2018 Suzuki Swift Sport is lighter and more powerful than the outgoing model; makes strong case for a global hit
Suzuki unveiled information and official image of the new-gen Swift Sport hatchback in a striking yellow paint scheme back in August. With little known concrete information, we had to wait patiently until its world premiere at the ongoing 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and finally we can say the specs on paper are impressive.
The Swift Sport has come a long way in the visual standpoint compared to its predecessor. The performance based hatchback has undergone significant changes on its latest generation and it boasts the intent to not just be a conventional city car but a corner carving fun machine.
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The 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport has catapulted the regular new-gen Swift’s design language and is aggressive in every sense of the word. The yellow finish to the body and roof merges with the blackened pillar as they squeeze out a dual-tone theme in harmony. Glancing over the front fascia, it is hard to miss the prominent sharp looking grille with a unique waving pattern housing the signature Suzuki badge.
The front bumper area has oval shaped fog lamps on each end with edgy enclosures. The front end is further adorned by the black lip spoiler underneath while the alloy wheels have distinguished styling wrapped around by low-profile tyres. The headlamps cater a sleeker stance and helps in making the Swift Sport standout in the crowd.
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The lower bumper section is finished in glossy black colour as well and the twin exhaust pipes seem to have neatly integrated into the rear diffuser. The first genuine sketches of the new Swift surfaced on the internet in March 2016 and it was the Sport version. It adheres with the official image from Suzuki with unique interior to go hand-in-hand with the sporty exterior changes.
It features black theme with contrast seat stitching and Sport badge engraved on some parts of the cabin. There is a set of sports seats, sporty dashboard featuring red detailing and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel. The instrument cluster also hosts a red rev-counter while the color display in there comes with a boost gauge. Other significant features are the twin-pod instrument cluster, circular air vents, a large touchscreen display, sport pedals and so on.
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Coming to the performance bits that excite us: The Swift Sport has ditched the traditional 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated performance tuned engine (last of its breed) for a new 1.4-litre unit from the Vitara lineup. The K14C four-cylinder Boosterjet petrol sprouts a turbocharger and is good enough to pump out a maximum power output of 138 bhp and 230 Nm peak torque – 4 bhp and 68 Nm more compared to the previous Swift Sport.
What has also been confirmed is the presence of six-speed manual transmission as standard while top-level variants may get an optional six-speed automatic unit. The crucial factor in its expected success is the agility the lower kerb weight would offer along with 15 mm lesser ground clearance and 40 mm added width. The new Swift Sport weighs as low as 970 kilograms – a massive 80 kg lighter than the outgoing model. It amounts to an impressive power-to-weight ratio of around 150 hp per tonne.
The new Swift Sport gets advanced Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS) collision-mitigating system as standard along with LED headlamps, 17-inch sporty wheels with 195/45 R17 tyres, leather wrapped steering wheel with contrast red stitches, stainless steel pedals and “Sport” branding. The tyres are 40 mm wider front and rear while the suspension is thoroughly reworked with stiffer anti-roll bars and wider-spaced wheel bearings.
Other important features are seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, MirrorLink connectivity, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, six airbags, ABS, ESC and autonomous emergency braking.
The Swift Sport is key for the brand’s hot hatchback claims in the global compact segment. Rumours of the homegrown Swift Sport for India have refused to go away ever since the new generation model made its debut. It may come to light in the near future only after the new Swift’s launch in early parts of next year.
2018 Suzuki Swift Sport Images
