Press Release
All New Stand-Out Supermini
One of the most significant Suzuki vehicles to emerge from the Company in recent years enters dealer showrooms from 15 April. The all-new Swift brings to the compact car segment a blend of eye-catching good looks, Japanese quality and European-inspired driving dynamics, and with prices starting at £7,499, excellent handling and 40 mpg-plus fuel economy, has the individuality to attract the most discerning of supermini customers.
Suzuki has deliberately kept the line-up simple, and available immediately are five-speed manual five door 1.3 GL and 1.5 GLX models at £7,799 and £8,999 respectively, and a four-speed automatic 1.5 GLX priced at £9,824. They’re joined in June by the entry level three door 1.3 GL manual at £7,499.
The cheeky and distinctive styling and a spacious interior are complemented by a very comprehensive specification. All models feature front, side and curtain airbags, radio/CD player, remote central locking and immobiliser, electric front windows, electric and heated door mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and tinted glass, while the GLX gains keyless entry and start, air conditioning, alloy wheels, and front fog lamps.
These petrol-engined Swifts are just the start: September sees the arrival of a 1.3 litre DDi diesel model, while next year the range is to be expanded with a cabriolet variant with folding metal roof and, exploiting the full potential of the Swift’s capable chassis, a hot 1.6-litre GTi derivative.
And the Swift will also form the basis of Suzuki’s new Junior World Rally Championship title contender later in the year, replacing the all-conquering, Championship-winning Ignis.
Enjoyable performance
With the Swift likely to spend much of its time in urban environments or on twisting country roads, its two petrol engines, a 92 PS 1.3 litre and a 102 PS 1.5 litre, have been selected for their strong performance at low and mid-range engine speeds. The 1.5 litre also features advanced variable valve timing to maximise torque and power throughout the rev range. Peak torque figures are 114 Nm at 4200 rpm and 133 Nm at 4100 rpm, respectively.
Both engines deliver enjoyable driving characteristics, with the Swift 1.3 litre dispatching 0-62 mph in 11 seconds, the manual 1.5 litre model taking a second less, and reaching top speeds of 109 mph and 115 mph, respectively. Those figures are complemented by strong fuel economy with all models exceeding 40 mpg on the Combined cycle, including the automatic at 40.9 mpg. That rises to 43.5 mpg for the 1.5 manual and to 45.6 mpg for the 1.3 litre.
The five-speed manual transmission features satisfyingly firm and quick gear shifting thanks to an enhanced linkage arrangement. Unusually for this category, the four-speed automatic has a gated shift lever allowing the driver to enjoy gear shifting for added exhilaration.
Global outlook, European focus
The Swift is the first product of Suzuki’s radical programme of innovation aimed at strengthening its position as both a leading compact car manufacturer and one of the world’s leading motorcycle brands. The Swift provides the first glimpse of the new ideas and design approaches that will shape many new Suzuki models in years to come.
Global in its outlook and global in its production – it is built in Japan, Hungary, China and India – the Swift’s development has nonetheless focused firmly on the demands and tastes of the European market in terms of design and driving characteristics. Indeed, the design team’s first step was to establish a base in Europe, where it was able to gain a valuable insight into the European mindset and draw inspiration from the European environment. And much of the programme of chassis development and refinement resulted from extensive road and track testing across the continent.
The result is an innovative, sporty and elegant design with genuine international appeal. A whole new departure in Suzuki design, the Swift develops styling themes first seen in the Concept-S and Concept-S2 show cars, and demonstrates the company’s desire to develop original interpretations of established market segments.
The stylists deliberately shunned the trend towards ‘one-box’ uniformity, instead producing a substantive design with a distinct bonnet. Muscular, flared wheel arches, bold sills, wheels ‘in each corner’, and a broad-shouldered beltline that continues all the way to the tail lights suggest stability and provide more than a hint of the car’s dynamic appeal.
The strong curvature of the nose together with the square cut openings of the wide, deep spoiler and mesh grille add further distinction. Then there’s the wraparound glasshouse effect, created by black A- and B-pillars, and headlamp housings that sweep back into the wings to mirror the rear tail lights.
The expressively styled tailgate meets a large rear bumper that forms a solid visual base for the lower part of the body, while at the top of the tailgate the roof’s trailing edge is shaped as a spoiler – improving aerodynamics while saving a valuable 1kg over a conventional bolt-on item.
Easy entry
GLX models feature keyless entry for simple door unlocking, engine start-up and locking. With this system, there’s no fumbling, and no need to insert a key or press a remote. Instead, as long as you’re carrying the key, or it’s in a pocket or bag, the system detects its presence and unlocks the car. The doors are opened simply by pressing a button on either front door handle, while the engine is started by twisting the ignition key housing. As soon as you walk away from the car, the system detects the key’s absence and the car is locked and immobilised.
And to make the supermarket shop even easier, the tailgate features an electric catch that just needs a light touch to release it.
Room to breathe
At 1690 mm, the Swift has one of the widest bodies in its class and together with a long wheelbase, permits a spacious cabin that realises exceptional people and luggage carrying flexibility.
The design team set out to create a chic yet functional interior which uses aluminium trim highlights to add an air of understated sophistication. Tight fit and finish of trim items together with high grade plastics contribute to an overall sense of refinement and quality.
With front seats that offer superior support and hold and class-leading fore and aft adjustment of 240 mm, driver’s seat height adjustment and tilt-adjustable steering column, even drivers of smaller stature can find the optimal seating position for confident driving and easy pedal operation.
The instrument binnacle is set relatively low to ensure good forward visibility and reinforce the sense of openess. A triple gauge instrument cluster features a tachometer with a needle that rests in the six o’clock position, reflecting sports bike convention. Centrally mounted at the leading edge of the fascia is a digital information display that shows time, fuel consumption and outside temperature.
The standard radio/CD player is neatly and seamlessly integrated into the central fascia which can be operated using either the simple, one touch push button controls, or those conveniently mounted on the sporty three-spoke steering wheel. Located beneath the radio/CD are large, dial-type controls for the heating and ventilation system or, on the
1.5 GLX, the standard air conditioning.
Storage spaces for mobiles, CDs and other every day motoring paraphernalia are spread around the cabin and include a compartment in the instrument panel, a glove box, front and rear cup holders (three in total), a seatback pocket, front door pockets – large enough for A4-size road atlases – and a ‘hidden’ tray under the front passenger seat.
The cylindrical ashtray is conveniently not fixed in place and can be moved around or placed in any of the cupholders; and of course it has other uses for non smokers.
The tailgate opens up to reveal a 213 litre capacity boot (VDA) with a flat, practical floor thanks in part to the choice of a torsion beam suspension arrangement. Collapse the 60:40 split, tumble-folding rear seat, and the load area is expanded to a useful 562 litres.
Comprehensive safety measures
The Swift is a secure place to be in the event of an accident. An outstandingly crashworthy structure – awarded 4 Stars for occupant protection by Euro NCAP – features extensive use of high tensile steel and tailored blanks to achieve strength without the penalty of added weight.
All models incorporate standard driver and passenger front and side airbags, as well as full length curtain airbags, and these are complemented by leg-injury mitigating brake and clutch pedals, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, energy absorbing trim, three point ELR seatbelts for all seats and child seat ISOFIX attachments on the rear seat. Each seat also has a head restraint, those in the rear designed to minimise obstruction of the driver’s rear view.
Pedestrian protection measures too – which received a 3 Star Euro NCAP rating, particularly impressive for a compact car - have been given careful consideration, and bonnet, wings, wipers and front bumper are all designed to be crushable and to absorb impact energy more progressively, so reducing injury.
And helping to avoid an accident in the first place are anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution [EBD] and a brake assist function, all complementing the Swift’s responsive, agile chassis.
A chassis to match the looks
One of the widest tracks in its class – 1,470 mm at the front and 1,480 mm at the rear – and a 2,390 mm wheelbase mean the Swift offers great handling stability and ride comfort.
Suzuki’s European programme of chassis development has paid dividends and the Swift provides a level of handling that will appeal to the enthusiast as much as to typical B-segment customers, while still achieving a sophisticated and comfortable ride.
The Swift’s all-new platform features a front sub-frame to which are mounted the steering gearbox, the suspension lower arms and the rear engine mounting. The resulting rigid structure translates into lower road noise and a strong feeling of stability. MacPherson strut suspension at the front is matched by a torsion beam and coil springs at the rear. The low unsprung weight of the torsion beam arrangement enables effective control of camber angle and toe-in to deliver accurate and predictable handling, while its space-efficient layout plays a key role in achieving a low, flat boot floor.
To round off the driving experience, there’s a new steering gearbox that gives a much more direct and precise feel, and a braking system that uses particularly rigid callipers for enhanced stopping performance.
Despite the Swift’s 1690 mm overall width, it still remains a highly manoeuvrable proposition about town and the turning circle is just 9.4 m.
