New transmission enhances green hatch performance powers
The Suzuki Swift Sport has become a hybrid only as the brand aims to electrify it and meet the upcoming greenhouse gas regulation.
The latest Swift Sport, which goes on sale in the UK in April, has adopted mild-hybrid technology using a 48V setup along with a converted version of the outgoing car's 1,4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
The 48V system helps generate higher levels of torque lower in the rev range, making 173lb ft available from 2000rpm to 3500rpm.
The new powertrain generates 127bhp, allowing the car to reach 0-62mph in 9.1sec and a top speed of 130mph.
An Autocar spokesman told Suzuki: “This is not about total power. We're trying to make the 48v run at a more efficient rate down the rev range.
“The Swift Sport has never been a hot hatch. The Swift Sport is a car to have fun, at good speed, but safely and not get into trouble.”
The front-wheel drive model achieves WLTP certified CO2 emissions of 127 g/km and promises fuel economy of 50.1 MPG, a 6% improvement over the outgoing model.
It retains the lightweight Heartect platform used on the outgoing car, giving it a weight of 1025kg.
Inside, new sport and tinted glass, with digital radio and Bluetooth as standard, as well as a reversing camera, dual-sensor brake support and rear parking sensors.
Adaptive cruise control and LED headlights are now available as standard, an addition over the previous model. The Swift Sport rides on 17 inch alloy wheels.
Suzuki has yet to release pricing for the new Swift Sport, but said there will be a slight increase over the £17,999 starting price of the previous version due to new technology.
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