Episode III: Revenge of the Swift

MANILA, Philippines - Its ancestor was launched in 1983 and known as the Suzuki Cultus in Japan.

Today, the Suzuki Swift is quite a common sight on local roads. To be honest, the spunky-looking subcompact invites comparisons with the iconic Mini Cooper, but the Swift has managed to assert its character and distinguish itself with unique design elements. It’s become a sort of cult classic itself.

With the third chapter in the Swift story, Suzuki builds upon the legacy of its feisty little roadster by literally bulking up the vehicle. Manufacturer specs point to a 2.5 percent increase in length and a 1.6 percent increase in wheelbase measurement. The black-tinted A- and B-pillars are a classy touch, and adds to the roominess. It’s not an artificial effect, either, because the growth can be felt inside – translating to more space for occupants (good for four or five).

Speaking of which, comforts abound here: from must-have cup holders (in both front and the rear) to a USB input-enabled audio system featuring steering wheel-integrated audio controls plus a generous six-speaker set up. Got lots of stuff to store? Slip them into the seatback or door pockets.

When you collapse the 60:40 split folding rear seat, you realize a scrumptious 533 liters of cargo space for those days you pull errand duty. An additional “double-floor system” in the trunk means even more cargo capacity.

Up front, the instrument cluster has been redesigned. A digital information system now shows the time, fuel consumption, external temperature, and anticipated range for the fuel.

Those who were sufficiently enamored with the Swift’s fascia and general appearance need not fret over the “all-new tag”. The Swift retains much of its, well, Swift-ness. In a release, Suzuki says the “hallmark oversized and elongated headlamps, wraparound windscreen, and assertive stance that made the second-gen Suzuki Swift an attention magnet” are back. The sportiness is still there, thank you very much, and Suzuki knows well enough to leave that alone.

However, being an “attention magnet” also means you have to back up your bark.

Under the hood of the all-new Suzuki Swift is a 1.4-liter heart – good for 94 hp and 130 Nm. Notably, Suzuki has done some weight reduction moves on the power plant (to offset the slight beef-up, we’re sure) by using aluminum alloy material on the cylinder head, a lighter plastic cylinder head cover, along with lighter pistons and narrower crankshaft bearings.

Electronic throttle control now comes standard on the new Swift (it was previously available solely on the Sport variant), bestowing enhanced engine management control, launch feel, better fuel economy, and reduced emissions.

Suzuki claims a miserly fuel consumption of 18.2 kilometers per liter – not bad news at all in these days of insane pump prices.

You can have your Swift mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Suzuki says the manual has an “assist mechanism” and improved “shift lever H-pattern” that reduces the effort needed to “row through the different ratios,” among other niceties. The automatic, on the other hand, features “lock-up slip control for a wide lock-up range, and suppresses torque converter slip at light acceleration loads.”

The all-new Suzuki Swift was formally launched recently at the 2nd Suzuki AutoMoto Convention at Sofitel, and is priced at P769,000 for the automatic and P729,000 for the manual. It comes in three colors: Ablaze Red, Snow White Pearl, and Star Silver Metallic.

Here’s hoping we can swiftly get behind the wheel of one.