New Swift Sport world debut
09/13/2011
Suzuki
The sporty, exciting new Swift Sport is the highlight of the Suzuki line up at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.
The Swift Sport offers higher levels of running, turning and braking performance than the standard Swift on which it's based; it's the performance flagship of the Swift series. It went into production in Japan in 2005 and in Hungary in 2006. The sporting experience and everyday practicality have earned devoted fans in approximately 40 countries and territories around the world.
The new Swift Sport has the same DNA as its predecessor, but reflects the concept of developing a refined sport compact from the new Swift, which Suzuki launched in 2010. Befitting its status as the new performance flagship of the Swift series, it reflects the pursuit of even better handling, driving performance, and environmental compatibility and an uncompromising focus on quality. Overall, it offers an incomparably rewarding experience of Suzuki's sporting DNA.
Suzuki plans to launch the new Swift Sport in a growing number of countries, beginning this October.
Design
- An aggressive and dignified look
- Aero parts combining functionality with style
- A sporty and refined interior environment
Exterior [An aggressive and dignified design]
The new Swift Sport's exterior design reflects the model's evolution toward a more aggressive and dignified look. The ground-hugging form gives a sense of stability and tension, the large front grille hints at the performance held within and is flanked by big, distinctive finned fog lamp bezels that add an even more aggressive, dignified character.
Aerodynamic parts exclusive to the new Swift Sport control the airflow, suppress lift and give the car a lower centre of gravity visually. Newly developed high-intensity discharge headlamps with a metallic-grey coating and newly developed rear combination lamps with a cylindrical design heighten the sense of dynamism expressed by the exterior design even further.
Interior [Sporty and refined]
Sporty, exclusive design features in the new Swift Sport's cabin heighten the driving pleasure and a high-quality look and feel and generates pleasure of ownership. A five-dial meter cluster combines easy legibility with an uncluttered look. Soft leather on the steering wheel allows a natural-feeling grip for easy operation and a sense of refinement.
The front seats do not just offer greater support, but also exclusive fabrics and stitching that heighten excitement about the driving experience.
Dimensions [Compact for nimbleness]
The new Swift Sport's strong presence belies compact dimensions that make it exceptionally nimble. Wide treads and a short wheelbase (key characteristics of the Swift series) combine with chassis systems that include an exclusively designed rear suspension to ensure brisk handling and outstanding high-speed stability. The new Swift Sport has an overall length of 3,890mm, an overall width of 1,695mm, an overall height of 1,510mm, and a wheelbase of 2,430mm.
Key dimensions (mm)
New Swift Sport
Overall length 3,890
Overall width 1,695
Overall height 1,510
Wheelbase 2,430
Treads:
Front 1,470
Rear 1,475
Performance
- Exclusively tuned handling for the Swift Sport
- Swift Sport-exclusive M16A engine offering more power and fuel economy
- Specially designed six-speed manual transmission
Handling [Exclusively tuned chassis for the Swift Sport]
Since the new Swift Sport is the performance flagship of the Swift series, Suzuki pursued higher levels of chassis performance, achieving an exceptional balance of controllability and stability.
Greater toe and camber rigidity in the torsion beam, greater lateral rigidity in the torsion-beam bushings, and larger rear wheel bearings pursue stability at the rear at the high-speed range. Increased spring constants for the front and rear coil springs and added rebound springs in the front struts significantly contribute to stability by realizing greater roll stiffness. An added steering-gearbox member, an added suspension-frame member, and larger front wheel bearings boost yaw response, and the handling has evolved from that of the previous Swift Sport.
Engine [A near-class-topping* 100kW of power]
The new Swift Sport's M16A engine is based on that of the previous model. Thanks to addition of a variable intake system, optimization of the intake VVT and increased valve lift, maximum output is up from 92kW in the previous Swift Sport to a near-class-topping 100kW* with the new model. Maximum torque is up from 148N-m to 160N-m. As a result, the driver can enjoy superb performance across the rev range. The engine's high output is combined with great fuel economy; CO2 emissions are down from 165g/km to 147g/km (about 11%) and a revised muffler structure yields a sportier exhaust note.
*Based on Suzuki's research on 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engines in August 2011
Key performance data
New Swift Sport Previous Swift Sport
Maximum output 100kW/6,900rpm 92kW/6,800rpm
Maximum torque 160N-m/4,400rpm 148N-m/4,800rpm
Fuel consumption* 6.4L/100km 7.0L/100km
CO2 emissions* 147g/km 165g/km
*The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions shown above are combined figures based on the new Swift Sport (Euro 5 standard formula for a vehicle with two-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission) and previous Swift Sport (Euro 4 standard formula for a vehicle with two-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission).
Transmission [Designed for sporty, fuel-efficient driving]
The new Swift Sport's six-speed manual transmission was developed specifically to take full advantage of the M16A engine's performance. The use of six gears (up from five in the previous Swift Sport) allows sporty driving combined with fuel economy. A triple-cone synchronizer for the first and second gears permits lower shift effort. And a larger counterweight at the transmission end of the shift lever yields a sporty shift action that feels lighter and more positive.
Wheels and tyres [Exclusive 17-inch designs]
Exclusive 17-inch aluminium-alloy wheels are standard on the new Swift Sport. They have a sharp, exquisite design and are produced in such a way that they are each about 1kg lighter than those of the previous Swift Sport. The tyres (195/45R17) were also developed specially for the new Swift Sport. They promote controllability and stability.
Safety [Newly evolved protection]
- Comprehensive range of safety equipment
- Seven airbags as standard equipment
- ESP(R) (Electronic Stability Program) as standard equipment
The new Swift Sport represents an evolution in terms of safety. Comprehensive safety technologies mean it offers the same control and peace of mind as the new Swift, which earned a five-star rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme.
Passive safety measures include a body based on Suzuki's Total Effective Control Technology, which ensures that it efficiently absorbs and disperses impact forces.
Extensive use of high-tensile steel and computerised structural analysis keep the body light while promoting safety, There are seven airbags (including curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag), and the pillars incorporate shock-absorbing materials that soften any contact with occupants' heads.
Suzuki took a multifaceted approach to achieve higher levels of active safety. As a result, ESP(R)* and an antilock braking system with electronic braking-force distribution are standard equipment.
ESP(R)
Suzuki took a multifaceted approach to achieve higher levels of active safety. As a result, the new Swift Sport has ESP(R)* (Electronic Stability Program) to help maintain greater stability and controllability on diverse road surfaces.
*Note: ESP is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.
Airbags
The most notable advance in terms of passive safety in the new Swift Sport is that all grades have seven airbags (front, side, curtain, and knee airbags) as standard equipment.