Suzuki officially unveil new GSV-R

The striking blue bike features an evolved V4 engine that has been developed to help improve acceleration, but has also helped lower fuel consumption.

A great deal of focus has been placed on the bike's handling, with a new fairing fitted, although the machine retains much of the structural design of last year's version.

Suzuki's race group leader Fumihiro Oonishi was hopeful that the work should help deliver improved results in 2008.

"We have developed this year's bike with the clear aim to improve its acceleration as our main target and this has been achieved with various improvements to its engine, chassis and electronics," he said.

"We have tried to refine and improve on every detail of last year's bike while still keeping the durability that was such a large factor in the GSV-R's performances during 2007.

"We have lower fuel consumption, and this matched to higher engine output and an easier to ride bike. We are sure that this will be a good combination and provide us with good results in the 2008 MotoGP races.

"There are lots of other changes to this year's GSV-R and these, combined with the base package of the bike and Bridgestone's superb tyres, give Suzuki what it believes to be an excellent machine for this season's challenge."

Australian Chris Vermeulen is clearly overjoyed about the steps that the new bike should deliver this year - having already been impressed in early testing.

"The new bike looks great and is already a lot better to ride than last year's GSV-R," he said. "It feels quicker and I am able to get on the power better out of the corners. The handling is even better than it was so that is a huge plus - because it was very good already.

"Suzuki has worked really hard on this bike and listened to what we wanted, and tried to come up with a solution for everything we gave them. It is not quite the finished article yet, but I am sure that when the season starts it will be pretty close to it!"

Italian Loris Capirossi, who joins the team after a difficult year at Ducati Marlboro, added: "I have been with Suzuki a short while but for me they are very switched on and are trying their hardest to make the bike the best it can be for the new season -. I still feel like I have a new toy.

"Suzuki is certainly listening to what we want. We asked for changes after each test and the next time we have ridden the bike they have been made, so that is all good. The bike also looks great with the new design; I love the colour and look forward racing in it."