The Suzuki Swift Sport is one of the best junior hot hatches currently on the market, so the announcement of a new Suzuki Swift is something to take interest in.
Sadly there’s no official mention of a Sport model yet, with the press release just concerned about the mainstream models, but there are a few points of interest that suggest that a new Swift Sport could be better than ever.
Design-wise the Mk3 Swift is a subtle evolution of the current model, but under the skin there are more significant changes. For a start the body shell is made of higher strength steel which allows it be both lighter and stiffer. At the very least that will benefit handling, but if the weight-saving ethos is carried through to the rest of the car then performance and economy will also be improved. The new model has a wider track and longer wheelbase, so should feel more stable at speed and through the corners.
At launch there will be one engine choice, a new 1.2-litre petrol engine that uses dual VVT (variable intake and exhaust valve timing) to produce 94PS at 6,000rpm, slightly more than the outgoing 1.3-litre unit. Torque is also up to 118Nm at 4,800rpm. As you’d expect economy is up (56.5mpg) while emissions are down.
There will also be a 1.3-litre diesel engine due in early 2011. Surprisingly Suzuki aren’t declaring the power output of this engine (not a lot then), only that it offers 67.3mpg and much lower emissions. Sounds like a hot diesel model is out of the question!
The new Suzuki Swift is due for release in the autumn, so lets keep our fingers crossed and hope that we don’t have to wait too long to see the next Swift Sport.
