Suzuki releases first details of new Swift models

Suzuki has released the first images and preliminary information of the new, third generation Swift which goes on sale as both a 3 door and a 5 door model in the UK in the Autumn.

Suzuki held the world premiere 'line off' ceremony this week for mass production of the new car at its Magyar Suzuki Corporation production facility at Esztergom, in Hungary.

The all-new Swift is positioned as Suzuki’s latest world strategic model and makes developments in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling, improved fuel consumption and significantly lower emissions.

Extensive use of higher strength steel makes the new bodyshell lighter and stiffer than before as well as offering refinement in underbody design. This latest body design has also helped improve impact safety for pedestrians as well as occupants.

Increased track and larger diameter wheels with lower profile tyres allow for even better handling than the already highly acclaimed outgoing Swift that first went on sale in 2005.

The interior design now has a more dynamic feel, featuring black as its keynote colour with accents of silver throughout the car.

New Swift has grown slightly in length (+90mm) with a 50mm increase in wheelbase. For the powertrain; a new 1.2-litre petrol engine incorporating Dual VVT (Variable intake and exhaust valve timing) is utilised which produces 94PS at 6,000rpm, slightly more than the outgoing 1.3-litre unit. Torque is also improved to 118Nm at 4,800rpm.

Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is now 56.5mpg for the manual transmission model, an improvement of 7.8mpg over the previous 1.3-litre unit.

Emissions are much lower as well; the new 1.2-litre engine with manual transmission produces just 116g/km on the combined cycle; representing a 24g/km or 17 per cent improvement over the 1.3. An optional automatic transmission will be available for the petrol engine from launch.

A 1.3-litre diesel engine will also become available and planned for UK introduction in early 2011; this engine emits 109g/km (down from 119g/km) and has an impressive combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg, an improvement on an already highly credible 62.8mpg from the outgoing Swift DDiS. This Euro 5 engine has more precise engine management than before with reduced levels of mechanical friction for smoother running and flexibility.

Details on full UK specification and pricing will be announced later in the summer.