Suzuki has upped the ante in the sporty hot hatch segment with this, the Suzuki Swift R Concept. It’s said to take personality and design cues from the range of Suzuki GSX-R supersport motorbikes.

The current Suzuki Swift is starting to look a little dated since it was launched in 2004. This concept is Suzuki’s way of reminding us that it knows a thing or two when it comes to the hot hatch segment. The Swift has always been one of the, if not the most driver-oriented hatches in the segment and the latest Swift R Concept looks like it’ll have no trouble reinforcing that.

The new concept features all the right enhancements, enough to whet appetites far and wide in the world of driving enthusiasts. Lowered and hunkered-down sports suspension, as well as a fatter track and sprouted camber settings compared to the Sport variant, the car looks like it’d be a hoot around any track or strip of road.

Under the bonnet is said to exhibit considerable upgrades although Suzuki hasn’t confirmed any definite details. Speculators say the car will get a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, outputting up to 134 kW. But it’s not outright power that is the key here, it’s light weight agility that will make this R Concept excellent fun.

The exterior features a number of enhancements over the current lineup too, including a bespoke ‘R’ bodykit said to mimic fairing designs seen on the GSX-R1000 motorbike.

Pricing and production details are yet to be confirmed. Suzuki has said it will unveil the car at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2011.