Motoring

Wait no more: Suzuki puts sticker price on new Swift

Having made its high profile South African market debut at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring at the end of August, Suzuki has finally announced official pricing of the new Swift.

Set to go-on sale in October, the fourth generation Swift again comes way of Suzuki’s Maruti division in India, whereas the Sport, now modelled on the third generation, originates from Japan and remains to be succeeded by a new variant.

New engine less a cylinder

As previewed last month, the Swift adopts an evolutionary design, but gains a new engine that omits the mild-hybrid hardware offered in Japan and Europe as a result of costs and comparatively minor gains in fuel consumption had it been fitted.

ALSO READ: Wrapped-up no more as Suzuki finally reveals all-new Swift

Replacing the outgoing A2L model’s 1.2-litre K12M engine, the internally named AOL Swift receives Suzuki’s new Z12E unit that still displaces 1.2-litres, but loses a cylinder for a total of three.

*_{As with the front, the Swift’s rear facia is more evolutionarily than revolutionary. Image: Suzuki}*

Unsurprisingly, outputs are lower, but by a single kilowatt and one Newton Meter for a total of 60kW/112Nm. Claimed consumption is 4.4 L/100 km from the previous low of 4.9 L/100 km.

While still matched to a five-speed manual gearbox, a new CVT replaces the five-speed automated (AMT) as the option on all but the base derivative that remains a manual-only affair.

Spec and tech

On the specification front, all Swifts come standard with folding electric mirrors and rear parking sensors, a digital display for the climate control, LED taillights, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display, all-round electric windows and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.

Taking care of safety are six airbags, Hill Hold Assist, Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Programme.

In addition, a 60/40 split rear seat is also included with claimed boot space being 265 litres with the rears unfolded.

On the model front, the GL becomes the base model in place of the now departed GA. Items included are 14-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, projector-type halogen headlights and colour-coded bumpers, mirror caps and door handles.

_{Interior of the GLX shown at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring shows the bigger nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, push-button start and leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel. Image: Charl Bosch}

Moving up, the new GL+ grade swaps the steelies for 15-inch alloys and the traditional LCD audio system for a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A multi-function steering and reverse camera completes its additions.

Continuing as the flagship, the GLX eschews the halogen lights for LEDs, the manual climate control for a fully automatic set-up and the urethane steering for a leather-wrapped item.

At the same time, the GL+’s alloys make way for diamond-cut wheels still measuring 15 inches, while the infotainment increases in size to nine-inches.

Keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, LED fog lamps and paddle shifters on the CVT complete the GLX.