Suzuki SwiftLaunched in May 2005, the Swift has become a mainstay of Suzuki output. The all-new Swift is Suzuki’s latest model and it features developments in styling, impact safety, driving performance and handling. Significantly, for the era in which we live, there are improved fuel consumption figures and much lower emissions. This last factor is partly down to extensive use of higher strength steel, which makes the new bodyshell lighter and stiffer than before as well as offering refinement in underbody design.Other changes to the original include a slightly larger body to increase cabin room, and larger track and wheels, which with lower profile tyres allow for improved handling. It’s worth saying here that the addition of low profile tyres is often a mixed blessing, as the deterioration that it can bring to ride quality and noise levels can more than offset the handling benefits. With the Swift, however, they’ve managed to get a happy compromise, and both ride and handling are exceptional while the noise levels are commendably low.For now the engine powering the new car is a new Euro 5 compliant 1.2-litre petrol unit incorporating Dual VVT (variable intake and exhaust valve timing) that produces 94PS at 6,000rpm, slightly more than the outgoing 1.3-litre unit. Torque is also improved to 118Nm at 4,800rpm. On road this petrol engine could hardly be expected to provide massive performance, and neither does it, but the big surprise to me was how docile the engine felt at low revs. 1.2 petrol engines can usually be persuaded to motor very effectively once the revs are approaching the red line, but down below there’s not much on offer, and grabbing a lower ratio is usually the way to get going. The Swift on the other hand felt and sounded quite happy at very low revs, with the result that progress was stress-free to an almost diesel-like degree.The petrol Swift is more economical than before with fuel consumption on the combined cycle now 56.5mpg for the manual transmission model, an improvement of 7.8mpg over the previous 1.3-litre unit. Emissions are much lower as well: the new 1.2-litre engine with manual transmission produces 116g/km on the combined cycle, representing a 24g/km or 17 per cent improvement over the previous 1.3.A revised 1.3-litre diesel engine will also be available and is planned for UK introduction in Spring 2011; this engine emits 109g/km (down from 119g/km) and has an impressive combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg, improving on an already highly credible 62.8mpg from the outgoing Swift DDiS. This Euro 5 engine has more precise engine management than before with reduced levels of mechanical friction for smoother running and flexibility. I was able to test it at the launch, and of course the extra low down torque was welcome. Interestingly, max speed of both engines is the same, at 103mph, with the auto (only available with the petrol engine) quoted at 99. Interior design of the new Swift features black as its keynote colour with accents of silver throughout the car. Quality of the plastics employed is impressive for this class of car, and the designers have given a lot of thought to sensible and practical touches like the size and variety of pockets and boxes to hold life’s odds and ends. A glance at the Swift pics might lead one to suppose that with the tapering height from the A-pillar backwards rear seat head room would not be great. In fact it’s ample for even tall adults, though leg room for them is less impressive.As for boot space, this is short but deep, loaded over a high sill. Minimum volume is 211 litres, which grows to 528 with the rear seats folded. Neither figure is particularly impressive, both being less than the Ford Ka for instance, a car that’s about nine inches shorter. Folding the rear seats is an easy task, but the cushion remains fixed, leaving a pronounced step on the floor. The new Swift is available in three- and five-door body styles and three clearly defined grades; SZ2, SZ3 and SZ4. All models have seven airbags as standard equipment (including driver’s knee airbag) as well as ESP, and that combination is mightily impressive at this level. Standard too are remote locking with deadlocks, electric mirrors/front windows, MP3 compatible radio/CD with USB port, and driver’s seat height adjuster.Size: 3.85m x 1.70mEngines: Petrol: 1.2 litresDiesel: 1.3 litresGearbox: 5-speed FWDBest Consumption: Diesel – 67.3mpgPrice at Nov’10: £9,995 to £13,245 (petrol models)Full details of the Swift are available on the manufacturer’s website: www.suzuki.co.ukPeter Cracknell - Nov 2010
Suzuki Swift
Launched in May 2005, the Swift has become a
mainstay of Suzuki output. The all-new Swift is Suzuki’s
latest model and it features developments in styling,
impact safety, driving performance and handling.
Significantly, for the era in which we live, there are
improved fuel consumption figures and much lower
emissions. This last factor is partly down to extensive
use of higher strength steel, which makes the new
bodyshell lighter and stiffer than before as well as
offering refinement in
underbody design.
Other changes to the
original include a slightly
larger body to increase
cabin room, and larger
track and wheels, which
with lower profile tyres
allow for improved
handling. It’s worth
saying here that the
addition of low profile
tyres is often a mixed
blessing, as the
deterioration that it can
bring to ride quality and
noise levels can more
than offset the handling
benefits. With the Swift,
however, they’ve managed to get a happy compromise,
and both ride and handling are exceptional while the
noise levels are commendably low.
For now the engine powering the new car is a new Euro
5 compliant 1.2-litre petrol unit incorporating Dual VVT
(variable intake and exhaust valve timing) that
produces 94PS at 6,000rpm, slightly more than the
outgoing 1.3-litre unit. Torque is also improved to
118Nm at 4,800rpm. On road this petrol engine could
hardly be expected to provide massive performance,
and neither does it, but the big surprise to me was how
docile the engine felt at low revs. 1.2 petrol engines can
usually be persuaded to motor very effectively once the
revs are approaching the red line, but down below
there’s not much on offer, and grabbing a lower ratio is
usually the way to get going. The Swift on the other
hand felt and sounded quite happy at very low revs,
with the result that progress was stress-free to an
almost diesel-like degree.
The petrol Swift is more economical than before with
fuel consumption on the combined cycle now 56.5mpg
for the manual transmission model, an improvement of
7.8mpg over the previous 1.3-litre unit. Emissions are
much lower as well: the new 1.2-litre engine with
manual transmission produces 116g/km on the
combined cycle, representing a 24g/km or 17 per cent
improvement over the previous 1.3.
A revised 1.3-litre diesel engine will also be available
and is planned for UK introduction in Spring 2011; this
engine emits 109g/km (down from 119g/km) and has an
impressive combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg,
improving on an already highly credible 62.8mpg from
the outgoing Swift DDiS. This Euro 5 engine has more
precise engine management than before with reduced
levels of mechanical friction for smoother running and
flexibility. I was able to test it at the launch, and of course
the extra low down torque was welcome. Interestingly,
max speed of both engines is the same, at 103mph, with
the auto (only available with the petrol engine) quoted at
99.
Interior design of the new Swift features black as its
keynote colour with accents of silver throughout the car.
Quality of the plastics
employed is impressive for
this class of car, and the
designers have given a lot
of thought to sensible and
practical touches like the
size and variety of pockets
and boxes to hold life’s odds
and ends. A glance at the
Swift pics might lead one to
suppose that with the
tapering height from the A-
pillar backwards rear seat
head room would not be
great. In fact it’s ample for
even tall adults, though leg
room for them is less
impressive.
As for boot space, this is
short but deep, loaded over a high sill. Minimum volume
is 211 litres, which grows to 528 with the rear seats
folded. Neither figure is particularly impressive, both
being less than the Ford Ka for instance, a car that’s
about nine inches shorter. Folding the rear seats is an
easy task, but the cushion remains fixed, leaving a
pronounced step on the floor.
The new Swift is available in three- and five-door body
styles and three clearly defined grades; SZ2, SZ3 and
SZ4. All models have seven airbags as standard
equipment (including driver’s knee airbag) as well as
ESP, and that combination is mightily impressive at this
level. Standard too are remote locking with deadlocks,
electric mirrors/front windows, MP3 compatible radio/CD
with USB port, and driver’s seat height adjuster.
Size:
3.85m x 1.70m
Engines:
Petrol: 1.2 litres
Diesel: 1.3 litres
Gearbox:
5-speed FWD
Best Consumption:
Diesel – 67.3mpg
Price at Nov’10:
£9,995 to £13,245 (petrol models)
Full details of the Swift are available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.suzuki.co.uk
Peter Cracknell - Nov 2010
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