High Tech Features a Boost For New Generation Suzuki Swift

New Zealand’s favourite compact car for more than a decade has been made even better with the arrival of an all new generation model boasting a host of the latest technology.

Roomier, more efficient and more refined, the latest Suzuki Swift boasts crisp styling and flair plus improved specifications that are likely to ensure the car follows in the successful wheel tracks of its predecessor.

The new Swift is offered with several advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, a first for a Suzuki model sold in New Zealand. It is also the first Suzuki model anywhere in the world to have a dual sensor brake support system. Automatic headlamp leveling and other driver assistance systems such as a forward detection system are also offered on higher grade versions.

Standard equipment on GLX and RS versions of new Swift, the forward detection system uses state of the art monocular camera, laser sensor and millimetre wave radar, and detects pedestrians and other obstacles. The laser sensor is used for short distances and at night, warning of potential collisions and acting in several ways to prevent it.

Adaptive cruise control uses the wave radar to automatically maintain a safe following distance, depending on the setting and vehicle speed. Lane departure warning operates at 60 km/h or more, and warns of weaving that could be the result of driver fatigue.

High beam assistance at speeds in excess of 40 km/h automatically activates the headlights between high and low beams depending on the presence of other vehicles and the lighting environment. Integrated daylight running lights are another safety feature.

Built on a new, highly rigid platform and powered by the choice of two fresh engines, including a turbocharged option for the first time, the Swift manages to inherit the styling cues that made the previous two generation models so popular. Remarkably, while the new car is 10mm shorter than the outgoing model, there is more interior space and a larger boot by 32 litres.

Significant weight saving measures and more advanced engines improve both performance and fuel economy. The styling is a natural progression of the earlier model that earned the car so much appeal while the specification is more advanced and comprehensive than before.

Immediately recognisable by restyling of the front end with a bold u-shaped grille, the new Swift has enhanced carry-over elements, including strong shoulders, black A-pillars and vertically arranged front and rear lights. Resolute efforts were made so that the latest Swift would inherit the model’s characteristic styling and these elements were transformed to advance the general appearance of the car.

Suzuki engineers resisted the temptation to increase the body dimensions and the overall length of 3,840mm is 10mm shooter than the outgoing Swift. However, the wheelbase measures 20mm more to 2,450mm, and body width increases by 40mm, all in the interest of improving cabin space. New Zealand specification Swifts are wider than those built for the Japanese domestic market.

The new Swift body is also 15mm lower while the cabin hip point is lowered 20mm at the front and 45mm at the rear, further increasing headroom. The front seats have been moved outwards by 10mm which has increased the centre-on-centre distance between them by 20mm.

Overall weight of the new model has been reduced by a remarkable 13 per cent, with the entry-level version tipping the scales at 870 kg, compared to 1,005 kg for its predecessor. This makes the new Swift one of the lightest cars in its class.

Some of the weight saving is the result of Suzuki’s Heartect lightweight platform, a highly rigid base with fewer joints. No less than 41 per cent of this platform is made from special high-tensile steel, allowing a reduction in reinforcements which dramatically reduces weight. During development, Suzuki engineers completed a comprehensive overhaul of the underbody’s structure and component layout, resulting in the adoption of the strong frame that enhances collision safety. Six airbags are standard and the car also comes with ESP and anti-lock braking with EBD.

There is a muscular and well-grounded look and black pillars create the appearance of a floating roof. High positioning of the rear door handles in the “C” pillars add style and character to the car’s profile.

“New Swift inherits much of its predecessor’s crisp appearance, yet builds on these strengths with extra muscle around the lower areas of the doors and around the wheel arches, offering more style than rivals,” said Gary Collins, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. “Under the skin, however, it is all change, particularly in terms of technology and efficiency.”

GL and GLX grades are powered by Suzuki’s 1,242cm3 K12C four cylinder engine, producing 66 kW of power at 6,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. This multi-point fuel injected power unit has dual injectors for each cylinder which increases thermal efficiency. The fuel injectors are located close to the engine inlet valves to give a finer fuel atomisation. Increased power and better fuel economy results from a water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation system and a more compact combustion chamber.

The RS Swift benefits from the brand new K10C BoosterJet direct injection engine that develops a lusty 82 kW at 5,500 rpm and 160 Nm of torque from as low as 1500 rpm. The power and torque output of this turbocharged 998cm3 engine is similar to a naturally aspirated 1,800cm3 size power train. The compact four valves per cylinder BoosterJet uses a small turbo with, in effect, an over-boost function, allowing it to be both economical and responsive. Further efficiencies are realised by the short port intake manifold and the exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head.

The K10C is a three cylinder version of the larger capacity four cylinder BoosterJet power train found in the Vitara Turbo model already available in New Zealand. Engine vibrations are reduced by purposefully unbalancing the crankshaft counterweights, turning side-to-side vibrations into vertical ones.

Refined at low revs, the 1.0 litre BoosterJet is a real gem, with noise at idle being almost imperceptible. Flexible and lively, the motor remains quiet even when working hard, and drivers have the choice of over-riding the automatic by using the steering column paddle controls for manual selection.

In conjunction with the six-stage automatic transmission, this motor returns a thrifty 5.1 litres/100 km in the combined fuel economy cycle, and emits 119 g/km of CO2 emissions. By contrast, the 1.2 litre VVT achieves 4.6 litres/100 km with the 5-speed manual gearbox and 4.8 litres/100 km with the continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission.

MacPherson strut and coil spring suspension has been further refined and the RS has four wheel disc brakes, ventilated up front, and 16-inch polished aluminium alloy wheels with 185/55 size tyres. The GLX also features 16-inch alloy wheels while the GL Swift comes with 15-inch steel wheels and front disc/rear drum braking.

A more compact engine compartment results from the latest generation platform, freeing up more space in the cabin and adding 15 percent more boot capacity which increases by 32 litres to 242 litres. Lowering the seating positions has assisted in the more spacious interior, with an additional 23mm of vertical and lateral space for those seating in the rear. The front seats have been moved outwards by 10mm which has increased the centre-on-centre distance between them by 20mm.

“That the new Swifts for our market are wider than those for the Japanese domestic market gives us a good point of difference from used imports,” said Gary Collins. New Zealand specification Swifts also have wider front and rear wheel tracks than the Japanese domestic models.

Front seat shaping has been optimised with improvements to springing and heightened side bolsters, and the driver’s seat has a convenient height adjuster.

A completely redesigned facia embodies clear circular instruments and totally revised ventilation controls, while there is colour trim enhancements for the armrests and on the dashboard. The dashboard inherits some of the personalization ability from the latest Suzuki Vitara. No fewer than seven drink holders are provided.

Four versions are in the New Zealand lineup and all are built in Japan. The range starts with the entry level GL manual at a keenly competitive price of $19,990 or $21,990 with CVT automatic transmission. The CVT automatic GLX model is $24,500, while the RS with six-speed automatic transmission is $25,990. These are recommended retail prices and exclude on road costs.

All new Swifts have a three-spoke leather covered, flat-bottomed steering wheel with integral controls to operate the audio, cruise control, speed limiter and hands-free phone facility. The GL manual offers a MP3/WMA compatible CD player with Bluetooth. All the automatic versions feature a 7-inch touchscreen with SatNav, reverse camera, and smartphone connectivity. Apple CarPlay allows phone calls, access to music, sending and receiving of messages and gives directions all by voice command, or via tap-on the audio display.

Both the GLX and RS models have Dual Sensor Brake Support, lane departure and sway warning, and adaptive cruise control. Both the GLX and RS offer fog lamps, while the highly specified RS version adds LED projector headlights, electric fold-in door mirrors, keyless start and door entry, auto headlights with high beam assist, climate control air conditioning, and six speaker audio system.

“We are delighted Suzuki has followed the award-winning form of the previous Swift while coming up with a roomier, more advanced successor that continues the brand’s value for money philosophy,” said Gary Collins.