New green trio from Suzuki
Suzuki is introducing three 48-Volt Self-Charging Hybrid equipped derivatives to its range next spring and will also launch its new Boosterjet petrol engine.
It is all part of the Japanese company’s plans to further reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy across its range.
The powertrain will be introduced for Swift Sport, Vitara and S-Cross models.
Then – here comes the surprise – you discover that this little mover is a fourwheel drive. It is not in the same category as a Land Rover Discovery but on a wet day in winter with some rattly terrain below you, you will be glad of the extra prowess of the Swift.
The four-wheel drive is automatic, meaning that it works out just where you need the extra strength and delivers it to the wheel or wheels in question to get you out of trouble. Simple but effective and also less surprising than you would think given Suzuki also make the rather effective Jimny.
Here’s another surprise. The Suzuki Swift in this guise is a mild hybrid. It gathers kinetic energy when you brake and sends it to a battery which will help power the start/stop mode and give you a bit of extra push when you need it, when overtaking, for example.
What this will mean in real terms for a new Swift owner is a saving in fuel costs as the alternative power source cuts in when normally you would need some extra gas.
In a nutshell, like brown paper packages tied up with str ing, unwrapping the Suzuki Swift can be quite a delightful experience.
It is a pert little thing in the driveway with 16in polished alloys, a nice nose and a big wide windscreen. It is compact and neat with a large hatch that allows easy access to the boot.
I lugged all my pots, bulbs and bulb fibre in it for my first attempts at copying Monty Don’s flower fest as silver white winters melt into spring – and the Swift coped admirably. For even bigger jobs, the rear seats fold down 60/40. Inside,