Suzuki’s all-new Ignis World Rally Championship car will be a star attraction at this year’s Sydney Motor Show.

The Ignis WRC contender will take centre stage on Suzuki Australia’s stand at the Sydney show, which runs 17-26 October 2000, in what will be its first public appearance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Developed for the newly created ‘Super 1600’ WRC category which is introduced for the first time in 2001, the Ignis WRC car is based on the recently released compact and stylish three-door model.

"So far only the media has had a sneak preview of the Ignis WRC car and the reaction has been very positive, as much for the look of the car as the fact that Suzuki has built a serious rally car," says Suzuki Australia’s marketing manager, Kim Stonehouse.

"We are betting on the public having a similar response because it is visually exciting and will no doubt generate a great deal of interest among rally enthusiasts."

The Suzuki Ignis rally car will be available for sale to private competitors to contest the new low-cost formula.

Among the added features for WRC competition is a larger 1.6 litre engine, a sequential six-speed gearbox, four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers on the disc brakes, and 17in wheels.