Suzuki’s pocket rocket
SWIFT SPORT: MORE POWER AND LESS WEIGHT COMBINE FOR FUN DRIVE
Automatic version edges out the manual over the 0 to 100km/h sprint.
Suzuki has an enviable reputation in the motor industry for building reliable, fun little cars, and with the introduction of the much-anticipated turbocharged Swift Sport expectation has been high.
We covered all the nice and fluffy aircon and electric windows stuff that the Swift Sport offers a few months ago when we attended the launch of this little pocket rocket. Now it’s time to get into what it means to have a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine under the bonnet.
In the past, Suzuki has relied on naturally aspirated engines to get the job of being sporty done. The previous generation Swift Sport ran a 1.6-litre powerplant that developed 100kW of power and 160Nm of torque and came in at just over 1 000 kg on the scales.
Nothing wrong with these numbers, the 0 to 100 km/h sprint was done in 9.6sec, the quarter mile in 16.94sec, the 1km at 167km/h and the top speed came in at 191km/h. Fast forward to 2019 and welcome to the K14C Boosterjet era for Suzuki.
The smaller capacity 1.4-litre turbocharged engine produces only 3kW more power at 103kW, but way more importantly, a full 70Nm of torque more at 230Nm. The power to weight ratio is now above that sought after 100kW per tonne mark, thanks to the new car being lighter than the previous model at 995kg for the auto and 970kg for the manual.
And as much as the purists will whine about the loss of the high revving naturally aspirated model, this turbocharged offering is so much better on an everyday basis and against the clock in outright performance terms. We had both the automatic – yes you can get a Swift Sport now with a smooth easy shifting automatic transmission – and the manual on test.
You would think though the two derivatives would feel basically the same in power delivery and drive terms, but they don’t. They feel quite different to be honest. The automatic is the more chilled of the two on the move, and manual always feels a bit more manic.
The gearing on the automatic is longer and this results in a more relaxed lower revving experience out on the open road. But this doesn’t mean the automatic is slow or unresponsive, in fact it is quicker off the line compared to the manual. I actually think this is the better choice of the two if you are not into hitting gymkhanas like Ken Block every weekend.
But if you do enjoy your motoring experience a little more on the Gearbox: ........................................... Engine: ............................................... Power: ............................................... Torque: .............................................. Licensing Mass: .............................. Power to Weight: ............................ Power to Capacity: ........................ 0-100km/h: ...................................... 1/4 Mile (402.34m): ........................ 1/2 Mile (804.68m): ........................ 1km (1 000 m): .................................. 60-100km/h: ................................... 80-120km/h: .................................... 60-140km/h: .................................... True Top Speed: ......... 206.41km/h Fuel Consumption: ......................... Fuel Tank Size: ................................. Fuel Range: ....................................... CO2 Emissions: ............................... Vehicle Odometer: ......................... Test Temperature: ......................... Tyres Size: ........................................ Tyres Make: ...................................... Warranty: ......................................... Service Plan: .................................... Priced From: .................................... Test Date: .......................................... For more information and the lates