Suzuki lands pricier new Swift Sport
It’s $1000 dearer than before, but Suzuki says its lighter, faster, safer Swift Sport is also better valueThe all-new Suzuki Swift Sport has landed in Australia fresh from its Frankfurt motor show debut.
Priced from $25,490 (plus on-road costs) in manual form, the pint-size hot hatch arrives $1000 dearer than the outgoing model, with automatic variants now retailing for $27,490 plus ORCs.
The price jump places the latest Swift Sport in close proximity to the Ford Fiesta ST ($27,490) and soon-to-be-replaced Volkswagen Polo GTI ($27,690), and swimming distance from the sizzling new Renault Clio RS ($30,990).
But with a lighter frame (970kg) and effervescent 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine, it’s a juxtaposition Suzuki says it’s more than comfortable with.
In fact, it believes it will sell in excess of 1500 Swift Sports annually.
“Based on our volume expectations, and what we’ve forecast, we’re still the cheapest car in that segment,” said Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia general manager of automobiles.
“I think we’ve got a good opportunity to maintain, or even exceed that kind of volume based on the price point it’s at, and I think we’re still the best value for money car in the segment.
“The advancement of this vehicle in terms of its technology, performance, and what it has to offer at the price point – based on some of those other competitors in the segment – I think we definitely have an opportunity to build our brand image, and take it to an aspirational image,” he suggested.
Powered by a 103kW/230Nm direct-injected and turbocharged BOOSTERJET 1.4-litre petrol four, the Suzuki Swift Sport promises gains of 3kW/70Nm over the predecessor’s 1.6-litre atmo unit.
At 7.2sec it’s also 1.5sec quicker to 100km/h, and 0.4L/100km more fuel efficient – now 6.1L/100km for either transmission.
Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, the latter replacing the outgoing Sport’s continuously variable unit.
The larger Swift Sport rides on Suzuki’s more-rigid HEARTECH platform – which it shares with the new Baleno – is suspended by strut front/torsion beam rear suspension, and halted by four-wheel disc brakes.
Key equipment items include 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, an Android Auto/Apple CarPlay-equipped 7.0-inch touch-screen audio system, automatic LED headlights, fabric seats and a D-shaped leather-bound steering wheel. Alloy pedal facings are standard, as is a sporty red-lit, twin-dial instrument panel.
The Sport is visually differentiated by a staggered, honeycomb grille design with carbon-fibre-style embossing (which is repeated on the front lip spoiler, side skirts and rear diffuser), dual exhaust outlets, and model-specific bumper covers.
The blacked-out A-pillars and vertically-stacked front and rear tail-lights are carried over from the standard range.
Safety kit extends to six airbags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, autonomous emergency braking, daytime running lights, high-beam assist, lane departure and weaving alert (60-160km/h), tyre pressure monitoring, and stability control.
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