The new Suzuki Swift features a striking front grille and headlamp design. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe
Still called a concept, the new Suzuki Swift was officially revealed in Tokyo on Wednesday.
After Suzuki leaked one picture of the all-new Swift earlier this month, The Citizen Motoring saw the car in the flesh for the first time at the Japan Mobility Show.
The hatchback features a striking new grille design flanked by restyled headlamps featuring L-shaped daytime running diode.
A bigger rear spoiler is one of a few minor changes at the rear, while the rear door handles have moved out of the C-pillars into the more conventional position.
The 15-inch alloy wheels made way for 16-inch five-spoke machine polished rims.
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Numerous changes inside see the introduction of a 9-inch infotainment system, a digital climate control display, the two central air vents changing from being round to rectangular and moving below the infotainment screen and the instrument cluster adopting a new design.
According to Suzuki, the new Swift will feature a host of advanced safety features such as dual sensor brake support, adaptive high-beam system and driver monitoring system.
No details of drivetrains where divulged other than “high efficiency engine strikes a balance between driving performance and fuel efficiency”. The concept model was badged as a hybrid, which means hybrid options currently offered in other markets are likely to be carried over. And possibly make their way to the tip of Africa.
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The current Swift in South Africa features a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine which produces 61 kW of power and 113 Nm of torque. The Swift Sport features a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine which produces 103 kW and 250 Nm.
The 1.2-litre mill in India and Europe features mild-hybrid assistance, and the 1.0-litre turbo in Japan.
The full hybrid featuring the 1.2-litre engine is available in Japan.
The Swift Sport is offered as a mild hybrid in Europe.
The new Grand Vitara become the first local Suzuki product to be offered with a hybrid powertrain earlier this year. This is an updated version of the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated mill featuring mild electrical assistance.
The current standard Suzuki Swift comes in a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automated manual transmission. The Sport comes with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto box. In some markets, a CVT is also on offer.
No pricing or launch date has been confirmed for South Africa, where the Suzuki Swift is a top seller. Speculation at this stage is that the new Suzuki Swift might only arrive in 2025. Or late 2024 at a squeeze.
“It is very difficult to try and commit to a date for the Suzuki Swift. Even when we know the date on which production starts, one little hiccup can set the first back,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
More details will follow in due course.
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