Mild-hybrid 2024 Suzuki Swift confirmed for Oz

Suzuki Australia has indirectly confirmed the fourth-generation 2024 Suzuki Swift hatch will be sold here exclusively with mild-hybrid (MHEV) technology when it’s released next month.

The 2024 Suzuki Swift received Australian Design Rule certification in February, when its homologation data revealed an official output of 61kW from its 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine – 5kW less than the outgoing model’s 1.2-litre four-cylinder mill – but there was no reference to any electrification hardware.

The Japanese brand subsequently issued invitations to the national media launch of the ‘all-new Swift Hybrid’, confirming the new-generation light car is indeed headed Down Under with the next-generation fuel-saving tech as standard.

This was the default set-up back when the new Swift was officially revealed in November last year, but a non-electrified version of the same triple-cylinder engine is being offered in Japan alongside the MHEV powertrain.

According to JDM figures, the base engine consumes 4.2L/100km when paired with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the MHEV version uses 4.1L/100km.

That’s hardly a big difference, but the MHEV system should also bring more tractable performance due to its slight increase in torque.

Focus on the urban fuel consumption test cycle, however, and the margin grows to 0.7L/100km, with the JDM-spec petrol variant returning a claimed 5.5L/100km versus the MHEV’s 4.8.

Peak torque for the Mk4 Swift’s new MHEV engine is listed at 108Nm in Japan, which is also down on the outgoing model that offers 120Nm.

However, however the integrated MHEV starter/generator will likely make-up the deficit – especially in stop-start traffic.

So the new Swift should bring tangible performance and efficiency gains, at least around town where most examples will spend most of their time.

Transmission choices, meantime, comprise a five-speed manual and the aforementioned CVT, both of which have been approved for Australia, but we won’t be offered the option of all-wheel drive as in other markets.

Pricing for the new Swift will be announced before or at its official launch on June 5, but it’s safe to expect an increase over the current model’s $25,990 drive-away starting price.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au