The all-new Suzuki Swift Sport had its global premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The third-generation Swift Sport features a lower, wider stance, more aggressive styling, and a torque-to-weight ratio that propels the Swift Sport into genuine hot hatch territory. “We know that our customers value a dynamic driving experience above everything else,” says Swift Sport chief engineer Masao Kobori, “so we’ve made the new Swift Sport lighter, faster and more stimulating in every way.”
Suzuki Swift Sport: hot hatch performance
With a 1.4 BOOSTERJET engine producing 230Nm of torque, and a total kerb weight that is 80kg less than its predecessor, the lighter and quicker Swift Sport has evolved into a genuine hot hatch that makes exhilarating sports driving a reality.
1.4 BOOSTERJET Engine
The 1.4 BOOSTERJET petrol engine delivers high power with good fuel economy. The new turbocharger helps the engine produce impressive torque from low in the rev range, while the small displacement and direct fuel injection system optimises fuel consumption.
The direct fuel injection system features seven-hole injector nozzles, enabling increased fuel pressure and highly atomised fuel injection, resulting in higher engine output and a cleaner exhaust.
The turbocharger system is equipped with normally-closed wastegate valve control, which defaults to the closed position to provide excellent response in normal driving, and opens to minimise fuel consumption when cruising.
Weight Savings, Improved Chassis and Body Rigidity for Better Handling
The new Suzuki Swift Sport rests on the “HEARTECT” platform, a new-generation Suzuki platform that delivers enhanced fundamental vehicle performance through light weight and high rigidity.
A comprehensive overhaul of the underbody’s structure and component layout has resulted in the replacement of the segmented frame of the previous platform with a continuous frame that increases underbody stiffness. The new frame is characterised by a smooth, curving form that efficiently disperses energy, enhancing collision safety. Overall body rigidity has been further improved with an increase in spot welds, improving steering-yaw rate linearity and control.
In addition to the “HEARTECT” platform and the lightweight, shock-absorbing “TECT” body, detailed optimisation of interior parts, seats and other components has resulted in a total kerb weight of just 970kg. The torque-to-weight ratio of the new Swift Sport is approximately 4.2 kg/ N⋅m, making it one of the most competitive hot hatch models in the market.
Other features of the 1.4 BOOSTERJET engine:
- Variable fuel pressure control system, reducing PM (particulate matter) and PN (particulate number)
- Dual intake air pressure sensor control for high-response
- Air-cooled intercooler to improve volumetric efficiency by cooling intake air
- Short-port intake manifold, exhaust manifold-integrated cylinder head, and a pendulum-type mounting system for light weight and compactness
- 6-speed manual transmission
To achieve short-stroke and nimble shifting, enhancements have been made to the same 6-speed manual transmission used in the previous Suzuki Swift Sport. Actuating force has been tuned for improved shift smoothness and increased driver feedback, complemented by further engineering refinements to increase direct feel and rigidity.
Suspension
Fitting with its position as Suzuki’s flagship sports model, the advanced handling capabilities found in previous Swift Sport models have been further refined in the new Suzuki Swift Sport, with greater driving stability, optimized roll rigidity, and improved dynamic response.
Front
Carrying on from its predecessors, the new Swift Sport uses Monroe® front shock absorbers, which have a reputation for high performance. To improve roll stability, the thickness of the stabiliser joint bars have been increased, with a Teflon seat added to the stabiliser mount. The wheel hub and wheel bearings have been made into a single unit, and the width between the bearings has been expanded, together resulting in a 15 percent increase in camber rigidity during cornering. These advancements provide an added degree of stiffness without excessively increasing the spring rate of the springs or the front stabiliser, while maintaining supple movement in road-tyre contact.
Rear
The rear suspension was specially designed to ensure superior stability even at high speeds. The trailing arm was designed and developed exclusively for the new Swift Sport to minimise deformation during cornering. The new model’s toe rigidity has been improved by 1.4 times compared to its predecessor, and camber rigidity is higher by a factor of nearly three. The torsional rigidity of the torsion beam has been tuned to provide optimal roll stiffness. As with its predecessor, the new Suzuki Swift Sport uses Monroe® rear shock absorbers, with a revised valve structure and optimised damping force characteristics for enhanced handling and control on the road.
Swift Sport: strong visual presence
The Swift Sport features an exclusive frontal design. The front grille and bumper project the nose beyond that of the standard Swift, conveying a sense of tautness and imminent action. Muscular shoulders, blacked-out A-pillars and vertically arranged front and rear lamps, as introduced in the rest of the new Swift model range, are brought into vivid relief in the Swift Sport with black aerodynamic under spoilers spanning the front, sides and rear, and a roof-end spoiler that balances aerodynamic advantage with sports aesthetics.
Other design details of the new Swift Sport:
- A unique “staggered” design for the large-opening honeycomb grille
- Carbon fibre-style embossing for the front grille, front-lip spoiler, side skirts and rear diffuser
- Thin-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels
- Tapered shape for dual exhaust tips that relay presence with their wide light-reflecting surfaces
- The wheelbase is 20mm longer than the previous Suzuki Swift Sport, while tread is 40mm wider both front and rear, helping increase straight-line stability. In keeping with the design focus on performance and emotional connection, the body has been lowered 15mm and widened 40mm, creating a more grounded, athletic stance.
Swift Sport: stimulating driver experience
The new Swift Sport creates an immersive, interactive sports driving environment, starting with red interior accents and a driver-oriented instrument panel that immediately stirs the driver’s imagination. The main gauges pop with contrasting colours, and new boost and oil temperature gauges enhance the sports driving experience. Precision-crafted, high-quality textures and materials are used throughout the cockpit, including in the Swift Sport’s semi-bucket shape front seats that let the driver and passenger share the sports driving sensation.
Every driver contact point is tuned for sports functionality and enjoyment. The D-shaped steering wheel with dimpled leather gives a secure grip, with a satin finish, piano black accents and red cross-stitching. The chrome finished shift knob and sports alloy pedals complement the sports driving experience.
Also featured in the new Swift Sport is a Bluetooth®-compatible Smartphone Linkage Display Audio Display unit with a 7-inch touchscreen and a SD Card 3D-map navigation.
