Suzuki confirms Swift Sport for Oz

Suzuki has officially announced what always seemed to be a dead-set certainty – the new generation of Swift light hatch will be joined by a Sport variant.

Unlike the current Swift Sport, the new model will be powered by a 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbocharged four-cylinder engine, as we revealed during our coverage of the Frankfurt motor show last month. Peak power is 103kW, just 3kW more than the current car's, but torque is lifted to 230Nm – a substantial 70Nm increase in a car that's lighter and is claimed will weigh 970kg.

So engine output will up to the job – and local buyers will be offered the choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions.

“It’s lighter, sharper, and quicker. It’s more aggressive and emotive, but we’ve also refined the elements that make it practical to use every day,” Suzuki's Chief Engineer, Masao Kobori was quoted saying in a press release.

“With the third generation we’ve moved the game on to the next level as a genuine hot hatch. And I’m confident that when you drive it you’re going to go ‘WOW!’.”

Suzuki Australia is revealing little else about the new Swift Sport, but admits that it is scheduled to launch locally during the first quarter of 2018. Pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to launch, the importer says.