Suzuki Swift test drive since 2010 hatchback

Suzuki Swift. Without brakes

Suzuki Swift Price: from 599,000 r. On sale: March 2011

It is very similar to the previous model, but this is not restyling. Oddly enough, Suzuki Swift 2011 model year is a completely new car in the old body

Yes, to recognize the novelty in it immediately. He is very similar to that Suzuki Swift, which since the beginning of production in 2004 as much as 63 times became a car of the year. In 19 countries, he collected many honorary titles and awards. And even became the winner of the international youth rally FIA. Then why come up with a bicycle? Isn't it easier to do the same, but with more outstanding characteristics? That is how they thought on Suzuki and started working on a new model. And so that the work was more fruitful, they came up with the motto: more Swift`a. It is for this that we will try to catch on, in order to understand whether the new car has become really more and how much is better?

Let's start, of course, with dimensions. Wow, 15.5 cm added a new SWIFT in length, but you can’t say right away. As before, the car seems more width than in length, which at one time caused the Japanese designers special pride. Meanwhile, the width of the car remained almost the same. And those 5 mm that were added to the previous 1690, to feel either visually or physically almost impossible. How slightly impressive is the extra centimeter above the head. But the fact that for the sake of stability on the road and for the sake of passengers comfort, the new Swift added in a wheelbase is very good. And it was thanks to this very 40 mm to sit from behind became a little more convenient. In any case, together in the back row, with the average driver and front passenger, sitting is quite comfortable. Unless the armrest is not enough, but it is not even in the maximum configuration.

We did not fail to evaluate the trunk. As before, its size is not enthusiastic, but if you do not purchase products for a month, the volume is enough to feed the average family for a week. If desired, having sacrificed the entire passenger or the entire rear row (the second -row back folding separately, you can try to transport in a car and large -sized things. Just hope that the floor of the trunk and folded backs of the back row of seats form a flat surface, is not worth it. It is not worth it to assume that in comparison with the old model the trunk has become larger for the new one. On the contrary, it is even less. Not much, but still less.

But why, except for growth in dimensions, the new SWIFT has more?

If you think about it, then, in fact, nothing. No, of course, you can go through the number of cup holders per capita or to conduct as an innovation for the first time on this model a pocket in the back of the front passenger seat. But not that, as it seems to us, is waiting for a potential buyer from the new model. He is waiting for more drive. And here the smaller one becomes big. First of all, we are talking about the car body. Having become easier, it nevertheless became tougher, which positively affects the controllability of any car. Move on. In order to reduce the rolls in corners, the engineers deliberately increased the rigidity of the suspension. To increase the brake efficiency, the thickness of the brake discs is increased. To improve controllability and reduction of lens, the car was equipped with a new steering mechanism with a variable gear ratio. And even the tires of the new model, in order to improve handling, have a smaller profile.

Well, now the most important thing. The new engine has become weaker than the old. Disappointed? We, too. Previously, the car was supplied to our market with a 1.5 -litrious 105 -horsepower power unit. Now, under the hood of the new SWIFT, there is a 1.2 -fraud 94 -horsepower power unit. And no matter how technological and highly effective, judging by the ratio of volume and power, it is clearly not enough to actually feel all the charm of what the car has so seriously redeemed. Even with a mechanical gearbox, the dynamics leaves much to be desired. At our disposal there was a car in the maximum configuration, with a 4 -speed automatic. And this is 13.5 seconds to hundreds and a car whose exterior is impregnated with dynamics, and the interior unequivocally hints at some kind of sports, is forced to divide the laurels of victories in traffic lights with priors and viburnum, however, you need to pay tribute, the car will steer really well. He practices irregularities and suspension well. Although a couple of times before the breakdown he still came to the case.
Moreover, oddly enough, it was not on frank potholes, but on fairly gentle bumps and holes. But she is no dynamics. The car is just driving and that's it. Neither you drive, nor for you courage. And the question involuntarily arises: who will now become the main buyer of this car? Suzuki claims that this will be a wide target audience, people aged 25 to 45 years, who love an active lifestyle and preach aggressive and high -speed driving, is quite likely, but not with this box and not with this engine. However, if you accelerate, you really will really have to slow down in the turns on this car. The car holds on the road is just great.

A little story
The first Swift in the Suzuki lineup appeared now in the distant 1983. The car was so successful that the first generation was produced about six years. Inspired by success, in 1995, the Japanese set up the assembly of the car in Hungary. There was a charged version of this car. The SPORT prefixes meant a 125-horsepower engine that works paired with a manual box. Shustrika besieged more powerful brakes. In addition, the suspension was significantly modified.

Test pilot
Oleg Kalaushin
Age: 41 years old
Work: Automobile journalist
Driving experience: 22 years
Personal car: Renault Logan

- Despite the fact that the car was a success in the width, there is still nothing to do in the back row.
- Automatic box has no manual switching.
- The trunk is small, but it will come down to the city.

DRIVING
High -level controllability. The brakes are quite adequate, but the dynamics leaves much to be desired.

SALON
It is quite spacious, given the small external dimensions of the machine.

COMFORT
Noise insulation is clearly insufficient. Otherwise, everything is quite decent.

SAFETY
7 airbags, ESP in the basic configuration.

PRICE
Obviously overstated, given the configuration.


ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
+ Memorable appearance. Build quality, salon decoration materials. The thoughtfulness of the interior. Decent equipment.
- insufficient engine power. mediocre dynamics.

SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions 3850x1695x1510 mm
Gasoline engine, 1242 cm3,
94 L.C./6000 min-1,
118 nm/4800 min-1
The transmission is automatic., 4 -t.
Dynamics 160 km/h, 13.5 s to 100 km/h
Fuel consumption is 5.6 l/100 km in the mixture. cycle
Competitors Citroone C3, Mazda 2, Skoda Fabia

Our opinion
The new Suzuki Swift has everything. And a memorable appearance, and a high -quality interior, and quite spacious, given the dimensions, salon. The machine is not deprived in terms of controllability. However, the main thing is that there is no output is a clockwork nature. The power of the engine does not fit with the appearance of the machine, and this must be prepared.


Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov

 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [July 2011]