Sexy Suzi

The Suzuki SX4 - a longer, wider, higher, 4WD version of the popular Swift - will form the basis of an assault on next year's World Rally Championship.

The street version features a three-way adjustable drive mechanism.

The driver can hold the SX4 in two-wheel drive, lock it into all-wheel drive, or let the vehicle's intelligent control systems make the decision about which is the best drive configuration for a particular condition.

It is powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder engine with 16 valves, developing 107kW of power at 5800rpm and 184Nm of torque at 3500rpm.

The five-speed manual SX4 will cost $24,990 and the four-speed auto an additional $2,000.

The five-seater hatch is wide with a rising waistline and large triangle A-pillar windows.

That translates into interior space with the dashboard angled away to emphasise the airy cabin feeling.

Features include audio switches on the steering wheel, cruise control, electric windows, keyless entry and starting, up-market sound system with front and rear tweeters and front and rear mid-range speakers, and climate-control air-conditioning.

Joining the SX4 on the stand will be the full range of Suzuki products including the Swift, Grand Vitara and Liana.

Suzuki is on a high after last year setting another sales record in Queensland.

Last year it increased sales 22 per cent over 2005 when sales jumped 172 per cent while the Queensland market grew just 6.7 per cent.

Queenslanders bought more than 40 per cent of all Suzuki vehicles sold in Australia last year.

Suzuki Auto Co general manager Keith Carroll said he believed Suzuki would sell around 8000 vehicles this year which would be an 18 percent increase over 2006.

Of them, he predicted about 640 would be the new SX4.