2012 Suzuki Swift Sport 100kW & Paddles
The new Suzuki Swift Sport is expected to go on sale in Australia by early next year.
With the previous-generation Swift Sport gathering a cult following around the world (thanks in part to its performance in junior world rally championship) the second-generation Swift has been begging for a sportier version since its launch in February.
Sources inside Suzuki told CarAdvice the next-generation Swift Sport would be offered in a lightweight three-door hatch body type only and produce at least 100kW of power.
The new 2012 Suzuki Swift Sport, which will have to compete with strong competition from major stakeholder Volkswagen's Polo GTI as well as upcoming hot-hatches from Ford's Fiesta family, has got a lot of pressure to perform.
CarAdvice believes the new sporty Swift (which we would love to see called Swift GTI) will be available with either a six-speed manual (as opposed to five for the previous model) and also an automatic with paddle-shifters, which should help increase sales significantly.
Details of the engine are still unconfirmed but we believe it will be a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with at least 100kW. Match that to a lightweight body and a good gearbox and the new Sport begins to sound rather good.
Swift fans can see early glimpses of the next Sport by having a look at the Swift S-Concept at the upcoming Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne which runs from July 1-10.