New Suzuki Swift Sport officially revealed in Frankfurt – 1.4L turbo engine, six-speed manual, only 970 kg

New Suzuki Swift Sport officially revealed in Frankfurt – 1.4L turbo engine, six-speed manual, only 970 kg

Meet the new Suzuki Swift Sport, which is celebrating its global premiere at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the latest version of the Swift introduced towards the end of 2016, the new triple S now comes with a turbocharger that Suzuki says “propels the Swift Sport into genuine hot hatch territory.”

Under the bonnet is a K14C 1.4 litre Boosterjet engine (from the Vitara) that serves up 138 hp at 5,500 rpm and 230 Nm of torque from 2,500 to 3,500 rpm. While the horsepower count isn’t that much higher than the previous M16A-equipped SSS (134 hp), the torque figure is significantly more by 70 Nm.

The good news is, the new car is even lighter than its predecessor by some 80 kg, weighing in at just 970 kg. As a result, the car’s torque-to-weight ratio is approximately 4.2 kg/Nm, which Suzuki says makes it “one of the most competitive hot hatch models in the market.”

It gets better too, as a six-speed manual is the only transmission option available for the SSS. While the unit is identical to that used in the previous car, it has tuned to deliver improved shift smoothness and better driver feedback.

New Suzuki Swift Sport officially revealed in Frankfurt – 1.4L turbo engine, six-speed manual, only 970 kg

Like the regular Swift, the SSS rides on the Heartect platform, and utilises Monroe dampers at the front. Thicker stabiliser joint bars and Teflon seat are also added to the stabiliser mount, plus the wheel hub and wheel bearings have been made into a single unit.

To increase camber rigidity during cornering by 15%, the car also gains an expanded width between the bearings. These revisions help to provide extra stiffness without excessively increasing the spring rate of the springs or the front stabiliser.

As for the rear, Suzuki focused on providing stability at high speeds, improving toe rigidity by 1.4 times compared to its predecessor, and camber rigidity is higher by a factor of nearly three.

There’s also a specially-designed trailing arm for the SSS that minimises deformation during cornering. Monroe shock absorbers are also fitted here, and the torsional rigidity of the torsion beam has tuned for improved roll stiffness.

New Suzuki Swift Sport officially revealed in Frankfurt – 1.4L turbo engine, six-speed manual, only 970 kg

To set the SSS apart as the flagship variant, model-specific bumpers and a honeycomb grille are fitted, along with black under spoilers spanning the front, sides and rear. For added sportiness, a roof-end spoiler, 17-inch thin-spoke alloys and dual exhaust tips are also thrown in.

Suzuki also notes the track is 40 mm wider at both ends to help with straight-line stability, and the body has been lowered by 15 mm and widened by 40mm to create a more athletic stance.

Oh, that Champion Yellow paintjob is inspired by the company’s works rally car in the Junior World Rally Championship. If yellow isn’t for your cup of tea, consider the six other colours – Burning Red Pearl Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic, Pure White Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, Mineral Grey Metallic or Super Black Pear (Captain Jack will be pleased).

Life inside isn’t that much different from a standard Swift, save for the generous application of red accents and a driver-oriented instrument panel. The latter comes with new boost and oil temperature gauges to reflect the car’s sporty persona.

Other bits include a D-shaped steering wheel with dimpled leather for a better grip, semi-bucket front seats, chrome shift knob and sports alloy pedals. For infotainment purposes, there’s a Smartphone Linkage Display Audio Display unit with a seven-inch touchscreen.

So far so good then, and it gets even better (if it didn’t already). Despite being lighter and more powerful than its predecessor, the new SSS comes with an impressive suite of safety systems. These include an advanced forward detection system, Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS), lane departure warning, weaving alert function, high beam assist and even adaptive cruise control, among other things.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Nice, what’s the chance of arrival in Malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Sep 13, 2017 at 11:44 am

    mighty mouse…wish we still had this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
    • Sohai on Sep 13, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      Suzuki Swift is really a cheap car for 3rd country, zero-tax@rm30k/USD8k. At US work part-time-job also can cash buy a new Swift. But when come to bolehland will sell @rm90k & sohai malaysian will loan installment rm900/month for 9yrs.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
  • azhar on Sep 13, 2017 at 11:47 am

    that huge C pillar gonna be a thorn in the ass

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Bernard on Sep 13, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Great car! Bring it in and sell below RM50k for the top spec…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 12
  • Eternalgl0ry on Sep 13, 2017 at 11:56 am

    Sad no more suzuki in malaysia. The previous swift sport was my favorite manual cheap cars

    Until they decided to potong however I would buy this if suzuki plans to rise again

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • Swifter on Sep 13, 2017 at 11:57 am

    Owh yeah 1.4 turbo babeh. Come to mama in Malaysia…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Kev336 on Sep 13, 2017 at 12:12 pm

    Omg just look at it. I want this swift. Take my money now!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  • Neutral on Sep 13, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Drool…tragedy that Proton screwed Suzuki in Malaysia otherwise we would be able to get this here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 3
  • Practical car lover on Sep 13, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    Wow..lighter and more powerful?? Other manufacturers should learn a thing or two from Suzuki. Too bad it’s dead in Malaysia. Here’s hoping for the revival of Suzuki back.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • AUTOBO|X CAPTAIN on Sep 13, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Who drives manual these days man?? what a joke… go away la!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 76
  • Jonn Dol on Sep 13, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    I guess this is rather a warm hatch. Was expecting something like at least 170+ horses. Comparison test with the superminis from Ford, PSA & VAG group should be a very interesting prospect..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Yes, the new Swift Sport’s 142.2 hp per tonne only qualifies it as a warm hatch nowadays. For comparison, the Civic Type R’s power/weight ratio is 201 hp per tonne. But the Honda is some 500 kg heavier, so the Suzuki is most likely more fun to drive and lighter on running costs (tires, fuel) at the same time.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • stasta on Sep 14, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      its stupid to compare against civic type R. a more valid comparison would be against polo gti, fiesta ST, and 208 gti. all of which produce over 200 bhp.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hope it come to Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Shafiq on Sep 13, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Sadly it wont make it here. Have to wait 3 years for grey importer i guess

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • tokmoh. on Sep 13, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    Watching the youtube ads… N-NANI?? KANSEI DORIFTO?!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bang4Buck on Sep 13, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    Gonna ditch my hairdresser Toyota GT86……for this pocket rocket Suzuki Swift. I dont even mind a grey importer unit….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • d11110 on Sep 13, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    Gerard- Triple SSS…SSS already triple….or just Triple S :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ZC32S on Sep 13, 2017 at 10:31 pm

    “Suzuki also notes the tread is 40 mm wider at both ends…..”
    Tread – should be Track right?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • stasta on Sep 14, 2017 at 2:21 pm

      tread could mean the tyres have increased width from 185 to 225 (i am guessing).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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