Launched: The 4th Gen Suzuki Swift. Sales are already robust!

Suzuki SA are hitting the sales figures out of the park. Think about this: 6 000 units across the board were sold in Mzansi for October 24 alone. That’s about 194 vehicles per day. Leading the sales charge was the venerable Suzuki Swift with 1,179 units sold – 985 of which were the fourth-generation variant. Now that is saying something! I had the opportunity to test drive the 4^th Gen Swift in Cape Town recently and I just liked everything about the Swift. The sales figures will tell you that the Swift is very much loved by South Africans. Who wouldn’t, when the price tag is arguably the lowest in class, best safety features across the range, a new 3-cylinder engine with running costs as low as 98c per km and a smooth and comfortable ride with ample space all-round. Oh yes, I almost forgot to include the dapper good looks and the exciting new colours that the Swift is available. Fresh exterior styling, a revamped interior and advanced digitisation.

Pic: Naresh Maharaj

What was the Drive like?

I chose to drive the 1.2l GL Manual. First it was a dose of urban Cape Town driving.  No hassles whatsoever.  No problems in traffic laden urban roads. I guess the real test was on the Franschhoek mountain pass. Undulating and rolling ups and downs, sharp lefts and rights and flat out on the straights, the Swift was a real pleasure to drive. Gear changes, up or down, was a breeze.  The all-new model proves even more frugal to run than ever before thanks to Suzuki’s thrifty new three-cylinder petrol powertrain. Whilst the claimed petrol consumption is 4.4l per 100 kms, the best I could eeck out was 4.9l per 100 kms. (I do have a heavy foot!).

 

What sets the new Swift apart from the outgoing model?

Pic: Naresh Maharaj

You don’t mess with a winning recipe. With over nine million units sold globally since 2004, it’s clear the Swift’s youthful and energetic exterior styling is a big part of its all-round appeal. Cautious to do anything radically different, Suzuki’s designers instead evolved the popular and instantly recognisable shape of prior Swift models to hit home with a new audience.

Key revisions comprise restyled headlight clusters with L-shaped signature lamps; an oval radiator grille with a piano black finish and a muscular new bumper beset with a more pronounced lower intake. Adding extra front-end spice is a clamshell bonnet with shut-lines that blend effortlessly into the creased shoulder line.

 

What has changed on the inside?

Suzuki SA has just improved on a winning formula. Climb inside the cabin of the fourth-generation Swift and you’ll discover a new wrap-around dashboard design with horizontal air vents and centre controls angled towards the driver.

Ahead of the multifunction steering wheel is a sporty and stylish metre instrument cluster combining refreshed analogue dials with either a colour or segment LCD display that lets you access a wide range of information at a glance, including average and instantaneous fuel consumption, driving range etc.

Combining long-distance comfort with body-hugging support, the Swift’s redesigned front seats are upholstered in black fabric with an embossed centre panel design. 60:40 split folding rear seatbacks are standard. Bootspace? There’s plenty. The Swift offers 265l of boot space expandable to 580l.

 

Under the bonnet

A defining feature of the fourth-generation Swift is the introduction of Suzuki’s new Z12E 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 60kW at 5,700rpm and 112Nm or torque at 4,300rpm. Lighter and more compact than the outgoing four-cylinder motor, it offers strong performance right through the rev range courtesy multipoint fuel injection and four valves per cylinder.

 

The Swift Range

Pic: Naresh Maharaj

The fourth-generation Swift offers a choice of three distinct model grades to help suit any budget. Riding on 14-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, the entry-level and manual-only Swift GL comes generously equipped with projector headlamps; digital air-conditioning controls, front and rear electric windows, electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors, a height adjustable driver’s seat, an alarm with central locking and rear parking sensors.

Next in line is the Swift GL+. Immediately identifiable by its handsome 15-inch alloy wheels and available with either a manual or CVT transmission, this mid-tier model amps things up with the addition of a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system wired to four speakers.

Sitting on 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, the flagship Swift GLX can be paired to both available transmissions and offers LED projector headlamps with a guide-me-home function and L-shaped LED daytime running lights; LED front fog lamps, keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, automatic climate control and a leather multifunction steering wheel (with paddle shifters on CVT variants).

 

It's Swift Safe!

Proving Suzuki doesn’t skimp when it comes to safety, every Swift comes standard with six airbags (front, side and curtain); ABS brakes with EBD, Brake Assist Function, Electronic Stability Programme and rear ISOFIX anchors. In addition, all occupants now have access to three point seatbelts (two front, three rear) with audible/visual reminders.

Verdict:

An all-round winner. The sales figures proves just that! Priced right to go with sporting good looks, an amproved and comfortable interior, frugal fuel consumption and a downright fun car.

Price

1.2 GL manual: R219,900

1.2 GL+ manual: R239,900

1.2 GL+ CVT: R259,900

1.2 GLX manual: R264,900

1.2 GLX CVT: R284,900

Pricing includes a two-year/30,000km service plan and five-year/200,000km promotional warranty.