Suzuki Swift Sport: GTi By Any Other Name

Motoring Channel Staff - 27/Sep/2006

Melbourne, Australia — Priced from $23,990, Suzuki Australia has launched the follow up to the original pocket rocket (the Suzuki Swift GTi) with the unveiling of the new Suzuki Swift Sport, that may appeal to buyers of the Mini Cooper.

Powered by a larger capacity sports tuned 1.6-litre VVT engine, the Swift Sport offers buyers a maximum output of 92kW @ 6800rpm, which is a significant increase when compared with the Swift's 1.5-litre engine, which outputs 75kW @ 6,000rpm. This extra power gives the vehicle an improved power to weight ratio than many of the hot hatches currently available on the Australian market, and at a much cheaper price.

The engine's power is cornered by a 5-speed manual transmission which features an updated short stroke design with comprehensively enhanced shift linkages that give a firm, quick shift feel according to the Japanese company. The transmission has closer gear ratios selected specifically for the Sport model and provides a slightly lower ratio overall as well as less reach between them, which improves acceleration.

Suzuki's says that it's engineers worked tirelessly to design engine parts exclusively for the hot hatch including a new cylinder block, new inlet and exhaust camshafts, new pistons, piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, large capacity sports muffler, oil cooler, intake and exhaust manifolds and an electrical throttle body. 

Suzuki's commitment to providing buyers with a higher spec performance vehicle with exceptional handling is evident with the improved chassis design, which now features additional right and left hand floor members, as well as an additional rear floor cross member. These improve torsional rigidity and improve cornering grip and stability.

The suspension has been tweaked as well. Featuring a sport upgrade mode which was attained by increasing the compression and rebound dampening forces by around 60 percent to reduce bodyroll, Suzuki also has fitted Monroe shock absorbers for quality control.

The Swift Sport is the fourth vehicle in Suzuki's new model line up to hit Australian shores, following the Swift, APV and Grand Vitara and features the distinctive front styling of Suzuki.

The Swift Sport's distinctive aerodynamic body shape includes a newly designed front bumper, rear bumper and splash guard as well as a wide lower grille front air dam. It also features a twin exhaust system and multispoke alloy wheels with low profile tyres for extra grip.

From behind the Sport looks every bit the 'racer' with a large sport rear spoiler and newly designed rear combination lamps, including reversing lamps that have been separated from the other lights and sit along side each of the twin exhaust outlets.

The value packed, value for money philosophy of Suzuki has not gone astray on the Swift Sport, with a long list of standard features including a 4-speaker in dash CD stereo system with MP3 capabilities, easy to operate audio system controls mounted on a leather steering wheel, air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows, power steering, remote keyless entry with hazard lamp answer back, UV reducing glass, an impressive six airbags and ABS brakes.

Careful consideration has gone into the design of every aspect of the car, with numerous little extras giving the vehicle the edge over its competition. Suzuki cites the wraparound look of the glass surfaces in the cabin design (creating good all round visibility) as one of these little extras, whilesporty touches such as the three spoke all leather steering wheel, a silver garnished shift knob, stainless steel pedal plates, illuminated ring around the speedometer and sports seats in the front also up the ante in the sports stakes.

In a styling cue taken from the popular Suzuki GSX R750 motorbike, the dash features an easy to read instrument cluster in which the tachometer dial has its '0' mark positioned at six o'clock, where the eye falls naturally. Following this feature, there's also a centrally located information display cell, highlighting the time, fuel consumption, and outside temperature.

The classy, sophisticated hot hatch with European styling adds yet another vehicle that combines, fun, excitement, performance and affordability to the existing Suzuki line up, and unlike many vehicles that launch in different regions to different names, the Swift Sport name will be adopted globally and the vehicle has already been launched onto the domestic market of Japan to what Suzuki claims have been rave reviews and sales.

"We studied the Australian market and believe that we have perfected a vehicle that reflects the desires of consumers, a vehicle that not only offers performance but is affordable, economical, comfortable, stylish, suitable for everyday driving and still offers raw excitement," said Suzuki Australia's managing director, Mr. Takeshi Hayasaki.

Since its launch in February 2005, the Suzuki Swift has received world-wide accolades taking out Car of The Year titles in various publications and from various organisations in New Zealand, Iceland, UK, China, Ireland, Malaysia, Japan and Australia. It is envisaged the Swift Sport will follow with the same success pattern with its long list of standard features and equipment and its competitive price tag at $23,990.

"Suzuki has once again redefined the light passenger car market within Australia, just as we set the benchmark with the Swift, Suzuki has taken the segment to the next level," said Takeshi Hayasaki. "The Swift Sport offers a sporty driving experience for the average motorist, you simply don't need to be a racing car driver to handle and enjoy this vehicle."

Available in Australia in a 5-door manual the Swift Sport is priced from just $23,990 with sleek and sporty good looks and as with all Suzuki vehicles, safety is kept at a premium, with the Swift Sport incorporating the latest technologies for safety and security. As well as six airbags, including front, side and curtain airbags, it also gets high mounted stop lights, head impact protections, child proof rear door locks and side impact beams.

The spiritual successor to the Swift GTi will return to Australia from the 30th September, 2006, priced from $23,990.