The Swift is a local favourite and one of the reasons why Suzuki keeps breaking sales records, but if the 'normal' Swift isn't' hot enough for you, will a Swift Sport put a smile on your dial? Let's find out how much faster and cooler the Swift Sport is than the regular old Swift. (And while you're at it, find out if the Swift Sport is expensive to mainain.)
Hello, Suzuki Swift
Naamsa, the automotive industry business council, reported at the beginning of February 2022 that Suzuki Auto South Africa was the third best-selling vehicle manufacturer in January, behind Toyota and Volkswagen. The Swift also became the first Suzuki model to sell over 1000 units in a month. (Here's everything you need to know about the Suzuki Swift Sport.)
The Swift enjoyed a mild upgrade and facelift in April 2021, adding some chrome into the now-much-cooler grille. GA models were treated to full-sized wheel covers for their steel wheels while GL and GLX models received fog lamps as well as sexy alloys. GL and GLX models can be had in dual-toned colouring, ie. with a black or white roof and different body colour.
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As for comfort, all models feature electric windows, air conditioning (GLX has climate control) and central locking, with the GL models adding an audio system with USB and AUX inputs, a tachometer and electrically adjustable mirrors.
From a safety perspective, there have been improvements as well: the new Swift was fitted stability control along with park distance control and hill-hold assist in the AMT transmission models. GLX models have a reversing camera, climate control, keyless access and keyless Start, electric side mirrors and a high-res colour touchscreen (see above) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Power and fuel economy
Sporting an excellent power-to-weight ratio and a free-revving, frugal K12M petrol engine, the Swift is fun to drive and yet it is ultra-economical. The Suzuki K12M-engine, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder powerplant, uses variable valve technology to deliver 61 kW at 6 000 rpm and 112 Nm at 4 200 rpm. The highly efficient engine is rated to consume only 4.9 litres per 100 km in a combined testing cycle. It completes the obligatory 0-100 km/h in 12 seconds and its top speed is 170 km/h.
Related: Suzuki refreshes the perennial Swift
The Swift Sport has a bit more get-up-and-go
The Swift Sport's face remains unchanged since 2019 when it was released - there are no silver bits like its non-turbo brother has - it's mostly blacked out, with a separate fog lamp housing design rather than the Swift's front end with adjoining fog lamp housings:
The front lights are LEDs with long light-bar type LED daytime running lights and there is a front splitter with carbon-fibre type patterning to round off the sporty look.
On the flanks, the Swift Sport can be distinguished by its 16-inch diamond-cut and polished alloy wheels, which are now shod with 195/50R16 low-profile tyres. New carbon fibre-patterned side under-spoilers flow from the front splitter between the front and rear tyres for improved aerodynamics and a lower, ground-hugging appearance. Suzuki has also added darkened privacy glass to the rear windows for visual differentiation and to emphasise the model’s tapered roof. At the rear, a completely redesigned rear bumper houses two chromed exhaust pipes, one on either side, that have been acoustically engineered for a deeper sound at low engine speeds. The twin-tailpipes pay direct homage to the new Swift Sport’s forebears.
All Swift Sport models also feature rear LED taillamps and a larger, integrated roof spoiler. A rear splitter, in the same design and style as the under-spoilers and front splitter, round off the stylish design.
While the darkened front, side and rear under-spoilers create a clear visual distinction from the standard Suzuki Swift, it also plays an important aerodynamic role. These spoilers, combined with the redesigned roof spoiler, new flat covers under the engine and main floor and new, larger front strakes, boosts the new Swift Sport’s aerodynamic efficiency. - Suzuki SA
Inside the Swift Sport
The interior looks cheerful and athletic with its glossy red detailing and the pedals are aluminium. Specs and features are basically the same as the high-end 'regular' Swift in GLX trim. The Swift Sport has 6 airbags vs the Swift's 2. The front seats are also bolstered to keep you from shifting around when you're cutting those apexes, and there are high-performance brakes to bring you to a stop. The Swift Sport's boot is slightly smaller at 242 litres compared to the Swift's 268-litre boot.
The biggest difference between the two models, however, is the engine. The Swift Sport's power figures of 103 kW and 230 Nm from its 1.4-litre turbocharged Boosterjet engine allow it to shave 4 seconds off the 0-100 km/h finish line compared to the normal Swift (so, 8 instead of 12).
Suzuki’s engineers designed the 1.4 BOOSTERJET engine with a very short intake manifold, an integrated exhaust manifold and, in the Swift Sport, a pendulum-style engine mounting system for additional rigidity. The compact design of the engine has also allowed the engineers to better position the engine for improved weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.
Lastly, the engineers replaced the direct-action variable valve timing (VVT) of the previous naturally-aspirated engine with a new roller rocker-type VVT-system for more progressive power delivery, especially at high revs. - Suzuki
The Swift Sport also features a unique air intake system with dual air-intake pressure sensors and two electric fans on the front radiator, for better cooling efficiency and greater airflow to the engine, compared with the non-Sport Swift. It's also slightly heavier than the Swift but only by about 90 kg.
Related: Suzuki Swift Sport tackles the Simola Hillclimb
The Swift Sport is considerably more expensive, but it's to be expected, considering all that extra power. Don't expect fuel economy under 7 litres per 100 km, however, which is still pretty impressive.
You can read my review of the Suzuki Swift Sport here: Suzuki Swift Sport undergoes family testing
The current line-up looks like this:
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GA, R199 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL, R218 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX, R233 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX auto, R255 900
Suzuki Swift 1.4T Sport, R419 900
Suzuki Swift 1.4T Sport auto, R442 900
Please note that pricing was correct at the time this article was published but is subjected to regular increases. Please consult Suzuki SA for the latest in pricing.
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