Suzuki Swift Sport storms into Sri Lanka

The 2012 Suzuki Swift Sport first appeared at the Australian Motor Show in concept form back in July 2011. Fast forward 12 months and the hatch fans can now buy the production version in Colombo.

The road going version of the Swift Sport has changed little since the concept appeared. While it looks a little tamer it gains a CVT auto with the peddle shift for the first time.

The 2012 Suzuki Swift Sport is lighter, more powerful and more frugal than the model it replaces. The Suzuki Swift Sport can be identified from the standard Swift by the addition of Body kit including roof spoiler, sport seats and stainless steel pedals, Bi-Xenon headlamps, CD radio with MP3 capability, including Bluetooth and USB port and Sport seats with red stitching.  Rounding out the list is keyless entry and push button start.

2012 Suzuki Swift Sport sees the previous model engine upgraded, the 1.6 litre four cylinder engine now produces 100kw and peak torque of 160Nm up 8kw and 12Nm on the previous model.

Suzuki claims the hot hatch will get you from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds 0.3 seconds better than the previous Swift Sport. Even with all that extra power fuel economy has improved - official fuel consumption figure going down from 7.3L/100km to 6.5L/100km in the manual, and it’s even less in the new CVT at 6.1L/100km.

The Swift Sport not only looks sporty on the outside, jump in and you notice the sporty theme continuing inside. From the red cross-stitching and soft leather steering with audio functions to cruise control and Bluetooth adjustable-for both reach and rake- and the CVT model also has mounted red flappy paddles.

The cabin is more sporty/functional than luxurious but with seven airbags including driver’s knee airbag you are also safe. You will find the usual technology like Bluetooth hands-free communications, six-speaker AM/FM/CD system with USB and a digital climate control air-conditioning system. There is no soft touch plastic but I’m not sure too many drivers spend their time touching interior panels.

Some people might not be able to notice the difference between the standard Swift and the sports model, but there should be enough styling clues for most to see that the Suzuki Swift Sport is the flagship model in the Swift Range.

The Swift Sport has been on a diet and to the gym bulking up in size to now measure 3.89 meters in length, making it 120 mm longer than its predecessor and 40 mm longer than the normal Swift model. But it has also lost weight to now weigh in at a nifty 1060kg.

The front of the car has a larger grille and fog lamps and bi-xenon headlights round out the aggressive looking front. Side on you notice the integrated roof spoiler and the side skirts make the car appear to sit lower than it actually is. While the dual exhaust tailpipes and metallic diffuser and Sport only 16-inch alloy wheels add to the aggressive look.

The Swift Sport is available in six colours – Champion Yellow, Ablaze Red, Boost Blue, Snow White, Premium Silver and Super Black. With the Swift Sport, Suzuki has developed a car that has a lighter and stiffer body with a low centre of gravity allowing the car to turn corners at almost unthinkable speeds with no body roll whatsoever and only a slight hint of under/over steer.