Clever design and engineering improvements keep the new fifth generation Suzuki Swift ahead of the competition.
“The new K14B twin overhead camshaft engine is much lighter, more fuel efficient, cleaner and has lower internal friction than the outgoing M15A engine that powered the previous Swift,” said Rodney Brown, technical services manager for Suzuki New Zealand.
‘The engine has been built with a longer stroke to bore ratio which improves the useable torque,” he said.
“Suzuki has also introduced an electronic throttle along with clever engine management to enable the motor to run 91 octane petrol with a higher compression ratio than the M15A. This gives an increase in power per cubic capacity.”
The 1,372cm3 K14B operates on a compression ratio of 10.0 to 1 compared to 9.5 to 1 for the M15A engine. Maximum torque of 130 Nm is down by only 3Nms on the older power unit.
Previously only available on the Swift Sport model, the electronic throttle control eliminates the mechanical link between the accelerator and throttle body.
A computerised control system ensures improved engine management control for better fuel economy and smoother idling.
The new Swift engine has multi-point fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing for increased efficiency.
It produces 70 kW of power at 6,000 rpm against 75 kW for the previous Swift but the emphasis on low and mid-range performance makes the new power train more user friendly.
A new plastic intake manifold allows greater freedom than conventional aluminium. Not only is intake efficiency improved but also the plastic has better heat insulating qualities.
Intake air is cooler and more intake air at lower temperatures means greater power and better response.
The exhaust manifold passages are fitted with a cover that helps prevent exhaust gases from cooling before they reach the catalyser. This helps ensure quicker catalyser warm-up and minimises emissions.
Compared to the previous Swift, the new engine produces 12 per cent lower CO2 emissions in manual transmission form and 10.4 per cent less in automatic transmission guise.
CO2 emissions fall from 147 grams/km to 132 grams/km for the manual, and from 164 grams/km to 150 grams/km for the auto.
Rising fuel prices are increasing the emphasis on fuel consumption, and new Swift delivers in this area. In the official combined fuel cycle, the 5-speed manual transmission model is 14.7 per cent more economical, improving from 6.3 litres/100 km (44.8 miles per gallon) to 5.5 litres/100 km (51.4 mpg).
The automatic version is 8.1 per cent more fuel efficient with a fuel cycle figure of 6.2 litres/100 km (45.6 mpg) compared to 6.7 litres/100 km (42.2 mpg) for the older car.
Structural measures have increased overall refinement of the Suzuki. An aluminium oil pan strengthens the bottom of the engine and also suppresses vibration and noise.
A joint between the engine and transmission maximises rigidity and in conjunction with the aluminium oil pan, minimises engine noise and suppresses resonance.
To reduce servicing costs, the new Swift engine, like those in the Alto, SX4, Kizashi, Jimny and Grand Vitara models, employ chain drives for the overhead camshafts rather than belts.
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