All-new Suzuki Swift arrives in UK

The all-new Suzuki Swift will go on sale in the UK this week sporting the cleanest petrol engine in its class. Tallying just 116g/km of CO2, the Swift's 1.2-litre dual VVT equipped four-cylinder already exceeds strict upcoming Euro V emissions regulations.

With evolutionary styling, the new Swift may look similar to the superseded model but is in fact completely redesigned, growing 90mm in length, 50mm in wheelbase and 10mm in height.

Further, Swift scores a five-star European NCAP safety rating across the three-grade model range, thanks to greater impact safety plus seven airbags and stability control as standard.

Enty-level Swift SZ2 (as it will be known in the UK) will feature front power windows, remote central locking, power and heated wing mirrors and an MP3/WMA compatible single-CD tuner with steering wheel-mounted remote controls.

Mid-spec SZ3 models add (manual) air-conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels, while the top-of-the-range SZ4 grade includes climate control, Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming capability, power windows (front and rear), rear privacy glass, push-button start, dusk-sensing headlamps and cruise control.

Suzuki says the new model is significantly better in terms of driveability, its sportier handling a "clear reflection of Suzuki's desire to offer a sports compact that is perfectly suited to the lifestyles and demands of today".

Fitting of its modest dimensions, the new Swift offers a choice of low capacity petrol or diesel powerplants for even more frugal fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions, while still offering zippy performance.

A 1.2-litre four-cylinder offering leads the way for the petrol team, dual variable valve timing offering more power and torque (69kW/118Nm). The engine also meets strict new Euro V emissions targets, the combined CO2 figure now 116g/km, a 17 per cent improvement over the current 1.3-litre unit.

Mated to a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, Swift's fuel consumption has also been trimmed to 5.0L/100km, a 0.8L/100km improvement. 

A revised 1.3-litre diesel engine will join its petrol sibling in the second quarter of 2011 emitting just 109g/km (down from 119g/km) and returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.2L/100km. Output figures will be announced closer to launch.

At this stage it is not clear whether either engine (or which model grades) will make it into the Australian line-up.

Inside, the new Swift boasts a more dynamic feel, featuring black as its keynote colour with accents of silver throughout the car. While on the outside, Swift is available in nine paint colours, seven of which are metallic.

In the UK, new Swift is priced from £9,995 to £12,245.

Local pricing will be announced closer to Swift's Australian launch which will occur sometime in the first-half of next year.

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