Swift adds to a big rep

Suzuki engineers have improved dynamics and carbon emissions of the third generation Swift. Photo / Supplied

Suzuki expects its new Swift to dominate the small-car segment of the market in much the same way as the previous model did, despite the new model's slightly bigger dimensions.

The new five-door hatchback takes over from an car that has topped the best-seller list in New Zealand for some time. It was practical, refined, well built - and well priced.

The third-generation example contains the same mix, equally well-proportioned, with a weight loss for improved dynamics and fuel economy and a crash-test rating among the best in class.

"We are delighted new Swift has emerged so well from these international crash tests because it confirms just how safe smaller cars have become," said Tom Peck, general manager of marketing for Suzuki New Zealand.

"If the new model follows in the wheeltracks of its predecessor by becoming the best selling small car in our market, it also means many New Zealanders will be driving a vehicle with superbly high safety standards."

The new Swift achieved 94 per cent in adult occupant testing, 82 per cent in child occupant tests, 62 per cent in pedestrian tests and 71 per cent in safety assistance, a plus-80 per cent average that earned it a maximum five-stars.

The latest Swift is 3850mm long - 90mm longer than the outgoing model. The wheelbase is up 40mm to 2430mm, body width increases only slightly to 1695mm, and overall height rises 10mm to 1510mm.

Despite a bigger body and more equipment, weight in five-speed manual form is 1005kg - 35kg less than its predecessor. The five-speed automatic model weighs in at 1035kg - 25kg less than the outgoing car.

Engineers shaved weight every which way. The rear axle stabiliser is now 2kg lighter; the 14-inch front disc brakes drop 500g; the rear drums lose 3kg.

The anti-lock braking and electronic stability control unit is one of the smallest in the world, with the ABS mechanicals down from 1.7kg to 1.2kg, and the ESP unit at 1.7kg instead of 2.5kg. A revised steering system saves another 1kg.

The Swift is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol unit delivering 70kW/130Nm to the front wheels via five-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox.

Power is down 5kW on the previous 1.5-litre model's 75kW but engineers have designed the new engine for better low- and mid-range performance.

Suzuki says the 1.4-litre unit produces between 10 and 12 per cent lower CO2 exhaust emissions. It claims fuel economy for the manual model of 5.5litres/100km (51mpg), a 14.7 per cent gain over the old Swift.

The automatic is a claimed 8 per cent more efficient, returning 6.2 litres/100 km (45.6mpg) compared with 6.7 litres/100 km (42.2 mpg) for the older car.

Toyota Corolla was the best-selling car in New Zealand last year with 4890 sales. Suzuki sold 2724 Swifts in 2010. Independent sales figures show Toyota sold more Swifts to private buyers in 2010 than Toyota did with Corolla. Suzuki can Swift is the most popular private-owner car in the country.