THE rolling hills and twisty B-roads of North Yorkshire were instrumental in creating a new hatchback star to welcome in the new year.
For it was here that the latest offering from Suzuki, a revised version of the Swift Sport, was secretly put through its paces.
And the result is a car that the motoring enthusiast will find a joy to drive and one with a price tag that won’t cause an about-turn on the showroom forecourt.
Ironically, I was transported from those twisty home roads to even twistier ones north of Barcelona for the press launch – a testing route that showed off the Swift Sport’s excellent handling qualities and accurate electronic steering, albeit on roads with a smoothness seldom found back home.
But let’s get one thing clear from the start. Like the previous version, this is no hot hatch. Rather, it’s a warm performer, able to scoot along to 62mph in 8.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 121mph.
More refined, more economical, more powerful and faster than the first-generation model, it also emits less CO2 and has gained a sixth gear.
The 1.6-litre dual VVT engine has an extra 13bhp and now achieves 44.1mpg – a ten per cent improvement.
That has been partly achieved by the introduction of the sixth gear.
The first five gears provide better acceleration, while the final one means fewer visits to the petrol station. The sixth gear makes the car much more easy to live with, and so too does the revised suspension over the previously hard set-up.
First impressions of the car are very favourable. Riding on 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, which each weigh 1kg less then those of the previous model, the Swift Sport exudes confidence in its stance. It has a road-hugging profile and clues to its sporting prowess abound.
There’s a large front grille, roof spoiler, twin tailpipes, modest side skirts and powerful projector headlamps with a metallic grey coating.
It does not take long behind the wheel to appreciate that the Swift Sport’s performance lives up to the promise of its appearance. The exhaust note puts a smile on your face and it seems that the more you weave and dart, the more the car wants to play.
The engineers are to be congratulated on the higher levels of chassis performance and myriad tweaking under the bonnet that provides for superb control and stability.
Key elements of the superior handling include a wide track and a short wheelbase, both already seen in the previous version, but now further refined.
Anyone tempted to move up from the world of regular hatchbacks and dip their toes into faster waters will find the Swift Sport a confidenceinspiring next step on the way to a full-blown fire-breather. It’s high on emotion and low on emissions.
Those familiar with the regular Swift will recognise a lot of interior features seen in SZ4 trim level. That means you get keyless entry, pushbutton start, cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, rear privacy glass, fog lamps and an audio system with MP3/USB connectivity.
Black and silver dominate the colour scheme, while a premium-look, chronograph-style instrument cluster, leather steering wheel and red stitching on the seating and gear lever surround both add to the pleasing feel of the cabin. In addition, new front sport seats make for a snug fit, although both my codriver and I felt the mounting on the driver’s seat could do with being set slightly lower.
The flagship of the Swift model range, the Sport is built in Hungary with the same DNA as its predecessor. But this version should have a much wider appeal.
Unmistakably an evolution of its predecessor, it is now more fun to drive, more attractive and more refined.
SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT
PRICE: about £14,000.
ENGINE: 1.6-litre VVT petrol.
TRANSMISSION: sixspeed manual.
PERFORMANCE: 0 to 62mph in 8.7 seconds; top speed 121mph.
ECONOMY: 44.1mpg combined.
CO2 RATING: 147g/km.
