2017 Suzuki Swift Test Drive, Interior, Walkarund – Video
Following on from its launch in the Japanese domestic market late last year, Suzuki Motor Corporation unveiled the new Swift for Europe at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show as its all new global compact supermini. The new Swift represents an automotive advancement aimed at uplifting the driver through succession, evolution and innovation.
It carries forward the Swift DNA while adopting completely new styling and a performance-enhancing extremely light body with advanced safety technologies. The result is exterior European flair complemented by a sporty and functional interior, nimble and agile driving, and enhanced peace of mind.
In addition to its stylish exterior design in a compact size of just 3,840mm long, the new Swift features excellent visibility, a spacious cabin and ample luggage space. The development goal was to create an all new hatchback styling that is undoubtedly Suzuki.
Smarter packaging
During interior design, lowering the seating positions has ensured sufficient head clearance (the same as for outgoing Swift for the front seats) and added 23mm vertical and lateral space for the rear seating positions. The fronts seats have been moved outwards by 10mm which has increased the centre-on-centre distance between them by 20mm.
New-generation platform ‘HEARTECT’
Under the ‘SUZUKI NEXT 100’ plan announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015, Suzuki developed a new platform strategy for its future models and the Swift is now the third model (following Baleno and IGNIS) to adopt this new generation platform and be introduced in Europe.
The new Swift rests on a new-generation platform “HEARTECT” that delivers enhanced fundamental vehicle performance due to being light and highly rigid. A comprehensive overhaul of the underbody’s structure and component layout resulted in the adoption of a highly rigid frame that enhances collision safety and has a continuous, smooth and curving form that better helps disperse energy.
This has led to a reduction in reinforcements, making the body a lot lighter than the outgoing Swift, and greatly contributing to lower fuel consumption and vast improvements in the fundamental vehicle functions of running, turning and braking. Also, optimising the underbody together with the components that are attached to it as a unified whole rather than focusing on partial optimisation of individual components. This strategy has reduced NVH by three per cent overall at 62mph for improved driving comfort.
This new platform or underbody of new Swift is now 30kg lighter which has contributed to the car registering a kerb weight of just 890kg (SZ3 model) which is over 100kg lighter overall.
The bodyshell (Body in White) is also of lightweight construction and includes the use of Ultra High tensile steel (980Mpa) across 17 per cent of its structure and High tensile steel (789 MPa) across four per cent of its structure.
The new Swift is 10mm shorter than the outgoing model, while its wheelbase is 20mm longer, creating more interior room including 20 per cent more luggage capacity at 265L, or 54 litres more than the current Swift. It is 15mm lower and 40mm wider, further accentuating its low and wide stance. The European Swift is 40mm wider and has a wider track than the Japanese Domestic model.
After the debut of the 1.0-litre three cylinder Boosterjet in Baleno and S-Cross during 2016, this engine technology is now extended to the new Swift. Offering the same level of power and torque of a much larger capacity normally aspirated engine (1.7-1.8-litre), it delivers an effortless drive and genuine driving pleasure.
This unit has an output of 111PS and is also Direct Injection turbocharged (DITC). The engine has very compact dimensions and offers 170Nm of torque available from 2,000rpm through to 3,500rpm. The optional six speed automatic transmission model offers 160Nm of torque which is available slightly earlier from just 1,700rpm through to 4,000rpm.
Boosterjet technology is developed by Suzuki and is characterised by improved fuel efficiency and driving pleasure made possible by using a small displacement, high torque turbocharger. By controlling the wastegate valve, which closes to create higher boost pressure during heavy load operation and remains open during normal driving, the Boosterjet system reduces pumping loss, thus achieving high levels of both power and fuel-efficiency. An air bypass valve is also utilised to prevent turbo ‘stall’ after the throttle has been closed and then quickly reopened.
The 1.0-litre engine employs six-hole fuel injectors and high tumble port technologies to inject fuel with a high combustion efficiency to provide greater fuel economy and improved power output.