The next-generation Suzuki Swift could launch in South Africa by October

The next-gen Suzuki Swift went on sale in India today, 9 May 2024, and could therefore make its South African debut as soon as October.
Judging from previous vehicle introductions such as the Fronx and Jimny 5-door, a new Suzuki car usually takes between four and five months from launching in India before we get our hands on it.
The Fronx hit Indian dealerships on 24 April 2023 and the automaker started exports on 6 July. The crossover officially became available locally on 15 August, just under four months after its Indian introduction.
Likewise, the Jimny 5-door started retailing in the South Asian nation on 7 June 2023, international shipments commenced on 11 October, with the domestic market getting it on 14 November – a timeline of roughly five months.
Following this pattern, the new Swift should get on the boat sometime between August and September 2024, and arrive on South African soil by or before October.
Keep in mind that Suzuki has not yet confirmed the launch date of its new hatch so this remains speculation for now.
When TopAuto contacted the company earlier this year for information regarding the Swift’s local availability, it said: “It is still early days and at this moment we cannot confirm the launch date of the new Suzuki Swift in South Africa, nor its subsequent powertrain or available features.”
What to expect
In India, the new Swift is available in five specifications namely Lxi, Vxi, Vxi (O), Zxi, and Zxi+ – though it’s rather likely that it will retain the GA, GL, and GLX naming structure once it reaches our roads.
Powering the hatch is a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol motor that produces 60kW and 112Nm, which is actually 1kW and 2Nm lower than the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder plant doing duty in the current-generation Swift.
The lower cylinder count and output do benefit propellant usage with the five-speed manual models reporting an average consumption of 4.0l/100km and the five-speed automatics an even better 3.9l/100km, versus 4.9l/100km for the current Swift range.
The entire line-up now also benefits from a Start/Stop system that aims to cut down on fuel spend even more.
The entry-level Swift Lxi in India brings a rather light equipment sheet, receiving 14-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, a multi-information driver’s display, a manual aircon, reverse parking sensors, hill-hold assist, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, and six airbags.
The mid-range models are more well-appointed with styled wheel covers, chrome and piano black cabin finishes, a multifunction steering wheel, a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an onboard voice assistant.
The pinnacle Zxi+ derivative additionally boasts automatic LED headlamps, 15-inch alloy rims, push-button start, a leather steering wheel, a 9-inch central touchscreen, an Arkamys sound system, climate control, wireless charging, cruise control, and a reverse camera.
The new city car comes in at 3,860mm in length, 1,735mm in width, and 1,520mm in height. This is 20mm longer and 10mm lower than the current Swift, but exactly the same width.
The lower roofline has impacted boot capacity ever so slightly with the new hatch able to accommodate 265 litres of cargo, down from 268 litres.
Suzuki’s South African subsidiary has yet to announce the local specifications and features of the next-gen Swift, though they shouldn’t be too far off from what is available in India, as was the case with the Fronx and Jimny 5-door.