Photo: CarPix
It's a little-known fact that just about every Japanese car sold in Europe has an AWD variant in Japan. Even those little box cars that are powered by 0.66-liter engines have this option because winters are harsh there. But the Swift isn't technically all that Japanese because it's designed for the European market and built in Hungary, just like the SX4 (S-Cross).
Still, this test prototype that was recently spied by our photographers appears to have pro shafts peeking out of the middle of the steel wheels and a transfer case in the middle. Clearances next to the exhaust pipe on the right are a little tight, although this is to be expected for such a tiny car.
The Swift is sold all over the world and also has locally manufactured versions for China or India. The Sagara factory in Japan also makes this subcompact hatchback, and all these are reasons for offering an all-wheel drive variant.
We're not particularly fond of the Baleno 5-door model launched by Suzuki in Europe. It's too cheaply made, even by Dacia standards. However, every automotive journalist has a soft spot for the little Swift and adding AWD, a feature that's almost never available in this segment, would strengthen the brand.
Suzuki has made impressive strides in the engine department as well. The Baleno has a 1-liter turbo engine, and there's no way the Swift isn't going to offer it. Downsizing to a turbo is the preferred way to lower emissions while still offering customers the power they expect.
Suzuki has also developed a 1.4-liter turbo. You may have seen it on the Vitara S, where it offers all of 140 horsepower. We mention that engine because it would be a great fit for the Suzuki Swift Sport in place of the existing 1.6-liter. Sure, naturally aspirated units have a better response, but if you want to go fast, it's better to have more grunt.
Another thing Suzuki seems to be good at is keeping weight down, as the Vitara S tips the scales at 1,210 kilograms. When your crossover is 200 kilograms lighter than a Nissan Juke, a subcompact should be feather-like.
As far as the design is concerned, the leaked photos from March should give you a pretty good idea of what the 2017 Swift will look like. A much larger air intake and LED daytime runners should define the front, while a longer profile previews improved interior space.
The Swift is sold all over the world and also has locally manufactured versions for China or India. The Sagara factory in Japan also makes this subcompact hatchback, and all these are reasons for offering an all-wheel drive variant.
We're not particularly fond of the Baleno 5-door model launched by Suzuki in Europe. It's too cheaply made, even by Dacia standards. However, every automotive journalist has a soft spot for the little Swift and adding AWD, a feature that's almost never available in this segment, would strengthen the brand.
Suzuki has made impressive strides in the engine department as well. The Baleno has a 1-liter turbo engine, and there's no way the Swift isn't going to offer it. Downsizing to a turbo is the preferred way to lower emissions while still offering customers the power they expect.
Suzuki has also developed a 1.4-liter turbo. You may have seen it on the Vitara S, where it offers all of 140 horsepower. We mention that engine because it would be a great fit for the Suzuki Swift Sport in place of the existing 1.6-liter. Sure, naturally aspirated units have a better response, but if you want to go fast, it's better to have more grunt.
Another thing Suzuki seems to be good at is keeping weight down, as the Vitara S tips the scales at 1,210 kilograms. When your crossover is 200 kilograms lighter than a Nissan Juke, a subcompact should be feather-like.
As far as the design is concerned, the leaked photos from March should give you a pretty good idea of what the 2017 Swift will look like. A much larger air intake and LED daytime runners should define the front, while a longer profile previews improved interior space.
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