Fourth-generation Suzuki Swift

2017 Suzuki Swift

Well, this is unexpected for Suzuki to unveil a new car just before the year ends, but still, the Japanese small car company has unveiled the brand new Suzuki Swift to deliver a swift response to the motoring public that demands a compact car with the good balance of efficiency and performance at the same time. So, how can this new model shows that it's here today and ready for tomorrow's world?

2017 Suzuki Swift

First and foremost, let's take a look on the exterior design and well, what do you think? The new looks is like the best of both worlds! You have a front grille that looks like it came from the Hyundai Veloster, the front lamps look vaguely similar to the Jaguar F-Type, the side view looks like it came from the Peugeot 3008, and the back view looks like it came from its Indian-born relative, the Baleno. How simple was that? It's like a melting pot of diversity and culture all wrapped up into one freshly-made sukiyaki.

2017 Suzuki Swift interior

2017 Suzuki Swift interior

The new interior is a clear reminder why it's starting to take shape for a world-class hatchback and while this is basically more roomier than the old model, it's got lots of features you can toy around such as this nifty sat-nav which comes with Apple Carplay and (yes, really) Android Auto. When I said Android Auto, they really mean it because this is the second time a Japanese carmaker had a car with Android Auto compatibility since the Nissan Serena a while back. Anyway, don't get all hasty because while the new interior is now roomy enough to make amends at the back, its still as regular as...hmmm...a cup of coffee you had in the morning.

2017 Suzuki Swift

Now, let's move on to the really interesting bits about the new car and for the new Swift, this world-class hatchback is the first to use the brand new HEARTECT platform, which promises improved rigidity, performance and weight loss. Speaking of weight loss, the new model now weighs less than a Ford Focus or a Lotus Elise. Which means, with a car that weighs less than a ton, the handling is now more enjoyable than ever and you can really drive it over and over again as long as you don't ring a bell on anyone about what happened to this one. 

Under the hood, the new Swift offers a choice of a 1.0L Boosterjet three-cylinder engine and a 1.2L Dualjet engine. On the one with the Dualjet engine on it, it can be powered with Suzuki's Mild Hybrid technology featuring an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a li-ion battery pack. With the same kind of stuff as seen from the Ignis, fuel efficiency is about 27.4kmpl based on Japan's JC08 mode standards.

Don't forget; the one with the Boosterjet engine is mated exclusively with a 6-speed automatic, which sounds like a killjoy to the drivers, while non-hybrid models can be fitted with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT, and hybrid ones are mated exclusively with CVT. The more you know.

For the first time on the new Swift, a wide range of driver assists are offered ranging from brake assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise controls. Sounds high-tech but don't get too obvious about these thingamajigs here.

The all-new Suzuki Swift starts from 1,343,520 up to 1,941,840 Yen and sales will start on the 4th of January. So, there you are. With all the major improvements made to ensure that this car is here today, ready for tomorrow's world, the all-new Suzuki Swift will become a strong seller for the leader of small cars in Japan, as long as someone from a Southern Asian country never get too nosy about this one because there could be some dire consequences on nosing around the new model.

Available colors: Burning Red Pearl Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic, Pure White Pearl, Super Black Pearl, and Premium Silver Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation\