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Suzuki, with a smidgen of vigor instilled by Volkswagen's investment and interest, brought its Swift S-CONCEPT to the 81st Geneva International Motor Show this year.
Building on its hot hatch heritage, Suzuki's Swift S-CONCEPT is the manufacturer's attempt to remind people that they're still around in the segment. Although this concept is based on the latest Swift (which debuted in Europe in 2010), the S-CONCEPT is lower and wider than its regular production counterparts. Scroll down for the specs.
Suzuki added just the right amount of sporty styling under that garish yellow, such as revised fascias, new lights, a large rear wing and fifteen-spoke 18's wrapped around beefy 225/45 R18 tires. Inside are sport buckets and seating for four accented by carbon fiber trim. Put together, these factors have created a neat little hot hatch that looks the part. No word on what's lurking under the concept model's hood - if there's anything, that is.
Designed to go up against cars like VW's Polo GTI and Ford's upcoming Fiesta ST, this sporty concept is a looker that should...should...be able to compete globally. Will we see it in the US? HA! Only if VW's all-powerful leaders decide that Suzuki belongs Stateside. Here's an idea, V-Dub: take on Scion.
By Phil Alex
"Technical data:
Length: 3,890 mm
Width: 1.755 mm
Height: 1,475 mm
Wheelbase: 2,430 mm
Engine: M16A (1.6 L)
Drive: Front wheel drive
Tires: 225/45R18
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Color: Lightning Yellow Pearl (Geneva 2011 Special Edition)"
Building on its hot hatch heritage, Suzuki's Swift S-CONCEPT is the manufacturer's attempt to remind people that they're still around in the segment. Although this concept is based on the latest Swift (which debuted in Europe in 2010), the S-CONCEPT is lower and wider than its regular production counterparts. Scroll down for the specs.
Ever since Suzuki presented the latest generation of the Swift in the summer of 2010, we were wondering if the Japanese automaker had any plans to add a sportier version to its supermini's range. Well, it appears that Suzuki does have something in mind as the company will be exhibiting a new concept car named the SWIFT S-CONCEPT at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
All we get for now is a teaser rendering showing the latest Swift sub-compact dressed in a new and more aggressive outfit with blistered front wheel arches, a new front bumper and grille design, unique headlamps and exterior mirrors plus a large roof wing.
According to Suzuki, the overall development concept was to create "a stylish sport compact with premium performance." Apparently we'll have to wait until the Geneva Salon to find out what the Japanese automaker has up its sleeve.
Even though the Japanese automaker's people did a pretty good job of bagging the prototype, it's not hard to see that the new Swift will keep its MINI-like design feel. However, the pictures suggest that it will boast larger and more prominent head- and tail lamps.
We don't have any details about the powertrain options, but buyers should expect a range of mainstream four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, as well as a more potent unit for the flagship Sport model.
MODIFICATION SUZUKI SWIFTMODIFICATION SUZUKI SWIFTMODIFIKASI SUZUKI SWIFT
The special edition Swift Sport gets "Rock am Ring" branded logos inside and out along with a new entertainment system that comprises of a Clarion navigation system (TMC) with a 6.9-inch color display, 30GB of storage for music, an iPod adapter and more powerful speakers.
The company said that it will offer the Kizashi with all-wheel drive as standard while power will be provided by the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine used on the N.A.-spec model.
The four-cylinder unit churns out 185 HP when linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and 178HP when mated to a CVT.
The Japanese maker is also planning to expand the Kizashi's range in the very near future with a more powerful V6 petrol engine as well as a hybrid version, though it is not clear if these variants will make it to Europe.
We don't know yet if it's technically feasible (and economically viable), but Suzuki's recent tie up with Volkswagen could see the Kizashi sedan being offered with a much-needed in Europe, diesel engine sourced from the German Group.
Together with the Kizashi, Suzuki will also display in Geneva the Swift Plug-in Hybrid that was first introduced at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show as well as new variants of the three-and five-door Grand Vitara with a redesigned rear hatch that does away with the spare tire box.
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki exhibited its latest 'green' concept studies for the future including a Swift with Plug-in Hybrid and an SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV). The hybrid version of the Swift is a supermini aimed at city dwellers that travel around 20 km (about 13 miles) a day and has been designed to be driven primarily on electric power.It is equipped with 600cc engine that is used to charge a lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor if capacity level drops. The batter can also be charged through any domestic plug socket.
Suzuki did not release any performance or fuel economy figures nor did it say if it intends to produce the Swift Plug-in Hybrid in the future.
The other 'green' study on display at Suzuki's Tokyo Motor Show booth is the is the SX4 FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) which combines a General Motors-sourced high performance fuel cell with a Suzuki developed high pressure hydrogen tank and a compact capacitor that is used to recover energy during braking and using it to reduce fuel cell loading under acceleration.
The SX4 FCV is currently under test on public roads in Japan as Suzuki plans to to commercialize the car in the near future.
Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid
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Suzuki SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle
