Suzuki has announced the South African specifications of the next-generation Swift ahead of the official market launch of the hotly anticipated hatch.
The automaker revealed that the hatchback will be available in the domestic market in three trim levels comprising GL, GL+, and GLX all driven by a new and more efficient petrol engine.
In total, there will be five specifications on offer spanning three manuals and two automatics.
The new Swift will be on display at this weekend’s Festival of Motoring and its market introduction is scheduled for Spring 2024, confirmed Suzuki South Africa.
Perfecting a winning formula
The fourth-generation Swift is built upon new architecture and boasts a refreshed design that retains the familiarity of the outgoing model whilst simultaneously providing a more contemporary aesthetic.
The hatchback has grown ever so slightly in length and height but is the exact same width as before.
All South African models come with body-coloured door handles and side mirrors, a glossy piano black upper front grille, integrated turn signals in the side mirrors, and LED tail lights.
The GL and GL+ get halogen headlights, whereas the top-spec GLX boasts LED clusters with daytime running lights and fog lamps.
Driving the enhanced Swift is a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder powerplant with a total potential of 60kW and 112Nm – just 1kW and 1Nm less than the four-cylinder motors in the current generation.
The full torque output is now available across a wider RPM range thanks to a new multipoint fuel injection system and four valves per cylinder which should aid in providing a more lively accelerator response.
Power is routed to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or CVT transmission, with an engine auto Stop/Start system equipped as standard on the manual derivatives.
The main selling point of the new engine isn’t its performance but rather its frugality.
It is reportedly capable of returning sub-4.0l/100km consumption figures, which is noticeably better than the already economical 4.9l/100km of the outgoing Swifts.
The new entry-level Swift GL is delivered with a digital airconditioning system, electric windows on all doors, electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors, central locking with remote control, rear parking sensors, and 14-inch steel wheels.
Safety systems are standardised across the range, as each Swift is now fitted with six airbags, hill-hold control, ABS with emergency brake support, electronic stability control, three-point seatbelts on all five seats, and child-seat anchorage points on the outside two rear seats.
The mid-range GL+ further brings a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reverse camera, a multifunction steering wheel, and 15-inch alloy wheels.
At the top, the GLX is completed with keyless entry with push-button start, automatic climate control, a larger 9-inch infotainment display, a leather-clad steering wheel, cruise control, paddle shifters for the CVT models, automatically folding side mirrors, automatic headlight activation, and unique diamond-cut alloy wheels measuring 15 inches.
“More information on the Suzuki Swift range, its specifications, and its performance will be released at the official launch of the model range,” said Suzuki South Africa.
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