Scintillating Suzuki Swift

A quick jab to the feels from trusted Japanese carmaker.
Augetto Graig
Augetto Graig

Suzuki’s latest model Swift is a dream within reach of the aspiring young Namibian. This motor vehicle is powered by a 1.2 litre K12M petrol engine, is two-wheel driven, with a manual gearshift and faux-bucket seats. The tagline in the brochure is #FeelsRight.

It certainly does. The three-spoke steering wheel is obstreperously thin, adding to a sauciness which can easily characterise the Swift driving experience. Now thanks to a lighter body and more power, this cheeky runabout can bend the road rules a little, inspired by nice acceleration and alert responsiveness.

The K12M is a four-cylinder, 12 valve lightweight little fuel-frugal powerhouse. It can kick out 61 kW of power at 6000 rpm and generate 113 Nm of torque at 4 200 rpm. Maximum speed is about 170 km/h according to the manufacturer. Get the revs up a little if you want to get the heart of this enthusiastic automobile racing.

The fuel injection works wonderfully with the variable value technology to give every gear a second wind between 3 000 and 4 000 rpm.

Overall width is now 1735 mm and the gross vehicle weight is 1315 kg. The high-tensile steel used in the upper and underbody delivers on lightness and rigidity to ensure enhanced driving performance and fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency is another big plus the Swift offers its owners. Average fuel consumption is 4.9 litres per 100km.

Other practical and appealing features include the surprising abundance of interior space. Three big boys could definitely fill up the backseats with a little elbow room to spare for the long road. The new Swift also features a bigger boot that before, meaning more space for the luggage in the back.

Officially, the maximum luggage capacity volume for the vehicle is 268 litres with the seats up, but if the big boys in the back get out and the seats go down that increases to 579 litres, and with both parts of the rear backrest down, to 953 litres. Enterprising individuals could even move house overnight with that kind of space.

The Swift also doesn’t skimp on creature comforts. Electric windows front and rear, central door locking with the kill-switch on the driver’s side, remote-controlled door locks connected to the hazard lamps.

The air-conditioning is manual. The easily reachable USB port, Aux input and 12 V accessory socket makes up for that small inconvenience. The remote fuel lid opener button even more so.

Safety is always of great concern, especially with the prospect of driving everyone else around in the end; or even having more needy acquaintances getting overly familiar with the Swift’s welcoming interior. Luckily Suzuki’s light, impact-absorbing TECT (Total Effective Control Technology) body has evolved with the use of a new platform and computerised structural analysis, to efficiently absorb and disperse energy in the event of a collision.

The vehicle comes with ABS for better stability and to help prevent wheel lock during emergency braking, occupant-protective SRS airbags and a pedestrian injury mitigating body. The impact-absorbing bonnet, as well as wiper system and front bumper, are designed to mitigate pedestrian head and leg injuries in the event of a collision. Both the driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat come standard with SRS airbags.

Starting from a little less that N$170 000 for the entry-level GA model, the Swift embodies Sukuzi’s idea of value for money. The GL version will cost about N$180 000 while the automatic top-of-the-line rendition is priced at just under N$200 000. The Swift also enjoys a five-year, 200 000 km factory warrantee now, after it was increased from two years’ coverage in 2017.

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Republikein 2024-11-23

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