Sassy all-new Suzuki Swift

ETHOS: 'FUN TO DRIVE' HATCH LIVES UP TO REPUTATION

- Jaco van der Merwe

For some brands, certain models are more important than others. In the Suzuki stable, the Swift is as big as it gets.

The Suzuki Swift has been the cornerstone of the Japanese carmaker's relentless local sales success which reached yet another high last month.

The manufacturer broke the 6,000-mark for the first time.

While Suzuki (6,006) is still behind Toyota (11,891) and Volkswagen Group SA (6,340), it sold more cars than VW on its own managed when you subtract 529 Audis from the group's overall number.

Many of the 1,179 Suzuki Swifts sold last month were the all-new model whose local roll-out was strangely staggered over the past few months that saw dealers and customers driving the car before the media.

The Citizen Motoring got face-to-face with the fourth-generation model up close at the Tokyo Mobility Show a year ago, but could not drive it in Japan.

This box was finally ticked when we headed down to Stellenbosch this week to see what all the hype was about.

The manufacturer stuck to the Suzuki Swift's proven mantra, which is design and sporty performance - or "fun to drive" in Suzuki speak.

It gave the car a reworked drivetrain, fresh exterior styling, revamped interior, advanced digitization and more safety features to enhance the overall appeal.

And in doing that, also staying true to value aspect which Suzuki is renowned for with a price starting at under R220,000.