Suzuki Swift

FIRST DRIVE All-new supermini gets more space and a sharper look 

- John McIlroy

SUZUKI is rapidly developing a complex range of small cars. We’ve already been impressed by the Baleno and quirky Ignis. Now it’s time for a new generation of the firm’s ‘centre ground’ supermini, the Swift.

The latest Swift makes use of the same lightweight construction as the Baleno, and with kerbweights as low as 890kg, it’s just about the lightest offering in the class. The new model is about 10mm shorter than the outgoing Swift, but crucially, its wheelbase is 20mm longer – and this has improved cabin space. Boot capacity also increases by 54 litres to 264 litres, although it still falls short of what you’ll find in a Ford Fiesta or Kia Rio.

Just two petrol engines will be offered in the Swift. The entry-level unit is the 1.2 Dualjet four-cylinder with 89bhp and 120Nm of torque. It helps the Swift go from 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds, while returning official fuel economy of 65.7mpg and emitting 98g/km of CO 2 .

The other engine is Suzuki’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet turbo. It produces 110bhp and 170Nm of torque between 2,000rpm and 3,500rpm – enough to take the Swift from 0-62mph in a more sprightly 10.6 seconds. It’s not quite as efficient, though, with claimed economy of 61.4mpg and CO 2 emissions of 104g/km.