Hayabusa retails for approximately $26,500. Suzuki is thinking of making the racer available here, but would need to create a forum in which it could compete. “It is something we’re looking at very closely,” said Hashimoto. “I would like nothing more than to have our motorcycle enthusiasts experience this car. They could see that we can indeed bring the flavor of our sportbikes into a four-wheeled machine.”

A brief drive of the slick little Formula car made a believer out -Sam Mitani