Sporty, exhilarating study points at tomorrow’s pocket rocket
As one of the undisputed highlights of the Suzuki Auto South Africa stand at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show, the crowd-stopping Suzuki Swift S-Concept reinforces the brand’s compact sporting heritage.
Suzuki has a proven and outstanding recording of producing class-leading compact cars, with the Swift in particular setting new benchmarks for the sector in terms of design, packaging, features and outright value.
The previous-generation Swift Sport took this to new heights, relying on Suzuki’s successful motorsport heritage to produce a compelling mix of trend-setting style with an exhilarating sporting flair that made it a favourite amongst South African motoring enthusiasts.
Now, the Swift S-Concept, based on the new-generation Swift, takes this sporting demeanour to new heights. It represents Suzuki’s philosophy of offering sporty, compact cars that make life more exciting.
First seen at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, the Swift S-Concept embodies the concept of a premium sport compact with uncompromised performance.
The body is lower and 60 mm wider than the standard Swift, imparting a powerful stance that exudes presence and performance. This is accentuated several unique exterior details.
These include the large, dark mesh grille, the dynamically contoured front bumper and the striking, contrasting high-tech silver accents for the headlamp clusters, fog lamp housings and number plate bar.
Flared wheel arches entrench the racing lineage, complemented by the striking 18-inch alloy wheels with generous 235/45 R18 rubber that gives the S-Concept an undeniable sense of solidity and stability.
The aggressive theme is continued at the rear, emphasised by the big spoiler mounted on the upper edge of the tailgate, along with large-diameter twin chromed exhaust pipes set within a purposeful rear aerodynamic diffuser.
Along with the numerous integrated air vents, cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs and bright red brake callipers, the unique Champion Pearl yellow paint scheme rounds off the dazzling exterior highlights.
The Swift S-Concept is powered by Suzuki’s 1,6-litre M16A engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Inside, the cabin still offers comfortable seating for four adults. Several exclusive touches entrench the Suzuki concept’s racy orientation. Most obvious are the sculpted Recaro bucket seats in front, which are trimmed in a combination of black and yellow leather with yellow stitching, and offer maximum support for enthusiastic driving.
Contrasting yellow stitching is also used for the leather trim on the gear lever surround and chunky three-spoke sports steering wheel. The latter boasts a motorsport-derived yellow band at the top that indicates the straight-ahead position.
Further exclusivity is guaranteed by means of a uniquely designed instrument cluster with red accents, as well as the use of lightweight and sophisticated carbon fibre for the centre console.
As expected, the S-Concept has emerged as a fully-fledged production model since making its appearance in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport made its global debut at the recent Frankfurt International Motor Show. Suzuki Auto SA will launch the sporty flagship of the Swift range locally during the course of 2012.
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