2017 Suzuki Swift 1.2 2

The All New 2017 Suzuki Swift – Swift Made Swifter

The Swift is a crucial model for Suzuki, having sold over 1 million units to the European market and 5.4 million units globally since the launch of the esteemed second-generation car in 2005. Fast forward 12 years, and it’s time for the third generation to make its debut. The Swift may have been made swifter, but does it live up to its predecessor?

Swift Made Swifter

Suzuki Swift – Technology

All models come with a decent array of standard equipment, including air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, DAB radio with Bluetooth and electric windows. Options include rear view camera, front fog lights and 16-inch wheels for the SZ-T variant, and automatic air conditioning, sat-nav, keyless entry and start, all-electric windows and adaptive cruise control for the range-topping SZ5.

Both the 1.0 litre Boosterjet and 1.2 litre Dualjet engines are available in the Swift, with the option of an automatic gearbox for the Boosterjet and Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-wheel-drive system, mated to an automatic ‘box for the Dualjet.

There is no shortage of technologically advanced features in the new Swift. Suzuki’s SHVS hybrid system features on the Dualjet engine, which aids fuel consumption by assisting the engine with electric motors during moments of harder acceleration.

For the first time, Suzuki have placed their Advanced Forward Detection System in the car, which uses a laser sensor assisted camera to tell the car when to emergency brake, using the Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS) system, which can stop the car if there is an inherent risk of collision with an oncoming obstacle. The system also warns the driver of lane departure or weaving, and operates high beam assist, which switches the high beam headlights on or off depending on oncoming traffic.

The SZ-T and SZ5 models feature a 7-inch Smartphone Linkage Display Audio (SLDA) touchscreen display, which is compatible with Mirrorlink, Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

Styling

The Swift remains an attractive supermini, featuring a refreshed, up-to-date fascia, while keeping the recognisable proportions of the outgoing Swift. The body is now shorter, lower and wider, giving the car what Suzuki are calling “a muscular and well-grounded look”. The front grille is wide and imposing, featuring prominent fog lights (if equipped), while the rear is rather unassuming.

One solid colour is available as standard, with six optional metallic colours. Three dual tone colourway options also will be available, featuring either a black or silver roof. There are 15 and 16-inch alloy wheel options, and LED headlights and taillights feature on the SZ5. Privacy glass features across all trim levels, as well as LED daytime running lights.

Performance

The new Swift shares Suzuki’s clever new HEARTECT platform with its siblings – the Ignis and Baleno – which makes the Swift incredibly lightweight. The SZ3 variant weighs just 890 kg (100 kg lighter than the outgoing model) aided further by a lighter steel bodyshell construction, engine and hybrid system and hollow steering rack.

Swift Made Swifter

Three trim levels will be available; SZ3, SZ-T and SZ5, the former of which will be equipped with a remarkably frugal 1.2 litre Dualjet engine, capable of a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 65.7 mpg. The SZ-T and SZ5 will be available with a sprightlier 1 litre, 3 cylinder Boosterjet engine, producing 111 PS (110 bhp) and 170 Nm (125 lb-ft) of torque which should be more than enough to get the flyweight supermini up and running, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 10 seconds.

Suzuki Swift Rear

Interior

Personalisation options are available for the interior, which features white accents and satin chrome parts throughout, and a new LCD instrument panel. More focus has been placed on the driver this time, with the centre console turned 5 degrees towards the driver’s seat, which features increased bolster support and an improved overall shape.

2017 Suzuki Swift Interior

Thanks to a 20 mm longer wheelbase, the new Swift has more room too. This means more headroom and more space for rear passengers, and the front passengers now sit slightly further apart. Furthermore, there’s 20% more boot space, at 265 litres, 54 more than you got in the outgoing model.

Suzuki Swift

When Can I Buy One?

The car will be on sale in the UK and Republic of Ireland in June later this year, with a starting price of £10,999. Suzuki are planning to sell over 12,500 Swifts in the UK over the course of 2018, and 70,000 throughout Europe, all of which will be manufactured at Suzuki’s Sagara plant in Japan.

2017 Suzuki Swift

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