Suzuki reveals 2017 Swift

Suzuki has officially revealed its all-new replacement for the Swift hatch ahead of its launch in Japan on January 4 2017.

All-new from the ground up, the Japanese car-maker has confirmed its small hatch is now based on its new 'HEARTECT' platform that also underpins the recently launched Baleno.

Measuring in at 3840mm long, standing 1510mm tall and 1695mm wide, the new Swift is 10mm shorter than the current car but the same width and height.

A 20mm longer wheelbase, meanwhile, should improve interior space.

Bootspace, at 265 litres, remains modest but can be extended to 579 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Thanks to the lightweight platform, the lightest Swift weighs in at just 910kg with even the heaviest all-wheel drive Allgrip tipping the scales at 970kg.

Already leaked twice online ahead of last night's unveiling, it's clear the next-gen Swift borrows its design cues from the last model but is far curvier than the current model that was introduced back in 2004.

Both a three-door (pictured) and a five-door will be offered.

Under the bonnet Suzuki has confirmed, for the Japanese market at least, it will offer a 67kW/118Nm 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol and a more powerful 74kW/149Nm 1.2-litre mild hybrid.

According to the brochure leaked earlier in the month the new 1.2-litre mild-hybrid will average 3.7L/100km while the 1.0-litre Boosterjet (turbo-petrol) will return 5.0L/100km.

An updated 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol engine, that's claimed to be more efficient than before, will also be offered.

In Japan, most buyers will opt for the 1.0-litre Boosterjet direct-injection turbo petrol that's combined with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Later on, in 2017, a faster Swift Sport will join the line-up. Not yet confirmed by the Japanese car maker, the Sport is likely to be powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, the flagship small hatch should produce at least 105kW.

Thanks to more torque, the Swift Sport should reach 100km/h in less than 7.5sec.

Inside, the Suzuki comes with a centrally-mounted touchscreen infotainment system that incorporates both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Suzuki has confirmed its new small hatch will also be offered with new safety tech previously not available on the Swift. New features like LED lamps, autonomous emergency braking and high beam assist join the range.

Active cruise control will also be optional.

Suzuki says it sold 5.3 million of the previous generation Swift and the new car should be equally popular.

The car we get Down Under will be launched later in March at the Geneva motor show.

Expected to arrive in Australia toward the end of the third quarter of 2017, the Swift is expected to become a big seller for the car-maker thanks to high equipment levels and keen pricing.

Suzuki also plans to offer greater levels of personalisation packages than ever before, allowing customers to customise their car's interior and exterior.