Suzuki Auto South Africa has some exciting news for local petrolheads. The Suzuki Swift Sport is on its way to SA – a car that’s loved overseas for its great handling and build quality.
The Suzuki Swift Sport retains the key Swift attributes of quality, efficient packaging and value for money, but adds some ‘bang for your buck’, thanks to a significant increase in power and a series of chassis enhancements.
The little hot-hatch also debuts in the three-door Swift body shape, adding to its exclusivity within the Swift range. However, the three-door shape isn’t the only reason why the Suzuki Swift Sport looks the pocket rocket part. Viewed from the front, the deeper front bumper features large air intakes and fog lamps on either side. Lower side skirts and flared wheel arches visually link the 17-inch alloy wheels. A rear bumper with meshed rear apron and twin exhaust pipes provide further visual confirmation that this is no ordinary Swift, while revised tail lights and a roof spoiler add to the car’s sporty presence.
Inside, sculpted sport seats with raised bolsters are upholstered in a combination of red and black fabric. A thick-rimmed, leather trimmed sports steering wheel provides the connection to the Swift Sport’s dynamic traits, while the stubby gearshift lever promises short, fast shifts. Stainless steel pedals with rubber inserts continue the performance theme. The Sport also features red accents integrated into the door panel armrests, as well as red stitching on the seats and the steering wheel. Aluminium-look finishes and chromed door handles add further visual lustre.
Under the skin is where Suzuki engineers have made numerous tweaks to the chassis, which has been uprated to match the Sport’s additional muscle. Spring rates and damper settings have been modified to provide greater stiffness and control, while special Monroe gas-filled shock absorbers are specific to the Sport. The electric power steering system has been recalibrated to provide improved feel and feedback.
At the heart of the Swift’s transformation into a feisty hatchback is a 1,6-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. The engine features VVT (variable valve timing) and has a maximum power output of 92 kW at 6 800 r/min and offers peak torque of 148 N.m at 4 800 r/min. As a result, the Swift Sport accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 8,9 seconds and is credited with a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
Drive is to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Standard ESP electronic stability control ensures that the power is fed to the wheels as efficiently as possible. The all-disc braking system, utilising vented front and solid rear discs, is equipped with ABS, EBD and EBA to ensure that the Sport’s considerable urge is coupled with capable stopping power.
Despite its appetite for performance, the Swift Sport retains the model range’s reputation for fuel efficiency. Combined-cycle fuel consumption comes to 7,0 l/100km. The Swift Sport has a CO2 exhaust emissions rating of 165 g/km.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport reaches local showrooms in July at a recommended retail price of R199 900, including metallic paint. The price includes Suzuki’s 4-year/60 000 km service plan, and a 3-year/100 000 km warranty. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.
