Suzuki’s all-new lighter, longer and more spacious Swift will go on sale this autumn, promising better dynamics, increased performance and improved CO2 emissions and economy.
The Swift’s all-new platform increases the wheelbase by 50mm and the overall length by 90mm. The body is also lighter and stiffer, and the front and rear tracks are 10mm and 5mm wider respectively. Suzuki claims the Swift, its best-selling model, is much improved dynamically as a result.
Suzuki’s focus on improving the dynamics is evident when looked at next to the five-door's styling, which is a subtle evolution of the outgoing car’s handsome design.
Interior pictures have yet to be revealed, but Suzuki has indicated it will be more sophisticated and “dynamic” than the outgoing car. The increase in wheelbase will also create more space for rear passengers.
The launch engine will be a new 1.2-litre petrol engine to replace the outgoing 1.3-litre unit. The Dual VVT unit produces 92bhp and 87lb ft, both figures slightly improved over the 1.3 unit. A manual gearbox will be standard and an automatic optional.
However, the real gains have been in improving fuel economy and cutting CO2 emissions. Economy is now 56.5mpg, 7.8mpg more than the 1.3, and emissions are 116g/km, 24g/km lower than the outgoing car.
A reworked 1.3-litre diesel capable of 109g/km and 67.3mpg (119g/km and 62.8mpg in the old Swift) will be available from early 2011, while a 1.6 Sport model is also expected to be launched in 2011.
//Sourced from the net-Swift official photos-Autocar magazine
** A formal announcement of the launch of this model by Maruti-Suzuki in India is expected around the official launch of this car worldwide at the Paris Auto Show this year.
