According to the latest edition of Spain's
Solo Moto magazine, Suzuki has switched from a V4 to Inline four-cylinder engine configuration for its 1000cc
MotoGP machine.
The factory, which quit
MotoGP at the end of last year, is developing the new bike with a view to returning to the premier-class by 2014.
An Inline four would match the engine layout used for Suzuki's GSX-R1000 Superbike.
“The Suzuki 1000cc project is still under development. We are just lacking some budget to race,” factory test rider and former
MotoGP racer Nobuatsu Aoki told
Crash.net during the winter break.
“The bike is completely new, relative to the 800c so there are many small things to fix. But we have time.
“The plan is still for Suzuki to return to
MotoGP in 2014.”
Suzuki last won the 500cc/MotoGP title in 2000 but took just one race victory, by
Chris Vermeulen at the wet 2007 Le Mans race, following the sport's 2002 four-stroke switch.
As of 2012, all
MotoGP engines must be four-cylinder with a maximum cylinder bore of 81mm. Yamaha uses an Inline layout (with a 'big bang' firing order) while Honda and Ducati use a V4 design.