There’s a new Suzuki Swift Sport on the block and it brings an even more potent 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain with up to 235 Nm on tap and a lot more assist.
The Swift Sport has always had enthusiast hearts beating a little faster when it surfaces online or in conversations, but, for whatever reason, Maruti Suzuki have refrained from bringing the hot hatch to India. Nevertheless, we feel obligated to bring you the latest developments in this existing hot hatch’s life.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport retains the styling of its regular counterpart but packs some exciting details as well. The Swift Sport is 50 millimetres longer than the standard car as well as 15 mm lower than the previous model, accentuating its low and wide stance. The look of a low centre of gravity is furthered by blacked-out pillars that create a floating-roof appearance. Pillar-mounted rear door handles add both style and a sporty flair, while a high-tech look comes in the form of LED signature lighting in the headlamps and tail-lamp clusters. It’s based on the “HEARTECT” lightweight platform that delivers enhanced performance, being light and rigid. A comprehensive overhaul of the underbody’s structure and component layout resulted in the adoption of a highly rigid frame that enhances collision safety and has a continuous, smooth and curving form that better helps disperse energy. During development, an additional number of welds were added to the upper part of the rear door openings and the hatch opening which resulted in even stronger structural rigidity of the body. Yes, it only weighs 1,025 kg.
Inside, the instrument panel highlights a sense of speed, while sporty and sophisticated red accents in the cockpit work with the black to create a high contrast cabin. For added sporty appeal, the tachometer has a red dial and the speedometer is coloured silver. A unique LCD unit is in the centre, with coolant temperature and fuel gauge incorporated within the two main gauges. Exclusive alloy pedals are also used to highlight its character. The front seats are of semi-buckets and have exclusive tubular frames set within the side supports of both the seatback and seat base cushion with fine tuned urethane pads for additional support during cornering at high speed. The seat fabric is of unique design and features embossed ‘Sport’ logos. The steering wheel is also exclusive to the Sport with a dimpled leather design for secure grip and matte and satin black inlays together with a red stitching design which also features on the gear-lever boot.
The powertrain comprises a K14D Boosterjet 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine. a 48V mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter-generator (ISG), a 48V-12V DC/DC converter and a lithium-ion battery pack. Being a 48-volt unit, the ISG is much more potent than the one found in the SHVS 12-volt models. This one is capable of delivering 10 kW (14 hp) and 50 Nm of torque. The engine makes 140 hp at 5,500 rpm and a substantial 235 Nm between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. A six-speed manual drives the front axle.
The 48V hybrid system also allows for Torque-fill control to improve engine response and Torque boost to make acceleration even smoother. These capabilities enhance driving feel by adding torque from the electric motor to engine torque during acceleration. The start/stop functionality has also been vastly improved.
Chief Engineer for the Swift Sport, Masao Kobori, said, “We know that our customers value a dynamic driving experience above everything else, so for the third-generation Swift Sport our development concept was “ultimate driving excitement”. It’s lighter, sharper, quicker. It’s more aggressive and emotive, but we’ve also refined the elements that make it practical to use every day especially the clutch feel, the manual transmission shift throw, the seats and steering wheel. Everything that puts the driver at the heart of the experience.”
