2018 Suzuki Swift Sport unveiled ahead of Frankfurt show

Compared to the less sporting members of the Swift family, the new Sport has a redesigned front fascia with a larger and more aggressively styled grille.

There's also new alloy wheels, stickier tyres, lowered suspension, black side sill extensions, and a black front lip spoiler. A new rear bumper design is almost a certainty.

Reports indicate the outgoing Sport's 1.6-litre engine will be ditched in favour of a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill shared with the Vitara. In the larger crossover, the 1.4-litre engine produces 103kW of power, and 220Nm of torque.

If correct, the new Sport will be significantly more powerful than the current top-of-the-range model, which has 82kW/160Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

As with other members of the latest Swift range, the new Sport will be light, with rumours suggesting it will tip the scales at around 870 kilograms.

Suzuki will formally introduce and fully detail the new Swift Sport during its press conference at the Frankfurt show on September 12, European time. The company promises the new hatch will bring an "all-new level of excitement for sport minded drivers across the world".

Suzuki's local arm says it is still to confirm local timing, but it is currently aiming for the first half of 2018.

MORE: Swift news, reviews, comparisons and videos
MORE: Everything Suzuki