IN a world of car park scrapes, flooding, more adventurous leisure activities and potholes, there’s an obvious market for the car makers to wrap us in vehicles more capable of dealing with the demands of 21st century motoring.

You could opt for one of the big 4x4s, of course, but for those without the need for a big car and who do virtually of their driving in an urban environment with occasional forays on to motorways or into countryside, that sounds excessive.

Suzuki, which knows a thing or two about 4x4 vehicles, reckons it has the answer – the Swift 4x4.

This is no Land Rover mudplugging rival, but rather a very useful alternative for motorists who crave additional mobility across rougher terrain or slippery surfaces without forking out for a more conventional large SUV.

The four-wheel drive system is a simple affair, permanent and fully automatic. It transfers additional torque to the rear wheels when required using a system called viscous coupling.

It is available with the same 1.2- litre petrol engine as the regular Swift and comes in SZ3 or SZ4 grade.

Apart from 4x4 badging and a slightly increased body ride height of 25mm, the SZ3 grade appears identical to an equivalent SZ3 fivedoor.

It is only when you move up to the SZ4 grade that it takes on a more rugged appearance and offers extra protection over rough ground by adding front and rear skid plates, black wheel arch extensions and black side skirts.

SZ3 specification features air conditioning, bluetooth connectivity, integrated audio unit with music streaming facility, new design 16- inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps. SZ4 includes LED daytime running lights as standard as well as power folding mirrors with integrated turn indicators and ‘auto up’ facility for the driver’s window.

Further standard specification for SZ4 includes automatic air conditioning, electric rear windows, rear privacy glass, push button keyless start, automatic headlamps and cruise control as standard.

The four-wheel drive system transfers additional torque to the rear wheels when required via a viscous coupling, further enhancing the already highly-acclaimed cornering ability of the Swift.

The viscous coupling essentially takes on the role of a centre differential to connect the front and rear axles and is made up of two sets of annular metal plates which rotate in a casing containing a silicon type fluid. In normal operating conditions, the plates will turn at the same rate but when wheel slippage occurs the silicon fluid will quickly become highlyviscous when heated by increased friction and shear caused by differences between the movements of the plates.

In summary, one part of the viscous coupling is connected to the driving axle and one part to the driven axle. When the front wheels spin, the centre viscous coupling locks due to friction and shear caused by the differences in motion of the plates which will then rapidly transfer more torque to the rear axle.

Thanks to the use of small and lightweight components the Swift 4x4 is just 65kg heavier than an equivalent two-wheel-drive petrol model and emissions are only 10g/km higher at 126g/km.

There’s no doubt that the 4x4 version does not feel quite as sprightly as the two-wheel-drive Swift, taking a second longer to reach 62mph from standstill. The extra weight also takes it toll on the average fuel consumption, which at 51.3mpg means you will travel about five miles less on a gallon.

That’s the trade-off price you pay for the better-protected and more capable 4x4 version.

It should offer some sure-footed confidence in the winter, but stay out of the woods.

Fact file

Suzuki Swift Sz4 4x4

PRICE: £13,116 (offer price until March 31)

ENGINE: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual driving all wheels

PERFORMANCE: 0 to 62mph in 13.4 seconds; top speed 103

ECONOMY: 51.3mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 126g/km