Suzuki Swift In Paris
Suzuki’s global marketing plan is quite confusing when it comes down to its international product, the Swift. In Japan, the Swift is a Kei vehicle based off the Wagon R – it’s a sort of supercompact designed to be very affordable as it falls within the lowest tax bracket. To Europeans, the Swift is a Hungarian-built three and five-door hatchback which we remember as the first generation Geo Metro/Chevrolet Sprint/Pontiac Firefly and second generation Subaru Justy.
In North America, the Swift has yet another identity – it’s not even a Suzuki-designed product. As a part of General Motor’s plan, Suzuki adopted the Daewoo-designed Kalos, making our Swift+ a rebadged Chevrolet Aveo/Pontiac Wave. But for the Aerio and SUVs, Suzuki’s car range consists of the cloned Chevy Optra and Epica, which were also developed by Daewoo. Amidst all the confusion (which we hope is now sorted out) Suzuki intends to unify at least two of its three markets with a brand NEW Swift, based around the showstopping Concept S and Concept S2 of years past.
The new Swift measures in at 3.69 meters long, 1.69 meters wide and 1.50 meters high riding on a 2.39 meter wheelbase, which is a fair bit shorter than North America’s 3.88 meter long Swift+. Very little has changed from the Concept S and S2 bodystyle, but for a reduction of the visual extras: spoilers, bodykits and ground effects have all been kept to a minimum. Unlike the showcar’s 18 inch wheels, smaller 14 inch wheels will be used instead, but this doesn’t detract from the cheerful appearance; the car is available in a sporty three-door hatchback, or a more family-friendly five-door version.
Unlike the flimsy-looking Swifts of the past, the 2005 model looks sharp, well-built and robust. While photos don’t do justice to being present, we must say that the Swift is an improvement. The cockpit is simple, highlighted by a sporty-three spoke steering wheel and silver-ringed instrumentation. Uniquely, the stereo’s headunit is mounted flush with the angled dashboard to create an integrated hi-fi look, something you normally wouldn’t associate with Suzuki. An information display system, located at the windshield’s base reduces dashboard clutter is an unexpected new addition.
To go along with the new look are new motors - Suzuki has three, small, low-powered engines planned for their newcomer, designed with economy in mind. Entry level vehicles receive a 1.3 liter 91 horsepower motor backed by 84 lb-ft of torque. Optional to midrange models and standard on top-of-the-line vehicles is a 1.5 liter 102 horsepower motor, which also makes 98 lb-ft of torque. The third engine choice is a diesel – the first for a Suzuki car. Credit should be given to Fiat for the design of the excellent 1.3 liter Multijet JTD which has seen great success in Fiat’s own Punto. It’s probably the best choice too, making 70 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of tractable torque. The sole transmission option for the diesel is the five-speed manual.
Like the old model, Suzuki has chosen to build the new Swift in the Magyar plant in Hungary, but Japanese models will be built on home turf. Given that there is currently a Swift+ on the market, we wouldn’t put it beyond Suzuki to import the smaller, but more interesting Swift. When it goes on sale in Europe next March, the vehicle is expected to have a price tag of between 10,500 and 11,000 ($16,500 - $17,000 CAD, $12,800 - $13,400 USD) a fair value considering the standard equipment and technology. If sold here the Swift would become Suzuki’s smallest vehicle, slotting in right under the Swift+.
