• Limited run RHD example

 • Only 48,086 miles from new

 • Excellent condition throughout

 • Three owners from new

 • Recent service and MOT

The word 'Ignis' is derived from the Latin for 'fire’. For those who associate the Suzuki cars with docile but reliable happy shoppers and compact off-roaders, we have a surprise for you. Suzuki launched the FH series Ignis into the world of rallying in 2003, having previously proved their credentials with the now legendary 1990s Suzuki Swift GTI. The Suzuki Ignis Sport is a direct result of Suzuki’s involvement in the Junior World Rally Championship. The vehicle was conceived, constructed, and engineered to give drivers a distinct motorsport sensation, as embodied in the JWRC, while also being practical and easy to drive on a daily basis. 

The car features several notable factory-fitted modifications to add credence to its homologation status as a competition car, as demonstrated by its lowered suspension and tuned 1.5-litre engine, to complement the close-ratio gearbox and tuned exhaust. It is finished in a practical package that boasts a sports-oriented interior design and a unique body kit. With only 48,086 recorded miles, three owners, and no records or physical signs of use in competition, this 2004 example could be one of the best opportunity to obtain a punchy, unique, and well-balanced pocket rocket for folks who love to drive. 

 • Homologation ready

 • Full-service history

 • MOT to March 2023

It has only seen 3 previous owners over its lifetime, with the last 2 being Suzuki Ignis Sport admirers. Acquired by the current owner earlier this year, the car's low mileage and originality are something that he was keen to retain, however, the ever-present issue of space is the main reason why the car needs to be sold. 

This is a genuine UK supplied car, not a grey import and was originally registered by the well-established Suzuki dealer, Town and Country cars in Woking in March 2004. It's quite possible that this particular car was used as a demonstration car for the showroom, as the dealer is the first documented owner in the service book. 

The car has service stamps by Suzuki main dealers up to 2011, with subsequent servicing carried out by independents and comes with a good body of invoices, with nothing more than sundry and servicing invoices to demonstrate the well-known aspect of Suzuki reliability. It has seen periodic brake work, with recent attention carried out on the drive belts. Its most recent service was towards the end of 2021 and has an MOT until March 2023. 

 • No modification or bolts on's

 • Near pristine presentation

 • Original Recaro rally seats

The interior is in very good shape, with no outstanding blemishes of any note. The car retains its original factory fit Recaro rally seats, with the yellow fishnet headrests, all are in good condition with firm foam and no cloth damage. The carpets are in well-kept condition, all are bone-dry. The car also comes with a pair of front mats. 

The dashboard condition is aligned to the low mileage of the car, and therefore displays very little in terms of wear and has done well to resist the passage of time. All of the trim are standard factory fittings and it has been spared any bolt-ons or additional gauges. The car come with its original Clarion MP3/CD player, white instrument dials with blue illumination and carbon effect centre console and trim, which goes some way toward elevating the visual presentation of the cabin. All of the dials, switches and controls are in good shape and said to be in full working order, although the air-con is weak.

The door cards and headlining are good, with no damage, other than the occasional minor age related mark. The boot shows signs of typical light use, with a few scuffs but still presentable. It also retains its original seat belts, three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, all of which have worn well. The owner reports that the central locking key is temperamental, which might be nothing more than a key-fob battery issue.

 • Solid and original bodywork

 • Rarer black paint finish

 • Refurbished alloys

The exterior is very tidy, with no significant issues with the structure of the car. The inner wings, sills, engine bay, boot floor and floor pan are solid, with the underside showing the lightest touches of age coming through the underseal. The body follows the same story, with no immediate observations of damage on the panels. All fit well with even panel gaps, and no significant issues were noted and appearing to be dent free. The bumpers and side trim hang well, with the odd blemish noted on the rear item. 

The bluish-black pearl paint finish displays a slight tint of blue in some light and retains a good even finish with a decent shine throughout. There are a handful of scuffs on the car, mostly observed on the nearside, particularly on the rear arch and a handful on the roof. They have not penetrated too deeply and appear to be cosmetic. The bonnet also has a light scattering of stone chips and there is the occasional minor chip on the door edges, which is exacerbated by the car's dark colour, but certainly way below the expectation of a car of this age. Otherwise, there is not much else to suggest that the car has been used carelessly.

The glass is all in decent order, with no damage and their respective rubber seals, including the door items are in good condition. The lights and lens are intact, with no cracks or significant fading. The original white factory sport-specific wheels have been refurbished and set the car off nicely, all of the tyres are under 5 years old and show a well above the minimum legal limit for tread depth. This Ignis has seen a pair of wind deflectors added to the front doors, which is believed to be the only exception to its original factory build and is mostly likely to be a dealer fitted option.

 • Exceptionally clean engine

 • Drives beautifully

 • Factory tuned 1.5-litre engine with aftermarket modifications

Mechanically the car is in good order, with no reported issues with its starting or action on the road, this is no doubt due to a positive combination of regular servicing and its low mileage. It fires up with no issues, with all of the warning lights remaining off after start-up, idling evenly with no excessive smoke or unwanted engine noises. The normally aspirated and completely unmodified engine pulls well, and as to be expected for a Japanese engine, has not let the owner down. 

The engine's factory tuned 1.5-litre 16-valve VVT engine thrives on high revs, due to the lightened flywheel to encourage a useful 107 bhp to flow,  a near perfect attribute on a car weighing less than a ton. This makes the proposition of chucking it around the country lanes an appealing attribute. The ride is typically firm, but the stability is not marred by any suspension complaints, with no record of knocking or squeaking. On the move, it is said to maintain good oil pressure, with no reported issues with the engine temperature. The exhaust is in good shape, with no blowing and is said to be leak-free from mechanical fluids too.

The Ignis is fitted with all-round ventilated front and rear discs, visually they are in good condition, with typical signs of age on the components but are fully operational and said to perform without fault or fade. When in town, the car is remarkable docile, returning decent MPG, the clutch is a factory-fitted competition specified item so may feel a little heavy, but it has a good biting point and works well in conjunction with the close-ratio five-speed gearbox. 

The power-assisted steering is compliant and is said not to strain in use. The engine presentation is another clue to its cherished ownership, it is in excellent visual condition, with the core components displaying a near perfect finish. Ancillaries, sensors, hoses, wires and pipes are intact throughout.

The Ignis Sport has a cult following and those who are aware of the car’s talents will swear blind that there is nothing that compares to it. Underneath the boxy utilitarian design lies a competent little gem that has the advantage of being preserved near to when it left the factory, which is an unusual and desirable attribute for a homologation car built for competition.  

The only decision the future owner will have to make is whether they want to preserve the car's originality or use it as intended, as this is a unique opportunity to own one of Suzuki's best-kept secrets.