Suzuki unveils new look for 2008

The Suzuki World Rally Team has released pictures of its 2008 specification SX4 WRC car, which now features a yellow and white colour scheme in place of the white livery seen on its two WRC outings in 2007.

Since Wales Rally GB the Paris-based team has been busy testing the new car ahead of its first full WRC season in 2008.

Experienced WRC competitor Toni Gardemeister is the team's lead driver and played an important role in fine-tuning the Suzuki SX4 WRC car during a pre-Christmas test in France. This week Gardemeister and his new team-mate Per-Gunnar Andersson are making preparations for Rally Sweden at a snow test in the north of the country.

After the team's pre-Monte Carlo test, Gardemeister commented: "I'm actually feeling quite confident: the car is easy to drive and I can think of a few ways to improve it still further. I think the whole team works together very well: it's no problem to work with all the Japanese engineers."

Gardemeister also used the test to practise pace notes with his new co-driver, Tomi Tuominen.

Andersson drove the SX4 WRC for the first time in the pre-Monte test and was also encouraged by the experience. "I was a bit nervous before we started but I soon got into it," he said. "I'm sure we can be competitive with this car in the near future."