Its MacPherson-type suspension in the front and rear offers great stability and recovery in the turns, and with a little aftermarket tweaking you should be able to increase the speed through the turns. Asked by Suzuki to come test drive the Aerio, we expected stock configurations with no modifications whatsoever. When we arrived at the test-drive location in Savannah, Ga., we were offered a spin in both stock and modified Aerios, as well as Suzuki's Formula Hayabusa-'ll take about the Hayabusa later. I was very excited to drive an Aerio that eagerly caters to our market. I drove the stock Aerio first around town to see how well it would perform in real-life scenarios and over different types of terrain. After my cruise through the country, I geared up to drive the modified version by participation in a 30-minute driving-school session.
Since the modified vehicle is more my style, was stoked for a sneak peek into how well it would perform in the tuner world. Modifications were slight but enough to make a difference. Alterations consisted of Suzuki Sport shocks, springs and swaybars, as well as lightweight black powdercoated 5 Zigen wheels and high-performance, low-profile tires. Engine modifications included a Suzuki Sport exhaust system, drop-in air filter and advanced ignition timing. According to the Suzuki techs, these mods were enough to generate an additional 10 hp at the wheels.
With just the mild modifications, the Aerio's stability was outstanding-it should be able to out-perform a Civic in the same conditions. From my vantage point this car is ready to be tweaked by U.S. aftermarket manufacturers and tuners.
Now, on to super high performance. Remember I mentioned a Formula Hayabusa? People that know their sport bikes will know the Hayabusa is a 175-hp bike that is capable of running upward of 180 mph. The Suzuki Formula Hayabusa uses the 1300cc Suzuki sport-bike engine turned sideways and mounted in an open-wheel race car. Imagine a miniature Formula One car that weighs a little over 900 lb and is made of Suzuki O.E. parts.
Except for the chassis and fiberglass/aluminum wings and body, all suspension components, shocks engine parts and even the gauge cluster are all off-the-shelf Suzuki O.E. components. The knuckles, brakes, lights and air filter are off of a J-spec Suzuki SUV, and the engine, shocks and gauge cluster are O.E. Suzuki motorcycle components. What does this all equate to? How does a 200-mph, open-wheel, road race car sound? To top it off, your favorite tech editor (me, you idiot) got to take a spin in this Suzuki hybrid. Check out next month's Tunerology for what it was capable of accomplishing.
I've saved the best part for last: By the time you read this the all-wheel drive model will be a few months from hitting the streets.
American Suzuki Motor Corp.
3251 E. Imperial Hwy.
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 996-7040
www.suzukiauto.com