Swift hot hatch takes aim at C2 VTR

By Phil McNamara

Motor Industry

12 August 2006 06:42

Here's a sneak preview of two new Suzukis – the Swift Sport and Splash supermini-MPV. Both get their world premieres at September's Paris show.

The flagship Swift goes on sale in autumn 2006, for just over £10k. This Citroen C2 VTR rival has a high revving 1.6-litre four, putting 123bhp through the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The Sport conforms to the classic junior hot hatch recipe, with body extensions, more mesh than a chicken coop, stiffer suspension settings and lashings of aluminium inside.

The Splash concept is also based on the Swift platform. But it's longer, taller and wider, to create decent space for five. Power is from a new 1.2-litre engine, coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. The supermini-MPV is officially a concept, but this flexible vehicle will make production.

By Phil McNamara