| 2010 Suzuki Swift | ||||
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Fun to drive, cost-effective and neatly styled, the prior era Swift was a substantial good results. It notched up no less than 63 diverse automobile from the yr awards about the planet and accounts for any third of your manufacturers UK sales, so it’s simple to comprehend why Suzuki is not keen to change the car’s styling also radically. And keeping the seems to be is no bad move, because the new Suzuki Swift nevertheless appears neat, but there’s a danger the new design could appear dated in another 5 a long time. A nine centimetre improve in duration is welcome even though, with most of it heading between the front and rear axles, to increase interior space. The cabin continues to be tight – following all, the Swift continues to be less than four metres lengthy – and with a couple of tall individuals within the front there isn’t much room inside the again. The boot is not specifically spacious, even though the split rear seats might be folded to boost load ability. The cabin style is a lot improved, having a contemporary dash incorporating greater top quality switchgear and greater top quality plastics. Equipment levels must be decent as well, even though prices and specifications are but to become confirmed. What Suzuki can confirm is always that all variations is going to be fitted with 7 airbags and ESP as regular. Stop & start technology will likely be made available as an option on the petrol version with manual ‘box. Just one engine might be available when the Swift arrives within the UK this September – a new 1.2-litre petrol engine, with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. A new efficient 1.3-litre turbodiesel will join the line-up in January 2011, with a manual gearbox only. With its 93bhp and 85lb/ft of pulling power, the small and light petrol-powered Swift shouldn’t struggle, but the automatic gearbox we drove isn’t very slick and was a little laborious outside urban areas. Things aren’t helped by the lack of a semi-automatic option – meaning you can’t over-ride the gearbox and select your own gears – but the manual transmission should fare far better. The diesel version feels more energetic, with its more muscular 140lb/ft and 74bhp. Official performance figures have yet to be announced – our exclusive preview is two months before the official first drive – but suffice to say that the diesel can keep up with traffic more happily than the automatic petrol car. Where the diesel falls down is with refinement and even when cruising, the diesel Swift is noisier than you’d expect. Wind and road noise are moderately subdued, but the engine is disappointingly vocal. Low running costs won’t disappoint. Suzuki claims the new Swift is capable of averaging 56.5mpg in petrol form and a very enticing 67.2mpg with diesel power. Road tax ought to be cheap also, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km and 109g/km respectively. While the petrol car’s performance and the diesel model’s lack of refinement are a little disappointing, the rest from the dynamics are pretty superior. The new steering system is well weighted and direct, and while the Swift’s handling is not class leading, it is perfectly adequate. The ride is also great for such a small vehicle. Suzuki fans will continue to love the new Swift with its more spacious interior, larger top quality cabin and improved dynamics. Reliability, value and equipment levels are also probably to become major selling points so, while this new Swift doesn’t stand out like its predecessor, it is nevertheless an quick vehicle to recommend. Следующие материалы:
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