Suzuki unveiled the all-new Swift in Tokyo yesterday. Code-named the YSD, the new Swift is expected to arrive in India by mid-2017. So, what makes it worthy of the “all-new” tag that Maruti Suzuki will inevitably put? Well, a host of changes, some seen (obviously) but some certainly unseen. And it is these unseen updates that will define its generation upgrade status. Want to know what they are? Read on…
An all-new platform:
The biggest change in the new Swift is the new platform, named ‘Heartect’ which is shared with Maruti Suzuki’s premium hatchback, the Baleno. As a result, the new Swift will be lighter than the car it replaces. For tensile strength, Maruti Suzuki has reinforced the chassis for maximum structural rigidity in a way similar to the Baleno. We have not driven the car yet, but expect it go accelerate better and be agile around corners.
Revamped exteriors:
Suzuki has completely revamped the front-end of the hatch and it now sports a longer front overhang. The sweeping bonnet also incorporates a revised front bumper, a larger grille and Baleno-esque changes to the headlight design which now get the addition of integrated DRLs. The side profile of the vehicle has also been tweaked with a sloping roofline, giving it a coupe-ish look (similar to the Mini Cooper). Even the door handles have been shifted to the C-pilar. The rear end of the car also has been reworked with a new bumper design and a new taillight design, which again is derived from the Baleno.
What has been retained:
Maruti Suzuki believes in the concept, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it and that is exactly what they have done with the engine in the Swift. The Swift is expected to get the same 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine making 83bhp and 115Nm, with the addition of a new fuel injection system. The 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine will still be sourced from Fiat, which makes 74bhp and 190Nm. Also, the VGT variant of the same engine could also be offered. It is speculated that the hatch could also be offered in a sportier variant, which is expected to come with a 1-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine (soon to power the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS).
Although the Swift is an established product in the market, it will face immense competition from the likes of Ford Figo, Hyundai Grand i10 and Honda Brio once launched in India.