Review of the new Suzuki Swift Range

Suzuki's key problem when it came to sales of their original Swift supermini was that the car was so easy to overlook. For the same price as Suzuki wanted for the Swift, there were all manner of rivals that were quicker, more practical, boasted a better badge or were promoted far more effectively. Try to define the brand values of the Swift. Tough, isn't it? Needing to act decisively if they were to stop haemorrhaging a huge opportunity cost in the lucrative supermini sector, the Japanese company unleashed a completely new Swift that, for the first time in a very long time indeed, had commentators abuzz with excitement about a new Suzuki tot.

The tactics used in developing this model are not new. Honda and Toyota had shown in the past that plenty could be lost in the translation when small cars were exported from Japan to Europe and had embarked on design and manufacturing ventures in Europe to offer this huge block of customers a little more of what they fancied. First shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the Suzuki Swift benefits from a determined 'Europeanisation' insofar as a dedicated team of designers and engineers have collaborated closely with European automotive professionals and enthusiasts,

The first job for Suzuki was to develop a European centre of operations where rival cars could be benchmarked and analysed. Six months spent understanding what makes Western superminis so different from Oriental ones resulted in clear changes to the handling, packaging and design of the initial proposal.

"The Swift is a car that European buyers will no longer overlook quite so easily"

The first good thing to say about the Swift, is that it's no bad looker. For years we've received a stream of small Suzukis that, while being reasonably good to drive, just looked a little too alien to succeed as a mainstream proposition. Anybody who has driven a Wagon R+ will know that it's enormous fun to drive but few ever got past the setsquare looks. The Swift is refreshingly different, offering what Suzuki calls a "1.5 box" design. Rather than being an amorphous blob, the Swift has a pronounced bonnet line and a very shapely contour along its shoulders. A wide airdam and big headlamps give the car a distinctive 'face' and the big wheels at each corner of the car give the impression that it's solidly planted to the road. The black pillars produce a floating glasshouse effect and the wraparound glazing helps to promote better all round visibility. The rear of the car is even more expressive, with thickset haunches and a roof that melds into an integrated spoiler.

The interior is also very different from what we've come to expect from Suzuki. Again a wraparound theme dominates, with smoothly curved surfaces and a number of bright ideas. The illuminated ring around the speedometer is a welcome change from the usual chrome rings and the three-spoke steering wheel looks agreeably sporty. Taking its cue from Suzuki's sports bike expertise, the tachometer dial features a zero mark at the six o'clock position. A centrally mounted information display takes care of the time, fuel consumption and outside temperature functions. Suzuki have listened to customers who are tired of manipulating tiny, fiddly audio and climate buttons and have instead opted for big, easy to reach dial-type controls. The audio system can also be operated from a set of optional wheel-mounted switches.

One of the difficulties inherent in bringing a new model to market is finding the manufacturing capacity to offer a decent range of engines. All too often we see new cars arrive with only one powerplant offered, thus hobbling their chances while they're still breathing the heady oxygen of publicity. Fortunately, Suzuki benefited from long term planning with this car and offer three petrol engines and a diesel unit. The entry-level option is a 91bhp 1.3-litre petrol unit that will probably be the biggest seller. Next up is a 100bhp 1.5-litre petrol powerplant and then comes the 64bhp 1.3-litre DDiS diesel. This diesel unit is particularly interesting, featuring common rail architecture allied to a turbocharger and intercooler. The result is a surprisingly flat torque curve that offers strong responses at a wide range of engine speeds. The final option is the 1.6-litre 125bhp engine found exclusively in the Swift Sport.

The 1.3-litre petrol engine is capable of hitting 60mph from standstill in 11 seconds on the way to its 109mph top speed. The 1.5-litre option cuts a second from that time and has a top speed of 115mph, although those figures are dulled slightly if you substitute the standard manual transmission for the automatic gearbox. The Swift Sport can do the 0-60mph sprint in 8.9s and comes up trumps with an enjoyably pure and engaging driving experience. Fuel economy is key in a car like the Swift and averages of 45.6mpg and 43.5mpg for the 1.5 and 1.5-litre petrol engines respectively is a good showing. Better still is the diesel's 61.4mpg. Also worth mentioning is the diesel's 119g/km emissions showing which now places it in affordable tax band B.

One of the key factors in the Swift's handling and packaging is the fact that the chassis offers the class widest track (1470mm wide at the front and 1480 at the back), which in turn translates into the greatest overall width of any car in the supermini class (1,690mm). Coupled with a long wheelbase and compact engines, this frees up plenty of room in the cabin and allows for a 213-litre luggage area. The Sport model gets stiffened suspension for a livelier feel at the wheel.

Suzuki has worked hard to Europeanise the car and to offer the sort of safety and security features that will attract family buyers. With plenty of space and distinctive styling - especially in sporty three door guise - the Swift looks better equipped than any previous Suzuki to shift serious numbers in the supermini sector.

TOP 5 SWIFT DEALS

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Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS 5dr Diesel Hatchback
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