2011 Suzuki Swift R Concept to debut at Beijing Motor Show

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By Brett Davis | October 14th, 2010

Suzuki has upped the ante in the sporty hot hatch segment with this, the Suzuki Swift R Concept. It’s said to take personality and design cues from the range of Suzuki GSX-R supersport motorbikes.

The current Suzuki Swift is starting to get a little old now since it was launched in 2004. This concept is a way of Suzuki reminding us that it knows a thing or two when it comes to the hot hatch segment. The Swift has always been one of the, if not the most driver-oriented hatches in the segment, too, this looks like it’ll have no trouble reinforcing that.

The new concept features all the right enhancements, enough to whet appetites far and wide in the world of driving enthusiasts. Lowered and hunkered-down sports suspension, as well as a fatter track and sprouted camber settings compared to the Sport variant, the car looks like it’d be a hoot around any track or strip of road.

Under the bonnet is said to exhibit considerable upgrades although Suzuki hasn’t confirmed any definite details. Speculators say the car will get a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, outputting up to 134kW. But it’s not outright power that is the key here, it’s light weight agility that will make this R Concept excellent fun.

The exterior features a number of enhancements over the current lineup too, including a bespoke ‘R’ bodykit said to mimic fairing designs seen on the GSX-R1000 motorbike.

Pricing and production details are yet to be confirmed. Suzuki has said it will unveil the car at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2011 though. We’ll keep you updated.

Blitzkrieg

looks cool.
Nelson

1.4l turbo?

Give it the 2.0 + Turbo and I might even trade my XR5 for this little beast.

Trade my XR5 no way in hell!

nelson

So just because I said that I have a Ford Focus XR5 I get bashed on votes?

Envy is a sad thing…

FORD FOCUS XR5 has the best chassis in the market!

This car with a 1.4l engine won’t be as good as the Sport with the 2.0l engines fact!

We don’t know how to drive manual do we?

Shak

No, you sir got voted won because you are a tool. A focus costs MUCH MUCH more, and not to mention is a whole class bigger. Way different markets.

Joker

I agree with the Tool sentiment but I would have to say, the Swift Sport which is 27K on the road is a 2nd Hand XR5 Turbo in terms of value, or you can shell out an extra 6-7K and get a brand newy.
I love Swifts and this thing is bound to be a rocket but I would expect it to easily cost north of 30K any day of the week if they actually decide to mass produce it. BFYB + and practicality Would go to the XR5. Add a Flash tune, CAI, Springs and you have a very nice 200kw+ Hot Hatch.

http://caradvice OSU811

the new swift Sport is actually advertised on the suzuki web site for $24,490 DRIVE AWAY RRP. so is at least $13-$14k cheaper than a new price of a XR5 DRIVE AWAY!!
so totally different market!
Joker

I’d say there was a price drop then.

I remember them being 27K on the road when they came onto the market. XR5′s were going for 34k on the road, well I know which one I would take.
Each to there own, they are different markets, yes but a lot of people will go into the Market looking at a Hot Hatch and evaluate them based on performance and Practicality, I believe people will shell out a bit more cash on to get a bigger boot and more leg space for passengers (or even …dare I say…Kids??).
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the Swift Concept, it looks fantastic and I have for a long time been an avid supporter of the Suzuki Brand. This car will be fantastic.
I’ve owned the standard model and it was a hoot to drive. It’s just that I think the projected cost (given the Sport is 25k) will have a lot of people venturing into the “bigger” hot hatch market (other than the Swift GTI Purists and those who are younger with less commitments)

Igomi Watabi

I thought you got bashed on votes because you didn’t read the article, and the point about the emphasis being on “lightweight agility”. Whatever is saod about the costs of the Swift vs Focus, or the different markets in which they are competing, it’s just that it’s a different car. Which is cool. I like the Focus XR5, but, yeah, the article states pretty clearly wat they’re going for here.

BTW, I saw a Focus RS the other day, a bit surprising in this tiny little remote town, soming out of the local Ford dealer. Nice.

bangel

MMMM 1.4l turbo sounds familia , ah thats right VAG owns 20% of suzuki , should be a great car .

Hung Low

The 20% stake might be enough for VAG to learn how to build a profitable, reliable and half decent small car!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=554686141 Travis Hammond

If they want to take ques for the Gixxer range… why not put a turbo hyabusa engine in there?!? it would make a fair dose more than 134Kw… hell a stock one makes 128Kw

Dennis

I don’t think the Hayabusas powerband would be suitable for a car…

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=554686141 Travis Hammond

Sure it would … thought probably only on a track.

JooberGTi

Yer. A whopping 132Nm at 7000RPM’s with a weight of a car over a bike, it will go as fast as a scooter day to day driving.

asin

Why is the concept based on the “old” swift? Or is this just an old picture from another concept that Suzuki made?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

I saw pics of this a few months ago. Put it sale now cause I want one

fred flinstone

Yani , you want everything.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

lol i know!

ANF

Look like a Japanese Kids gone crazy on this one. Plus if your over 20 you couldnt drive one of these looking like that

Hung Low

Speak for yourself buddy!

yowza

Looks tough!

The 5 spoke is nice, but I’ve seen a lot put 10 spokes and even Multi-fin spokes and they suit the car better, basically a lot of small cars look nice with wheels with a lot of spokes.
nelson

This car with a 1.4l engine won’t be as good as the Sport with the 2.0l engines fact!
LukasUtopia

Will give the Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup a run for it’s money. By that I mean it will be two thirds the price (AUD) and be 90% of the fun.

LukasUtopia

But half as exclusive – the price to pay.

Hung Low

If it looks like that, it would be one of the hottest looking little cars around and priced the same as the current model it would sell well.
But I have given up on Suzuki’s concepts as their production models are so watered down, they end up looking generic. Look at the original Swift, SX4, Kizashi concepts and look the production versions!
Kris

Slightly off topic, but Suzuki will have a turbo charged Kizashi on display at the Sydney Motor Show. Road Race Motorsports in the US have developed a very nice turbo kit from all reports.

Shak

How do you know.

Joker

It’s been big news on autoblog a couple of months back.
US Customers want a Turbo 4 and I believe Suzuki will be prepared to Bend. Kizashi with a Golf GTI 2.0 FSI Anyone?

toxic_horse

Roadrace also do a turbo kit for SX4. its 4 grand and now would be the time order with the exchange rate as it is.

Hung Low

Like in the States, it would be nice if Suzuki Australia would provide dealer backing for this kit.
An AWD turbo SX4 for around $30k would be a great option to have!

Baddass

Why is it the old model when the new one has just been released? Is it a teaser shot of what the new one will look like?
My Cars Called T-Rex

I like it,looks chunky and muscular,like a car version of a staffordshire bull terrier.
A little dog with a mean bite.
david suzuki

that is so rice boy and hot4!!
crownleyian

Renault Clio 4 the Win!

It is the champ in this segment regardless of it’s price here in Oz.
Graham H

My wife and I have had five swifts since 2007. My wife picks up her new GLX on Monday. Compared to the old (2009 RE4) they are certainly mre refined and look forward to starting the car before we get inside!
Sorry Suzuki but very disappointed…the Swift has been begging for a sixth gear since 2005, at a price of $23k I think that sort of money can command a larger vehicle like a Mazda 3 and for a classy pocket rocket the VW Polo offers a DSG transmission that is six or seven speed.
Suzuki is riding the coat tails of Japans sucess. The Australian Open Road Car of the year for 2010…saw no mention of ANY Suzuki in ANY class. The infamouse Kizashi, no mention, the Swift, no mention and the Grahnd Vitara, also no mention. it will be interesting indeed to see how the new 2011 Swift fairs in the 2011 Aussie Car of the year.
Dealers have told me that the Sport has been dropped this year, I cannot believe that the only options are the GA, GL and GLX. Come on Suzuki give us a six speed!
Graham H

Update, Wife picked up New Swift GLX today. No difference in power (her words not mine) only gripe at the moment is the side mirrors in the RE4 swung in at the push of a button…the new GLX however needs to be done manually (not good if it’s raining and you need the strength of Zeus or the forearms of Popeye when they are brand new!)
Suzuki has changed virtually everything (except maybe the “S” emblem on the front grille and the high stop light) A nice and balanced car.
Graham H

My wife took delivery of her new GLX on Monday, only disappointment is a lack of auto button to pull in wing mirrors ( this was a feature we both had on our RE4s), you need the strength of Zeus to pull these in by hand and not good if it’s raining. Also very disappointed no six speed manual ( I don’t think Suzuki knows a six speed gearbox exists, shame on you Suzuki).
We both had RE4s so we noticed virtually e everything has changed except for the high stop light and “S” badge on the front, even the windscreen squirters have moved from the bonnet to the wiper motor cowl.