Little Suzuki swiftly becoming a big hit
That MPG number is partly down to the fact that this is a ‘mild’ hybrid with an integrated starter generator and battery pack using regenerated electricity recovered from braking. The car cannot drive on just electric power - the generator only cuts in to assist with acceleration when needed.
The new Swift has a longer wheelbase, is a little wider but slightly lower and shorter helping it to lose around 120kg over the old model in the quest for ever improving economy and emissions plus boosting performance and handling. Two new lightweight three cylinder engines also help make the most of the lighter structure.
When the new model was unveiled the three-door version and the cheapest trim level were axed meaning prices now start from just £12,000 with SZ3, SZ-T and SZ5 versions on offer. A new turbocharged Swift Sport will join the range anytime now.
Under the bonnet of our test car was the 1.2 - litre engine which does carry over from the old model, but there are those two new three cylinder 1-litre Boosterjet units with 109bhp or 125bhp on offer which give even better fuel economy.
A five-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard, although a sixspeed automatic is available with the BoosterJet engines and our car also had the four-wheel drive option (only available with the 1.2 engine) which took its on the road price up to £15,499.
The Swift first appeared way back in 1983 and more than a million have found homes in Europe since the third generation launched in 2005 with 127,000 of those sales in the UK, so there’s a lot running on this new version.
The new interior has more comfortable seats and a new dashboard with a quality feel and there’s more space thanks to that longer wheelbase, including a 25 per cent bigger boot.
The all five-door range kicks off with the SZ-3, which gets 15in alloys, DAB radio, Bluetooth, the 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and air conditioning. The SZ-T trim introduces the three-cylinder turbocharged motor and is predicted to take around half of UK sales, offering 16in alloys, a rear parking camera and a smartphone link.
Top-trim SZ5 (our car) has a 4.2in colour information screen between its dials, all-round disc brakes, a central 3D infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav, and a crash avoidance sensor system, which provides assisted and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, as well as lane-departure warning and a weaving sensor which warns inattentive drivers.
Testament to just how good the latest Swift is comes from the news earlier this month that it has made the final three in the Urban category of the World Car of the Year awards. The winner will be announced at the New York International Motor Show on March 28… so watch this space!
More information at www.suzuki. co.uk