The next generation of the Suzuki Swift is already in production and slated to reach showrooms in Japan later this month. In the meantime, let’s see what’s new.
The engine cylinder count has dropped from four to three. The new mill extracts 82 PS (81 hp / 60 kW) and 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) of torque from its meager 1.2 liters of displacement. There is no turbo provided, but a compression ratio of 13:1 and variable intake/exhaust valve timing help keep things lively. A V-belt CVT sends the torque to the wheels.
An optional 12-volt starter generator can be purchased to inject an additional 3.1 PS (3 hp / 2.2 kW) and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) of torque into the acceleration. A 3-Ampere-hour battery pack sits under the driver’s seat and cannot be manually charged. The mild-hybrid Suzuki Swift is available with a manual transmission in addition to the CVT mentioned above. You can also choose between front-wheel-drive and part-time AWD with a coupling at the rear axle.
The fourth generation is 3,860 mm long, 1,695 mm wide and 1,500 mm tall with 2,450 mm between the axles. The drag has been reduced by nearly 5% and LED headlights added to the base trim. The roof still has its trademark ‘visor’, and the wheels are available in two sizes – 15 and 16 inches.
The suspension benefits from a new front sway bar and increased rear shock travel. The ground clearance is very limited at 120 mm (4.7 inches) and cannot be increased even in the AWD spec.
Inside, there are still many physical buttons all around, a transmission lever mechanically linked to the CVT box, and analog instruments. The infotainment display is nine inches large and optional – if you don’t pay, you get an empty space.
An impressive number of adhesive joints and added noise proofing materials complement a more structurally rigid body. Thanks to these improvements, the fourth-gen Swift weighs 50-70 kilos (110–155 pounds) heavier than its predecessor despite being the same size.
