The new Suzuki Swift was made public at last weekend’s Festival of Motoring (FOM) at Kyalami. Although the Swift has been available in Japan, India and Europe since April we will only get them next month if all goes according to plan. So, if you like the present generation car the chances of getting one for a really good price right now, as they run out, is excellent. Speak to your dealer, I know they have sharp pencils on hand.
“The Suzuki Swift introduced South Africans to the Suzuki brand in 2008 and it has since found over 85 000 homes here. Today, the Swift often leads its segment and even the passenger vehicle market in general and we know that fans at FOM and in the market in general are excited about this fourth-generation model,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
The new or fourth generation Swift is getting a new version of the Z12E engine and a new CVT which Suzuki claims improves the fuel economy even more. This new 3-cylinder 1.2 litre engine delivers 60 kW at 5 700 rpm and 112 Nm at 4 300 rpm using a multipoint fuel injection system and four valves per cylinder. Remember, the car is quite light so a few Newtons go a long way.
The new Swift will be available in three specification levels, namely GL, GL+ and the luxury GLX models, the latter two with a choice of five-speed manual or auto (CVT) boxes, the GLX with paddle shifts, nogal. No word about a Sport varient yet.
The new model has the same wide stance with the darkened side pillars of its predecessors, but with slightly broader hips with a lip at the back, so it looks much like the outgoing model on the outside unless you see it side-by-side with the old one. I think that is a good thing. Why mess with a winning formula?
Both the interior and the equipment specification have been worked on to improve the car, befitting Suzuki’s best selling model by far in Mzanzi. For example all versions will now have six airbags, hill hold control, ABS with emergency brake support, and electronic stability control as standard. The air conditioning system is now digital across the range which now has electric windows on all doors, electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors, central locking with remote control, and rear parking sensors.
The infotainment system on the GLX version now has a high-definition 9” screen. The leather clad steering wheel adds controls for the cruise control system. The top model also has automatically folding side mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start and automatic headlights. Nice touches.
All in all the new Swift improves on a very successful design and Suzuki appears to not have made unnecessary changes but done just enough to keep the car at the front of the pack. The engine and gearboxes being the most changed components.
Prices and performance will only be known nearer to the actual launch date.
