Suzuki Oz wants Swift Sport pocket rocket

ALTHOUGH Suzuki has yet to confirm the existence of a high-performance Sport halo to sit atop its recently released fifth-generation Swift range, the car-maker’s Australian branch is keen to see a headline-stealing version arrive in showrooms.

Speaking to GoAuto at the launch of the new Swift, Suzuki general manager Andrew Moore said Australia has a hand firmly up if the model was to be made available.

“We’ve said to the factory that Suzuki Australia would love a high-performance model of Swift because there is that cult following for the car, but there’s nothing to be confirmed at this stage,” he said.

“We’d love to see it, but there are no plans at this point.”Mr Moore also indicated that if Suzuki were to produce a Sport variant, the priority should be on building an engaging and fun light car, rather than a sporty car that will sit under a price point.

When Suzuki Swift chief engineer Masao Kobori was quizzed on the potential of a Sport variant, he simply offered a wry smile but could not confirm or deny its existence.

However, spy photos of the Swift Sport have already surfaced online, revealing rear bumper-integrated dual exhaust outlets, larger wheels when compared with the standard Swift range, a more pronounced roof-mounted rear spoiler and a sports bodykit.

Suzuki could shoehorn the 103kW/220Nm 1.4-litre BoosterJet four cylinder from its Vitara Turbo into the diminutive frame of the Swift, which would easily eclipse the performance of the outgoing 100kw/160Nm Sport variant.

While the Swift Sport would be down on power compared with its light hatch rivals, including the 141kW/320Nm Volkswagen Polo GTI, the 132kW/240Nm Ford Fiesta ST and the 147kW/250Nm Renault Clio RS, the Suzuki would also be the lightest of the bunch tipping the scales at well under a tonne.

Built on the Suzuki’s Heartect platform and built using high-strength, lightweight materials, the heaviest of the new Swift range weighs only 915kg for the turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder GLX Turbo.

A torque-converter automatic transmission is expected, but Suzuki will also likely offer its new range-topping Swift with a three-pedal option for purists.

While unclear on when a Swift Sport could surface, Suzuki could rip the covers off at this year’s Tokyo motor show in October for an Australian on-sale date sometime in 2018.