The Suzuki Swift Sport is a hot hatch with a mission: to show off the limits of the brand’s athleticism, in a small, funky, and great-to-drive package. And from its stylish, well-proportioned body, to its lively on-road performance, this supermini is an instant success.
The next-generation Swift Sport will arrive in the UK in the spring, and (on paper, at least) will instantly lock horns with warm hatchbacks like the SEAT Ibiza FR. However, as before, it hopes to punch well above its weight and power output.
Fire up the turbocharged 1.4-litre engine and the first thing you’ll notice are the graphics that light up the dashboard. Normally such displays have been reserved for high performance machines like the Nissan GT-R so the Swift’s red-edged digital read-outs serve as a statement of intent, providing everything from fuel consumption to lateral acceleration, turbo boost and even G-force information.
The Swift Sport’s racier theme continues across the dash and seats, around the floor mats and even onto the doors, while the car’s 17-inch alloys, subtle spoiler and stainless steel exhaust tip sets the tone for what to expect on the road.
Based on the same platform as the base car, the Swift Sport actually uses the larger Vitara S crossover’s turbocharged 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine. However, with 10Nm more torque here, the lightweight hatchback offers a big leap in performance and a new level of driving fun. While 138bhp may not sound like much, when the car tips the scales at just 970kg (80kg less than its predecessor), that power output takes on a whole new meaning.
Married to a tight and notchy six-speed manual gearbox, the engine helps the Sport burst out of the blocks like a sprinter, sending power through the front wheels and creating enough punch to hit motorway speeds in no time at all. That extra torque plays an integral role, especially above 3,000rpm, where the turbo springs to life with minimum lag.
There’s no official 0-62mph figure yet, but with its flyweight chassis flattering the power level, a time of around 8 seconds could be possible. However, it’s the handling that delights most here.
The Swift’s steering is direct, precise and nicely weighted, and the suspension set-up means the car stays flat as it resists body roll well in tight corners. It turns in briskly with almost no understeer, and brakes with very little pitching and the overall feeling is one of plenty of stability.
Of all the Sport’s attributes, one of the most impressive features is the safety setup, and all included in the predicted £14,500 list price. It gets emergency braking, a drowsiness monitor, radar cruise control and pedestrian detection. Other than the over-active lane departure warning system, it all feels really well integrated, too.
Official fuel economy and emissions figures will be announced closer to the car’s launch next year along with spec levels, but given its lightweight body and Suzuki’s reputation for value, we can only presume the Sport will aim to match its rivals in these areas.
We can’t wait to try the Euro-spec Swift Sport back in the UK, in fact, but the signs from this early drive in Japan are positive. With its fresh new body, perky turbo motor, great handling and low price, this new warm hatch has the credentials to seriously challenge the best in the class from Europe – and potentially win.
- Model: Suzuki Swift Sport
- Price: £14,500 (est)
- Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol
- Power/torque: 138bhp/230Nm
- Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: TBC
- Top speed: TBC
- Economy/CO2: 46.0mpg/TBC
- On sale: Spring 2018
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