We've banged on enough about the old
Suzuki Swift Sport
that it doesn't need repeating here. No, really, it doesn't. Its successor is very eagerly anticipated, basically, but there's also a degree of apprehension because - like literally every other hot hatch now - the engine will be turbocharged.
The big news here? 6,250rpm redline. Boo
Now, that engine is a 1.4 Boosterjet, turbocharged to up the torque figures at lower revs and aid fuel economy. The engine is up 52lb ft on the old one to 170lb ft; with a tad more power (now 140hp, where it was 136) and a lower kerbweight (970kg) than its predecessor means, it now has one of the most competitive torque to weight ratios in the hot hatch market. Or so it says here. However, there is no hiding our disappointment in the fairly low redline, given the old M16 engine made its peak power at 6,900rpm, and the driving experience was largely defined by that. Let's see how it drives...
It has been launched in Champion Yellow, derived from the Suzuki Works rally car - as the launch colour has been for the previous generations. The front end has a unique design for the honeycomb grille, sticking out further than on the standard Swift. It has five doors (with hidden rear handles) and twin exhausts. There's a six-speed manual as well. Stiffness and lightness were also keywords for this new model. Based on the standard Swift's 'HEARTECT' platform allowed engineers to increase underbody stiffness by replacing the previously segmented frame for a continuous one. Coupling that with the 'TECT' body and optimisation of other parts contributed to a saving of 80kg versus the previous model.
The wheelbase is 20mm longer with 40mm wider track front and rear, whilst the body has been lowered 15mm giving it a more "grounded, athletic stance". There are new wheels, some slightly more aggressive sills and front bumper plus and plenty of technology to keep the driver safe including an advanced forward detection system, dual sensor brake support, lane departure warning, weaving alert function and many others.
This new Swift has more torque, less weight, improved efficiency and more safety equipment thatn its predecessor. Let's hope it is just as much fun to drive.
