Summarize

Suzuki has revolutionised its popular Swift Sport with this all-new 90 kilogram lighter 100 kilowatt-per-tonne 103kW 230Nm turbocharged 1.4-litre weapon set to epitomise its own featherlight seat-of-the-pants driving credo as it turns the entry hot hatch world squarely on its head. 

The compact 3kW more powerful 70Nm torquier variable valve timed direct petrol injection turbo 1373cc Engine of the Year  Boosterjet mill gets an electronically controlled wastegate, while a 10% lighter and significantly more rigid chassis further contributes to much improved 8 second 0-100km/h in and 205km/h performance.

There’s a choice of two rapid shift optimised six-speed gearboxes in an improved manual or a new paddle shift automatic, while speed-sensitive power steering, custom Monroe dampers, thicker anti-roll bars, integrated single-unit hubs and increased spring and damper rates up front along with a unique rear trailing rear suspension makes for race-like handling and road holding. Bigger, thicker ventilated disc brakes improve stopping ability by 10% too.

Sport has a lower, wider and longer stance thanks to an all-new front end with a splitter and a reverse-slanted honeycomb grille, light-bar DRL LED headlamps and integrated fog lights. Add smart 195/50R16 low-profile shod 16” diamond cut alloys, carbon patterned side under-spoilers, privacy glass, a rear spoiler and acoustically engineered twin chrome exhausts.

A red and chrome detailed cabin gets body-hugging semi-bucket seats, a thick-rimmed D-shaped multifunction steering wheel and stainless pedals. A colour multi-info LCD display splits unique Sport dials and there's 7” touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and USB connectivity plus a reverse camera.

Add auto climate, power and folding wing mirrors and power windows too, six airbag, side impact, ISOFIX and child lock ESP safety enhanced by Electronic Stability Control and EBS and emergency ABS braking. Swift Sport comes with a 4-year/60 000km service plan and a monster 5-year 200 000km warranty at R315K for the manual and R335K for the auto.