Test Drive Suzuki SWIFT since 2010 Hatchback
Report on Test Drive Suzuki Swift New Generation. More European
This time, the representative of Suzuki will perform a SWIFT hatchback, belonging to the European classification to the B. Segment. Let's remind you that in August 2010 there was a complete change in this model. We all remember that Furior, who at one time produced her predecessor, will the new SWIFT be able to repeat her success? Today I decided to test the top modification XS. Sports Swift.
Due to the changed form of the front headlights, which occupy a significant part of the wings of the machine, the last generation SWIFT has a new facial expression.
Compared with the previous generation, the new model has become slightly higher, but despite this, the mass of all the front-wheel drive cars of the model range does not exceed 1 ton. It further enhances the feeling of sportiness.
Fuel consumption at the model with front-wheel drive and the variator in mode 10-15 is 23.0 km / l (for models with front-wheel drive and mechanical gearbox, this indicator is 21.0 km / l).
Traditionally, test drives of new models, organized specifically for the press, are held in the Hakone in the summer. This place was chosen primarily because there is quite simple for maneuvering the road. However, it should be noted that any tested car lies in this and a certain disadvantage can easily cope with this track like a sports car. And Suzuki SWIFT is not an exception. It is a good hatchback suitable for daily use, which is why my wife uses the model of the previous generation for 5 years. It has not yet reached the mileage of 15,000 km, however, for 5 years of use, the car did not wear out and continues to delight the right service not surprisingly that the past generation SWIFT had such a grand success among buyers.
But it seems I'm starting to move away from the topic. Let's go back to our Suzuki Swift on the highway in Hakone. I have a bad habit of starting any test drive with rapid acceleration. By following this time, I was so surprised by the result that for a while I thought seriously, if I did not take a mistake behind the wheel of a sports car instead of SWIFT.
And indeed, from the very beginning, the new SWIFT is able to make a more favorable impression, allowing the driver to feel himself driving a real sports monster. Even when I completely drowned the accelerator pedal to the floor, the return of the car surpassed all my expectations. Honestly, I first see that the usual hatchback for everyday use was equipped with a similar engine and suspension. Let me remind you that for testing a test trip, I chose the front-wheel drive modification XS. From the entire series with 1.2 liter engines, this model demonstrates the greatest sportiness. The size of its discs is increased to 16 inches, slightly reinforced brakes. The suspension, however, was not subject to any changes. All models of this series have identified power units. And it is the power transmission that makes the greatest contribution to the sportiness of the car. The power and torque indicators have not changed from the time of the previous generation, but now the motor is equipped with a VVT timing phase regulation system. But, probably, the most significant improvement was the transition to a new variator: the previously used AISIN was replaced by Jatco. In order to ensure more efficient torque transmission, the belt variator is equipped with an additional transmission. Nissan has already equipped two models such as CVT: March and Juke. Here the Suzuki concern began to equip this system compact cars. Due to the presence of an additional gearbox, this system is unlikely to be called stepless, rather it is more like a two-stage gearbox. In any case, as it is not called, it works on perfectly.
Now much easier
The dashboard is made in black colors. Modification XS is also equipped with stealing switches. In the test car, an optional CD player was installed with an integrated AM / FM radio transmitter (57 330 yen or $ 755), as well as with a USB port and a USB cable (8 348 yen or $ 110).
The variator with an additional gearbox is targeted primarily on the economical fuel consumption.
Luggage compartment with partition and an additional compartment for things under the floor.
When the number of revolutions reaches 4,000, the power unit demonstrates a good torque that is not peculiar to the undead 1,2-liter motors. The XS modification can also be equipped with a variator with 7 fixed transmission with submissive petals. By the way, I did not miss the opportunity to ride on the XG model with a 5-speed manual transmission, but, to say, the usual gearboxes seem to be obsolete and did not make a special impression. Another thing is a new smart variator, the effective work of which can be compared with the DSG box from Volkswagen (robotic gearbox with two clutches). Fuel consumption in cars with a robot and a variator in test mode 10-15 is much lower than that of machines with a standard mechanical gearbox.
Well, the new SWIFT demonstrates its sportiness on winding plots. Since the time of the previous generation, the suspension has undergone a number of high-quality changes and has become much tougher. The electronic amplifier has an electronic amplifier. The steering wheel has high accuracy, which is especially well noticeable during the start of the car. Externally, the new model is not so much different from the old one. Nevertheless, the wheelbase increased by 4 cm, and the height of the car is 10 cm. The platform was designed by a new project. However, despite the overall increase in the size of the body, the car was marked noticeably, and now the overted mass of all modifications with the front-wheel drive does not exceed 1 ton. Thanks to this, the new SWIFT is subject to the lowest mass tax among all cars of its category.
A considerable contribution to a decrease in the total mass of the car has made and widespread use of sheet steel when developing a new platform. The policy of Suzuki is aimed at the production of lungs, but durable cars. In order for the design of the car is not too fragile, all its key sites are strengthened. Following the way to ensure the machine with maximum strength, the rear door threshold has done higher. Once, my wife and I went to the above-mentioned SWIFT of the previous generation went to the department store for a cone for our Middle Size Dog. Unfortunately, the Kura did not go to the back door height, and we had to hire a truck to take it to the house. It seems that in the luggage compartment of the new SWIFT, this conserve would not fit and is suppressed.
Conducting a comparison with Nissan March
All models are equipped with an adjustment of the driver's seat in height. The seat can be lifted by 38 mm and lowered 20 mm. Seats in XS modifications are equipped with armrests
The rear seats are laid out in proportions 60/40. In the modifications of XL and XS, the backs of the rear seats have two levels of inclination.
Recently, the model of the main SWIFT competitor model in the Nissan March automotive market was held. If you compare the models among yourself, SWIFT will certainly look more sporty and easy to handle. If in Nissan March, the main emphasis was made on cost-effectiveness, and in general the model became more aimed at the weak floor, in SWIFT the main value was given by the chart characteristics, and the model has an obvious European flavor. Slogan More Swift would be better replaced by more european. And indeed, the planned annual production volume for the inner Japanese market is 48,000 models, while the plant in Hungary plans to produce 100,000 cars for Europe. The first generation of SWIFT, released in 2000, was nothing noticeable hatchback, which could not boast of outstanding running qualities. Following this fall of 2004, the second generation has undergone a number of dramatic changes, the European Compact Cars in terms of indicators. British car magazine, Karita, known for his eaten criticism, set him five points out of five (for comparison, the 2000 model at one time received only one score).
Personally, I believe that, do not do the Swift of the previous generation, such a huge step forward, it is unlikely that today the world would see the Alliance between Suzuki and the German Giant Volkswagen. Of course, the German concern did not affect the new SWIFT in terms of production. However, why in the future, for example, do not help equip a SWIFT Sport Sport DSG system?
Specifications Suzuki SWIFT
Full length: 3 850 mm
Full width: 1,695 mm
Full height: 1 510 mm
Wheel base: 2 430 mm
Weight: 990 kg
Drive: Front
Engine: 1,2-liter row 4-cylinder engine DOHC 16 valves, power 91 hp At 6,000 rpm, the maximum torque is 12.0 kg-m at 4,800 rpm.
Cost: 1 475 250 yen (about $ 19,400)
Cost of the test car: 1 538 250 yen (about $ 20 240)
A source: webCG.net.
