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Suzuki Auto will showcase its fourth, and most advanced, generation of its Swift at this year’s Festival of Motoring (FOM) at Kyalami.
The all-new Suzuki Swift was first shown at a global reveal in March this year, and it has since gone on sale in major markets, including Japan, India and Europe. The South African introduction is scheduled for Spring 2024, with no fewer than five model variants in the line-up.
“The Suzuki Swift introduced South Africans to the Suzuki brand in 2008 and it has since found over 85 000 homes here. Today, the Swift often leads its segment and even the passenger vehicle market in general and we know that fans at FOM and in the market in general are excited about this fourth-generation model,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
This Swift is all new, with new innovations to be found in the drivetrain (including a smooth and frugal new CVT transmission option), suspension, chassis and steering and interior design.
The new Swift will be available in three specification levels, namely GL, GL+ and the luxury GLX models and as a boon for fans the GL+ and GLX specification levels will be available with the choice of manual or CVT transmission.
At the rear, all models have LED clusters and a high-level brake lamp.
Design – a modern homage
The Suzuki Swift is one of the all-time best-selling Suzuki models ever, with over 9 million units of its previous generations sold across the world.
With this in mind, Suzuki designers stayed true to the original concept, but gave it a modern and upmarket twist.
The new model has the same wide stance with the darkened side pillars of its predecessors. This reminds the viewer of a motorcycle helmet and Suzuki’s deep racing heritage.
Beyond this nod to the previous models, there is a modern twist to the large front and rear light clusters and a new, sleeker front grille finished in piano black that shows the model’s sporty intentions.
For the fourth generation, Suzuki has created a strong shoulder line that runs around the entire vehicle. The line crosses over the nose in the form of a clamshell bonnet and folds around the rear to form a discreet lip.
Three-cylinder fun
The new model introduces a new 3-cylinder engine, codenamed Z12E, in South Africa. This model uses many of the technologies that Suzuki has refined for its compact vehicles and motorcycles for better thermal management, more low-down torque and better fuel efficiency.
With this new 3-cylinder 1.2 litre engine the Swift delivers 60 kW at 5 700 rpm and 112 Nm at 4 300 rpm. The latter is available across a wider engine range, thanks in part to a new multipoint fuel injection system and four valves per cylinder.
The new engine delivers its power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual or CVT transmission. The former has an Engine Auto Stop/Start system as standard, while the latter offers paddle shifts on the GLX model.
Safety and luxury
The Suzuki Swift has always been Suzuki Auto South Africa’s top-selling model and as such the brand has spared no expense to offer the best ownership experience possible.
For instance, all models will have six airbags, hill hold control, ABS with emergency brake support, and electronic stability control as standard, setting a new benchmark for vehicle safety in its class.
Adding to the safety features, Suzuki has fitted three-point seatbelts on all five seats and child seat tether anchorage points on the outside two rear seats. On the subject of creature comforts, all models are equipped with a digital air conditioning system, while the GLX specification level will offer fully automatic climate control.
All models also have electric windows on all doors, electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors, central locking with remote control, and rear parking sensors.
* More information on the Suzuki Swift range, its specifications and its performance will be released at the official launch of the model range.
