Suzuki Swift Sport (2011) first official picture

This is the new Suzuki Swift Sport, a lovely little hot (well, warm) hatch that will be officially revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September. And you can forget about the current crop of turbocharged and big power-chasing hot hatches – this Swift Sport uses a naturally aspirated engine good for just 134bhp…

Yes, but that’s not the point. The conventionally aspirated 1586cc four-cylinder has been upgraded from the old Swift Sport’s 123bhp at 6800rpm, to 134bhp delivered at 6900rpm. And 109lb ft at 4800rpm has become 118lb ft at 4400rpm. The 0-62mph time will be eight-seconds-something, so it’s err, swift rather than fast, but the six-speed manual ‘box and high-revving nature of the 1.6 will bring a smile to your face. Suzuki says the Swift Sport features a unique rear suspension design too.

Suzuki unveiled the Swift S-Concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show back in March, and while the wing and wheels on this white production car aren’t quite so big, bar those differences and the lack of side intakes, little else has changed. There are upgraded lights, new bumpers front and back (which add 40mm to the length of the Sport over and above the standard Swift), a bigger grille, plus side skirts and that aforementioned little spoiler.

The Suzuki Swift Sport will be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in early September and UK sales start in December. Prices have yet to be announced but expect to pay around £12k.

By Ben Pulman