A little over month ago, Suzuki released a single photo and gave us some basic information about its new Swift Sport. Now, the Japanese firm’s sporty hatchback has made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Swift Sport looks like a normal Swift that’s been working out. Its front end sports a new grille and larger air intakes but it’s the rear end, with its diffuser and the two exhausts placed on either corner that really makes a difference.
Although it’s a completely new model, the new Swift Sport shares its M16A 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with its predecessor. However, in the new model maximum output has increased from 125 to 135 HP and torque from 148 to 160 Nm (109 to 118 lb-ft).
Despite the increased performance, average fuel consumption has dropped from 7.0 lt/100 km (33.1 mpg) to 6.4 lt/100 km (36.7 mpg) and CO2 emissions have been reduced by 11%, from 165 to 147 g/km.
Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox (the previous generation had a five-speed unit) designed exclusively for the Swift Sport with a triple-cone syncromesh in 1st and 2nd gears for easier shifting and a larger counterweight at the end of the shift lever that enables faster and smoother gear changes.
Of course, a Sport-badged model needs an appropriately tuned chassis in order to justify its name. So the new Swift Sport features a completely redesigned rear suspension with greater toe and camber rigidity and larger wheel bearings for better stability. Increased front and rear spring rates and added rebound springs at the front struts ensure better handling along with improved comfort.
The new Swift Sport will be manufactured, like all versions of the Swift, at Suzuki’s plant in Hungary and will be available in European markets from October.
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