RE: Driven: Suzuki Swift Sport

RE: Driven: Suzuki Swift Sport

Tuesday 7th February 2012

Driven: Suzuki Swift Sport

Can the simple charms of Suzuki's Junior hot hatch woo us? (Clue: the answer is abso-ruddy-lutely)



Cars are bombarding us with ever-increasing amounts of gimmicky technology. Swanky electronic differentials, artificial noise 'enhancers' (note the clanging inverted commas), start-stop tech, electronically adjustable suspension... Barely a launch goes by without meddling from the gadget-lust of marketing types.

Swift Sport as fun to fling around as ever
Swift Sport as fun to fling around as ever
It's deeply refreshing, then, that the new second generation Suzuki Swift Sport's key attributes are a high-lift cam, a new six-speed gearbox and more firmly braced suspension.

Not that the Swift Sport is under-endowed in the technology/kit stakes, you understand - ESP, air-con, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and keyless entry all for £13,500 is a pretty good show in our books. But it's not equipment or value for money where the Swift Sport scores, it's in its character as an honest, straightforward and above all thoroughly enjoyable warm hatch.

Every little helps
The engine, an evolution of the old car's 1.6 (now called M16a, codename fans) is treated to a variable intake system, tweaked VVT (Variable Valve Timing) and increased valve lift, with the result that power is up to 136hp from 123hp and torque is now up from 108lb ft to 118lb ft. And it's a revvy cracker.

Where's that B-road gone?
Where's that B-road gone?
Although that torque is available from lower revs now (4,400rpm), it still feels a little overwhelmed unless you keep the engine buzzing along towards the top end of the powerband. That's no chore, though, because the six-speed gearbox is a real Goldilocks job (by which I mean neither too short nor too long in throw, and chunky without being unduly heavy. Not a blonde-haired character from a fairy tale). It's also immeasurably improved by having six forward ratios as opposed to the five of the old car,

It's not the sort of car to take traffic-light GPing, with 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, but it is comfortably quick enough to amuse, especially since it weighs just 1,045kg. That low kerb weight also brings other benefits, namely the fact that the Swift Sport is a true joy to lob about the countryside. In fact we can't think of a more grin-worthy warm hatch, with the possible exception of the Twingo Renaultsport.

Gripped, sorted

Aha - there it is
Aha - there it is
If we're being picky the firmer bushings and higher spring rates front and rear (particularly at the rear) and the generally wider, longer chassis seem to make the Swift a little less agile and adjustable than of old, but the pay-off is greater stability through long sweeping corners. And it's still easily the match of something like a Mini Cooper in terms of pointiness, with a progressive turn-in, sharp but not hyperactive steering and plenty of grip.

Alongside the pukka junior hot hatch attributes is decent economy, too: Suzuki claims a combined fuel economy figure of 44.1mpg. Now, we know trip computers tend to err on the side of optimism, and we didn't do a 'proper' economy test, but given that said trip computer averaged exactly 44.1mpg during its (heavily revved) time with us, we reckon that's an eminently achievable figure even measured properly.

Interior well equipped, if overly plasticky
Interior well equipped, if overly plasticky
So. Decent economy, plenty of kit, bags of honest-to-goodness hot hatch appeal. What's not to like about the Swift Sport? Not a lot really. If we're being truly picky the interior design is a mite unadventurous and lacks the class of, say, a Mini's cabin. But then you'll pay for the privilege with a Mini. You might also feel disappointed by the shortage of low-down torque. But if that's the case a sub-£14k warm hatch probably isn't the car for you...

 



SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT
Engine:
1,586cc 4-cyl
Power (hp):136@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft):118@4,400rpm
0-62mph: 8.7 sec
Top speed: 121mph
Weight: 1,045kg
MPG: 44.1mpg
CO2: 147g/km
Price: £13,500

Author
Discussion

Braintax

Original Poster:

321 posts

186 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Nice write up, I had a 2007 Swift Sport and I'm glad to see they have added a little power and a (much needed) 6 speed box. The car handled extremely well and was very reliable but would return rubbish economy if not ran on super unleaded. The new model seems more efficient which should help its sales but I can't help but think they've made it a lot more ugly. p.s the spec sheet says it's a twin turbo wink



I still miss it

Edited by Braintax on Tuesday 7th February 12:36

vrsmxtb

2,002 posts

155 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Trying to look like an Audi upfront. Sounds fun though, rather have one of these than a Mini and looks better than a Fab VRS, if not a Polo GTI.

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
I quite like these, I think it is a bit unfair to complain that the interior is "overly plasticky" in a sub £13k car.

Baryonyx

17,988 posts

158 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
I drove a Suzuki Swift Sport for most of 2009 and found it to be a fantastic little car.

trickywoo

11,678 posts

229 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
I doubt the mpg figure.

I have a 1.5 GLX and nursing it over a 25 mile each way A and B road route with minimal roundabouts etc sees 43 mpg.

Penneth

121 posts

180 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Suzuki have listened and delivered. Having owned an RS Twingo in the past, every gripe I had with the car has been answered in this new swift.

I want one yet I have no need for one, that speaks volumes.

I genuinely think Renaultsport are in trouble if they don't make any mechanical changes to the facelifted RS Twingo, purely because of this new swift.

Hats off to Suzuki, they've cracked it!

uncle tez

529 posts

150 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
EDLT said:
I quite like these, I think it is a bit unfair to complain that the interior is "overly plasticky" in a sub £13k car.
I think the interior looks great from the photos

Tedz

14 posts

157 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
I just hope Fiat make another Panda100hp (or maybe a 120hp in a new one?) to rival this great fun little car/class of cars.

Dave Hedgehog

14,541 posts

203 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
evo just did a group test of warm hatches and the suzuki won that

id still take the A1 wink in limited quattro guise wink

Baryonyx

17,988 posts

158 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
EVO also rated the old Swift Sport in a group test, though it is most definitely a 'warm hatch'.

And in that category, I can think back to my mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, which is for me the ultimate warm hatch. Imagine finding one without rusted arches these days...! biggrin

jtopps

154 posts

153 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
I rather like the swift and the previous model came out of nowhere to shock people by how good it was. Glad to hear they're still making a fun car.

Gixer_fan

290 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Very nice - now how about a stripped out 'cup' version with 100Kg less....

collateral

7,238 posts

217 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
It's a shame there aren't more cars like this being made. A warm-hatch (apparently anything with less than 150hp, these days) war would be very welcome, but I doubt there's much profit in it.

jmatras

220 posts

222 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Suzuki is struggling here in the States. I can't help but think they need a competitor for the iQ--now that Toyota (as Scion) has broken the ice for a car more or less this size.

Antj

1,039 posts

199 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Suzukis Swift is a cracking car, Just ask Rent4Ring. they have a new one already available for renting.

Seen many a big car/supercar embarassed by a stage 2 old shape swift.

MrTappets

881 posts

190 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Sounds like a fantastic little car, but it seems to me that with only a mild restyle the coolness, chunkiness and proportion of the old one have morphed into something slightly bland and souless.

Riggers

1,859 posts

177 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
EDLT said:
I quite like these, I think it is a bit unfair to complain that the interior is "overly plasticky" in a sub £13k car.
Fair enough, it is definitely nicer inside than a Twingo RS. But it's some way off being Mini quality AFAIC.

So I stand by my point smile

BILL PAYER

526 posts

178 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Had a look at one recently, i have a 06 plate and to me its lost a little of what the old model is about.its in danger of going the same way as the Golf gti got a little bigger rounder etc.but having said that its probably still a nice drive.

Mr_Sukebe

373 posts

207 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
That looks ace, like a modern day version of Corolla twin cam GT AE82 that I owned a number of years ago. Not much more weight, similar power and straightline performance figures.
Gotta try one of those in the near future.

Baryonyx

17,988 posts

158 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Antj said:
Seen many a big car/supercar embarassed by a stage 2 old shape swift.

Let's not be silly. The Swift Sport is peppy, but if any serious performance car were even remotely trying the Swift would be blown into the weeds.

And that's coming from a Swift fan!