Suzuki today announced t♓hat it would contest the new-format 2002 FIM World MotoGP Championship with its new꧋ 4-stroke-engined GP machine.

Oಞriginally it was planned to develop the new machine throughout 2002 and launch it in 2003, but initial test results convinced Suzuki to bring the whole schedule forward by 12 months. The new 4-stroke grand prix machine will make its debut next year at the opening round at Suzuka in April.

The machine will be all-new, but other vital parts of the official factory Suzuki team remain the same, with main sponsor Telefonica MoviStar continuing its successful partnership with Suzuki, Kenny Roberts Jr and Sete Gibernau. Other major technical sponsors confirmed for the new ൲4-stroke development program include MOTUL and DUNLOP.

The new 4-stroke engine project, code named XRE0, started in February 2000 and 🅰the phase-one targets were achieved and exceeded well ahead of schedule. The XRE0 engine was then installed in a modi♌fied RGV-r race chassis for the next stage of development.

The XRE0 is an extremely light and compact 990cc, 60-degree, V4 configuration engine design with a single crankshaft, gear-driven DOHC and electronic fuel injection. Specific attention has been paid to the combustion design in the interest🧸s of obtaining maximum fuel efficiency and consumption.

Suzuki's vast experience in designing and developing the legendary GSX-R factory Superbike race machines has helped to accel𒆙erate the XRE0 development program and the new engine produces exceptional low-to-mid range torq💎ue to aid controllability, as well as the high maximum power figures required to win the new MotoGP championship.

Much of the techno🍰logy used to create the chassis of the year 2000 World 500cc Championship RGV-r machine has been incorporated in the new XRE0 machine, and its similar dimensions w💎ill feel comfortably familiar to riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and Sete Gibernau when they join the on-going test programme. The XRE0 development program will continue over the winter period with experienced Japanese test riders working with the Suzuki factory development team.

Kunio ARASE. XRE0 Project Leader: "Through the u﷽se of various advanced Suzuki t✱echnologies we have been able to accelerate the development program of the new XREO machine to enable us to enter the MotoGP series one whole year ahead of schedule.

"The new ultra-compact and lightweight XRE0 engine has exceeded our power and efficiency targets and by ♑combining our successful Superbike and GP technologies we have a machine that we believe will be capable of winning the new MotoGP series.

"We are continuing to test the machine both on and off the track and rider feedback gives us great confidence that we will have a very competitive machine at the start of the 2🥃002 MotoGP season."

"The decision to bring the 4 stroke project onto the track in 2002 is great news for the team," said Telefonica Movistar Suzuki Team Manager Garry Taylor. "Initial tests in Japan 🌜have shown that the engine is exceeding power and reliability targets and we look forward to being competitive in MotoGP. The decision to run Dunlop tyres was taken by the team of designers who created the XREO machine. They have had a long relationship with Dunlop in American and World Superbike competitions where they have won many titles and we are very happy with this development.

"We made the request to Suzuki to bring the 4 stroke project forward about two thirds of the way through last season. They were very conservative in their response and I think they were right to be so because we maybe would have lost focus 🐠on the 2 stroke machines. Now they ꦦhave confirmed what we were all hoping for and the whole team is very excited."

Taylor's enthusiasm was mirrored by former 500cc World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr. "This is the most exciting news I have heard in a long time. I am extremely pleased with Suzuki's💃 decision to bring forward the 4 stroke project and I am happy to be a part of this progression. It is going to be a very interesting time for Grand Prix racing. I think that through this decision Suzuki have shown their commitment to win another World Championship. Grand Prix racing has not seen the last of Suzuki and Kenny Roberts Junior winning races and championships."

"This is the be꧃st Christmas present I have ever had!" claimed Roberts' team-mate Sete Gibernau. "I am delighted Suzuki have listened to our request to bring the 4 stroke project forward to 2002. If we can combine Suzuki's excellent handling with increased power then I know that we will be challenging for more victories next season.༺ We already experimented with some chassis and airbox set-ups on the 2 stroke and now I can't wait to get my hands on the 4 stroke. Results last year were not as we had hoped for but now we can all look towards the future with renewed optimism."

Specification of the XRE0
Engine: Liquid cooled 4-cycle V4 DOHC 4-valve
Capacity: 990cc
Max power: 210PS + / 14,000rpm+
Frame: Aluminium twin spar
Fuel tank capacity: 22
Weight: 145kg