Suzuki GB,is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Suzuki Swift hatchback in the UK. The brand reveals that the Suzuki Swift made its debut in the UK in 1983 and the car has since evolved into a popular and global model. Since its inception as a global car in 2004, Suzuki has sold over nine million units of the Swift.
The first Suzuki Swift made its debut in 1983 at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show. In the Japanese market the hatchback was known as the Cultus, which means care of adoration. The Swift moniker made its way in Europe in 1985 and in Japan the Swift name reached as late as the 1990s. Upon its launch the Swift rivalled the likes of the Nissan Micro and the Toyota Starlet.
The Suzuki Swift was the first Suzuki model to enter a class of car with both larger dimensions and engines than the ‘kei’ class. The Suzuki Swift used leaf spring suspensions on the rear and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. Later, Suzuki introduced the 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, known for its smoothness and economy. The Swift also come with an optional three-speed automatic transmission and analogue-digital instruments including a gear selection indicator.
The 1989 Suzuki Swift was the longest running Swift variant with production spanning over 13 years for the UK market. The car was optimised with more luggage area as well as cabin space. The Swift was also available as both three and five door variants in the UK. The brand also offered either a 1.0-litre three cylinder or a 1.3-litre four cylinder engine. The brand also offered a 3-door 100 Hp 1.3litre GTi model with four wheel disc brakes and less than 800 kg of weight at the kerb.
After an 18-month break between end of production, Suzuki UK introduced the new Swift in May 2005. The Swift was the first product of Suzuki’s radical innovation programme. Suzuki took the Swift production globally and at the time it was built in Hungary, Japan and India . The Swift was available with a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines. Also, the brand offered the 1.6-litre Sport three door model from May 2006. A Sport model with Monroe Sports damping fitted as standard and a 125 Hp engine was also available in the UK.
In September 2010, Suzuki introduced the new Swift in the UK with an optional Allgrip 4WD technology. The Swift came with one of the cleanest petrol engine Superminis with emissions of just 116g/km. The brand also offered a higher strength steel with a new stiffer and lighter bodyshell. The Swift also came with 7 airbags included as standard across the range. With a new 1.2-litre engine the new version was even more economical than before.
Suzuki unveiled the Swift for Europe at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. In May 2017 the brand launched the Swift for the UK and Ireland with 2WD and Allgrip optional 4WD. In 2021, the company brought in the facelift with a new 1.2-litre enhanced Hybrid engine. The brand also introduced a 1.4-litre Sport model with six speed manual transmission, in May 2018.
Recently, Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan, introduced the new 2024 Swift in the Japanese market. Compared to the previous model the new Swift comes with 4.6% less air resistance. The brand is also offering a newly developed Z12E 1.2-litre petrol mild-hybrid engine and two new body colours.
Also Read: Volkswagen’s MEB components for Mahindra’s purpose-built electric platform INGLO