Suzuki Swift 2nd generation has started its debute in
September 2004, precisely in
French, at the
Paris Motor Show.
New Suzuki Swift design was previewed on the
Concept S and
Concept S2 cars at
auto shows, in the years leading up to its launch.
Suzuki Swift 2nd generation marked a significant departure with the previous
Cultus-based models, with
Suzuki redesigning the
vehicle as less of a "low price alternative"
subcompact and more of a "sporty"
subcompact. The design and driving characteristics of
Swift focused on the
European market with its
chassis refined through a
road-testing program across
Europe.
The Swift was available with 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol engines, rated at 92 metric horsepower (68 kW; 91 hp) and 102 metric horsepower (75 kW; 101 hp), respectively. It was produced in Hungary, India, Japan, Pakistan and by Chang'an Motors in China. In Japan, only the five-door body is available, and four-wheel drive is an option for the 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol engines. A 1.2-litre engine fitted with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) transmission was offered as in front-wheel drive only. In Europe, the Swift was launched in three- or five-door hatchback forms, with 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol engines, and a 1.3-litre DDiS engine supplied by Fiat. The 1.3 petrol is also available with an automated manual transmission or with four-wheel drive.
The second generation Swift has received a four stars out of five rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests. It also was awarded 2006 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland.
Since its global launch in 2005, which was kicked off with a marketing campaign fronted by the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in many European countries, the Swift has recorded above forecast sales in most markets. In Japan, sales figures have been twice the forecast and in many European markets the model has been a runaway success.
 |
| Suzuki Swift Sport |
Suzuki launched the
sport version of the new
Swift in
Japan in October 2005, and the model was introduced in most
European markets in September 2006. Named "
Swift Sport", it is powered by a high-reviving 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated
DOHC VVT four-
cylinder engine with a 11.1:1 compression ratio, high lift cams, forged pistons, and strengthened valve springs. The 1.6-liter engine produces 125 metric horsepower (92 kW; 123 hp) 148 newton metres (109 lb•ft) torque. The
sportier bumpers and
spoilers featured by
Swift Sport, a
stiffer suspension,
twin exhaust pipes, red
sport seats (with
Recaro seats optional) and four-wheel
disc brakes on 16-inch wheels. While
manual transmission, the
three-door body variant, 17-inch
wheels and electronic stability control (
ESC) featured by the
European Swift Sport.
