All New Suzuki Swift Sport ZC33S

Those who've been waited to see a brand new Swift Sport based on the recently-released fourth-generation Suzuki Swift have been heavily rewarded as the newest incarnation of Suzuki's world-class hot hatch has been unshackled to the world over, armed with the HEARTECT platform, improved handling, and the 1.4L downsizing turbo engine, which is the most intriguing change of all for this regeneration. Let's take a closer look on the all-new Swift Sport.

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport

Carrying the tradition of the Swift Sport legacy for over a decade, the Swift Sport is a hotter version of the Swift that promises to ignite the senses of any driver who come across this hot hatch that is the ideal stepping stone for budding car enthusiasts on track days and for the new model, based on the fourth-generation model, it has radicalized the way we think about hot hatches.

The design maybe based on the latest Swift but the Swift Sport features sportier aerodynamics that became the trademark of the Swift Sport heritage since the first one and with the new look, you have the impression of a junior-sized Nissan GT-R that wants to rip through the curves like a swimmer by weekdays, pop star at weekends and holidays. Sounds exaggerating but I'd admire with the new look's confidence when it wants to let it all out. On the inside, the familiar interior of the latest generation Swift has been kitted out with red interior accents and driver-centered instrumental panel for that fresh sportscar smell that makes you change your clothes from your yuppie look to boy racer look when no one's looking at you, except your girlfriend's dad who has a shine on your car.

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

With the new design that is downright obviously sporty for a hot hatch, here comes the performance this new model radicalized at and for starters, the average M16A natural aspiration engine from the previous Swist Sports has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and in place uses the new K14C BoosterJet turbocharged engine as seen on the Escudo, producing 140PS of power output, four more than the old one, and 230Nm of torque, which sounds massive.

No more CVT on the choice of gearboxes, thank goodness for that, because the new Swift Sport has a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or a more enjoyable but technical 6-speed manual gearbox with fuel consumption of up to 16.4kmpl based on JC08 Mode standards and it's not just the enjoyable choice of gearboxes and the revolting turbo engine that contributes to an improved fuel efficiency, it's the brand new HEARTECT platform that provides improved rigidity, performance and weight loss, which makes this new model less than 970kg of weight and more enjoyable to drive thanks to its improved sport-tuned suspension, Monroe front shock absorbers, and specially designed rear suspension. Of course, on a track day basis, the sporty handling of the Suzuki Sport is great but on a everyday Tokyo traffic, it feels like a war zone in here, especially when the new Suzuki Swift Sport comes with a wide array of safety tech such as advanced forward detection, Dual Sensor Brake Support, lane departure warning, and other key technologies.

The new Suzuki Swift Sport starts at 1,836,000 Japanese Yen, which is more expensive than the previous model it replaces but more affordable to own than today's Japanese sportscar, making it a great beginner's car to work with, tune with, and play with. On a day-to-day basis, the Swift Sport can be a crushing experience because of its sport-tuned dynamics but out in the open, the Swift Sport is as free-spirited as a pop star swimmer and while the turbocharged engine is a revolting radicalization to the new model, the sharp weight drop due to the HEARTECT platform and the dynamics will make this new model a must have for this year. Come on world, we're getting envy over it.

Available colors: Champion Yellow 4, Burning Red Pearl Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic, Pure White Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, and Super Black Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation