I'm sure this has been posted in the past but still a good read and some cool pictures. Enjoy!
Suzuki has put their Hayabusa superbike engine in two cars, the Formula Hayabusa racing car and GSX-R-4 concept car. The cars are not only examples of automotive and motorcycle engineering, but also their ability to build affordable high-performance products. Also featured are Suzuki's use of sourced components and advanced safety technologies.
Brea, CA - Introduced in 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa broke superbike performance records and established itself as the quickest mass-produced street machine in history. The motorcycle was named after an indigenous Japanese falcon, capable of speeds up to 186 mph in a dive. Top magazines radar-gunned the Hayabusa at 194 mph, and clocked it in the nine-second range through the quarter-mile.
So...?
Suzuki, perhaps best known in the US for motorcycles, took that superbike powerplant and transplanted it into two automobiles, the Formula Hayabusa and GSX-R-4 Concept car.
The new Formula Hayabusa is an example of Suzuki's automotive and motorcycle engineering, and the firm's ability to build affordable high-performance products. This sleek, winged, open-wheel racing car, designed for a new Japanese one-make competition series, has four tires and a steering wheel, but its rear-engined heart is that of the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa street motorcycle.
The state-of-the-art Hayabusa power plant boasts a 1300cc displacement that spins up to 11,000 rpm. The racing machine has 175 horsepower at 9,800 rpm, generated with the help of double overhead cams, 16 valves, an 11:1 compression ratio, liquid-cooling and electronic fuel injection. That power, having to propel just 948 pounds of racing car, is channeled through a smooth shifting six-speed sequential transmission.
The four-wheel Formula Hayabusa mounts that monster engine in a steel space frame crafted by Suzuki Sport. Founded by one of Japan's racing drivers, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, Suzuki Sport is best known for its Pikes Peak-winning hill climb cars.
Like the motorcycle, the Formula Hayabusa was built with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. Hidden, in-board suspension reduces drag, as does the wind-tunnel-designed body. The front and rear wings adjust to suit track conditions.
Besides the motorcycle-sourced engine, many other Formula Hayabusa components come from the two-wheeler. The electronic engine management system, exhaust manifold, muffler, radiator, rear-view mirrors and instrument panel all come from the bike. The shock absorbers and springs were lifted from another Suzuki motorcycle, the Katana GSX750F.
Suzuki's auto division also supplies parts for the Formula Hayabusa. The fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator and clutch master cylinder are from the Grand Vitara sport-utility vehicle. The air-cleaner element comes from the Esteem sedan.Suzuki mini vehicles sold in Japan supply the brake assemblies, knuckles, hubs, steering rod end, battery and fuel pumps.
Utilizing these sourced components helps ensure reliability and quality. And it provides the Formula Hayabusa with perhaps its most significant advantage: cost. Mass-produced pieces for regular cars and bikes are far less expensive than special, limited-production racing parts.
Formula Hayabusa Specifications Transmission: 6 speed sequential Dimensions Overall length 159.4 inches Overall width: 66.1 inches Overall height: 43.3 inches Wheelbase: 91.3 inches Tread (F/R): 59.1 / 56.3 inches Ground clearance: 2.0 inches Curb weight: 948 lbs. / 430 kg. Chassis Brake (F): Ventilated disk Brake ®: Disk Front suspension: Double wishbone Rear suspension: Double wishbone Tire size (F): 185/50 VR 13 Tire size ®: 240/45 VR 13 Engine Engine type: W701 (1299cc) Valve arrangement: DOHC-16 valve TSCC Bore x Stroke: 3.19 inches x 2.48 inches Compression ratio: 11.0 : 1 Max. Power: 175 HP / 9800 rpm Max. Torque: 102 lb. ft. / 7000 rpm Capacity Occupant: 1 Fuel tank capacity: 6.6 gallons
Next up in this motorcycle/car hybridization is an ultra-light sports car. The GSX-R/4 is a Suzuki concept car offers nimble and direct drivability utilizing Suzuki's motorcycle expertise in producing high-performance small engines, and Suzuki's weight-saving technologies developed as a manufacturer of compact automotive vehicles.
The 1.3-liter engine of the GSX1300R Hayabusa motorcycle - mounted in the mid-rear of the sports car - revs quickly up to 11,000 rpm. On tap is 173 horsepower at 9,800 rpm, also generated with the help of double overhead cams, 16 valves, an 11:1 compression ratio, liquid cooling and electronic fuel injection. The power from the GSX-R/4 engine is directed through a smooth, hand-shifted six-speed sequential transmission, and the transfer unit, linked to the output shaft of the transmission, lets the driver shift into reverse.
With an estimated maximum speed of 140 mph, the GSX-R/4 sports car includes distinctive exterior design with an aluminum frame, exposed spring and damper units, easy-to-tune and height-adjustable suspension and detachable, lightweight, recycled-plastic body panels for easy customizing. For the interior, designers chose light and supportive bucket seats for agility and comfort, as well as storage space behind the seats for helmets. As an added perk, the vehicle has a Wrist Mount System - sponsored by Seiko Instruments Inc. - that serves as a door-lock release, driver identification, wireless communication tool and hands-free mobile phone.
Along with other high-performance equipment, the GSX-R/4 has Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) technologies to enhance driver safety. Suzuki utilizes ASV technologies to match engine settings to the handling characteristics and behavior of each individual, analyzing data compiled from actual driving. Via a large, 10.4-inch monitor, individuals can view a pre-set program describing how to handle current operating conditions. Afterwards, the driver can review the data on the monitor and save it to a personal computer to further examine the information.
GSX-R/4 Specifications Transmission: 6 speed sequential Dimensions Overall length: 139.8 inches Overall width: 68.1 inches Overall height: 39.8 inches Wheelbase: 96.5 inches Tread (F/R): 60.6 / 61.0 inches Ground clearance: 3.9 inches Curb weight: 1,411 lbs. Chassis Brake (F): Ventilated disk Brake ®: Disk Front suspension: Double wishbone Rear suspension: Double wishbone Tire size (F): 185/45R20 Tire size ®: 195/45R20 Rim (F): 6.5JJ Rim ®: 6.5JJ Engine Piston displacement: 1299cc Valve arrangement: DOHC-16 valve TSCC Bore x Stroke: 3.19 inches x 2.48 inches Compression ratio: 11.0 : 1 Max. Power: 173 HP / 9800 rpm Max. Torque: 102 lb. ft. / 7000 rpm Acceleration figure: (0-60 mph) 6.3 seconds Maximum speed: 140 mph Capacity Occupant: 1 Fuel tank capacity: 6.6 gallons
Suzuki has put their Hayabusa superbike engine in two cars, the Formula Hayabusa racing car and GSX-R-4 concept car. The cars are not only examples of automotive and motorcycle engineering, but also their ability to build affordable high-performance products. Also featured are Suzuki's use of sourced components and advanced safety technologies.
Brea, CA - Introduced in 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa broke superbike performance records and established itself as the quickest mass-produced street machine in history. The motorcycle was named after an indigenous Japanese falcon, capable of speeds up to 186 mph in a dive. Top magazines radar-gunned the Hayabusa at 194 mph, and clocked it in the nine-second range through the quarter-mile.
So...?
Suzuki, perhaps best known in the US for motorcycles, took that superbike powerplant and transplanted it into two automobiles, the Formula Hayabusa and GSX-R-4 Concept car.
The new Formula Hayabusa is an example of Suzuki's automotive and motorcycle engineering, and the firm's ability to build affordable high-performance products. This sleek, winged, open-wheel racing car, designed for a new Japanese one-make competition series, has four tires and a steering wheel, but its rear-engined heart is that of the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa street motorcycle.
The state-of-the-art Hayabusa power plant boasts a 1300cc displacement that spins up to 11,000 rpm. The racing machine has 175 horsepower at 9,800 rpm, generated with the help of double overhead cams, 16 valves, an 11:1 compression ratio, liquid-cooling and electronic fuel injection. That power, having to propel just 948 pounds of racing car, is channeled through a smooth shifting six-speed sequential transmission.
The four-wheel Formula Hayabusa mounts that monster engine in a steel space frame crafted by Suzuki Sport. Founded by one of Japan's racing drivers, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, Suzuki Sport is best known for its Pikes Peak-winning hill climb cars.
Like the motorcycle, the Formula Hayabusa was built with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. Hidden, in-board suspension reduces drag, as does the wind-tunnel-designed body. The front and rear wings adjust to suit track conditions.
Besides the motorcycle-sourced engine, many other Formula Hayabusa components come from the two-wheeler. The electronic engine management system, exhaust manifold, muffler, radiator, rear-view mirrors and instrument panel all come from the bike. The shock absorbers and springs were lifted from another Suzuki motorcycle, the Katana GSX750F.
Suzuki's auto division also supplies parts for the Formula Hayabusa. The fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator and clutch master cylinder are from the Grand Vitara sport-utility vehicle. The air-cleaner element comes from the Esteem sedan.Suzuki mini vehicles sold in Japan supply the brake assemblies, knuckles, hubs, steering rod end, battery and fuel pumps.
Utilizing these sourced components helps ensure reliability and quality. And it provides the Formula Hayabusa with perhaps its most significant advantage: cost. Mass-produced pieces for regular cars and bikes are far less expensive than special, limited-production racing parts.
Formula Hayabusa Specifications Transmission: 6 speed sequential Dimensions Overall length 159.4 inches Overall width: 66.1 inches Overall height: 43.3 inches Wheelbase: 91.3 inches Tread (F/R): 59.1 / 56.3 inches Ground clearance: 2.0 inches Curb weight: 948 lbs. / 430 kg. Chassis Brake (F): Ventilated disk Brake ®: Disk Front suspension: Double wishbone Rear suspension: Double wishbone Tire size (F): 185/50 VR 13 Tire size ®: 240/45 VR 13 Engine Engine type: W701 (1299cc) Valve arrangement: DOHC-16 valve TSCC Bore x Stroke: 3.19 inches x 2.48 inches Compression ratio: 11.0 : 1 Max. Power: 175 HP / 9800 rpm Max. Torque: 102 lb. ft. / 7000 rpm Capacity Occupant: 1 Fuel tank capacity: 6.6 gallons
Next up in this motorcycle/car hybridization is an ultra-light sports car. The GSX-R/4 is a Suzuki concept car offers nimble and direct drivability utilizing Suzuki's motorcycle expertise in producing high-performance small engines, and Suzuki's weight-saving technologies developed as a manufacturer of compact automotive vehicles.
The 1.3-liter engine of the GSX1300R Hayabusa motorcycle - mounted in the mid-rear of the sports car - revs quickly up to 11,000 rpm. On tap is 173 horsepower at 9,800 rpm, also generated with the help of double overhead cams, 16 valves, an 11:1 compression ratio, liquid cooling and electronic fuel injection. The power from the GSX-R/4 engine is directed through a smooth, hand-shifted six-speed sequential transmission, and the transfer unit, linked to the output shaft of the transmission, lets the driver shift into reverse.
With an estimated maximum speed of 140 mph, the GSX-R/4 sports car includes distinctive exterior design with an aluminum frame, exposed spring and damper units, easy-to-tune and height-adjustable suspension and detachable, lightweight, recycled-plastic body panels for easy customizing. For the interior, designers chose light and supportive bucket seats for agility and comfort, as well as storage space behind the seats for helmets. As an added perk, the vehicle has a Wrist Mount System - sponsored by Seiko Instruments Inc. - that serves as a door-lock release, driver identification, wireless communication tool and hands-free mobile phone.
Along with other high-performance equipment, the GSX-R/4 has Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) technologies to enhance driver safety. Suzuki utilizes ASV technologies to match engine settings to the handling characteristics and behavior of each individual, analyzing data compiled from actual driving. Via a large, 10.4-inch monitor, individuals can view a pre-set program describing how to handle current operating conditions. Afterwards, the driver can review the data on the monitor and save it to a personal computer to further examine the information.
GSX-R/4 Specifications Transmission: 6 speed sequential Dimensions Overall length: 139.8 inches Overall width: 68.1 inches Overall height: 39.8 inches Wheelbase: 96.5 inches Tread (F/R): 60.6 / 61.0 inches Ground clearance: 3.9 inches Curb weight: 1,411 lbs. Chassis Brake (F): Ventilated disk Brake ®: Disk Front suspension: Double wishbone Rear suspension: Double wishbone Tire size (F): 185/45R20 Tire size ®: 195/45R20 Rim (F): 6.5JJ Rim ®: 6.5JJ Engine Piston displacement: 1299cc Valve arrangement: DOHC-16 valve TSCC Bore x Stroke: 3.19 inches x 2.48 inches Compression ratio: 11.0 : 1 Max. Power: 173 HP / 9800 rpm Max. Torque: 102 lb. ft. / 7000 rpm Acceleration figure: (0-60 mph) 6.3 seconds Maximum speed: 140 mph Capacity Occupant: 1 Fuel tank capacity: 6.6 gallons
