Swift R Brothers: Suzuki Swift History

Suzuki Swift is a mini car not extremely sporty as the likes of a Hyundai Tiburon, 370 Z, Subaru WRX and even a Volkswagen Golf GTI. However, its a convenient daily driving car that offers cute looks, mini styling, fuel efficient, reliability ( low cost maintenance and easy to find spare parts), simple yet attractive looking interior, and most importantly spacious cabin.

All these important packages are within reach and the swift brand has been produced since 1983 with the name cultus.

First Generation Suzuki Swift (Cultus)

In 1981, General Motors USA had joined alliance with Suzuki which allowed for the Swift to be marketed in USA as the Chevrolet Sprint. The first generation Cultus used a carbureted 1.0 L 3 cylinders engine. In 1989, the cultus started to use fuel injectors to reduce gas mileage. Turbocharged versions of the 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine were available in the Turbo Sprint in both the United States and Canada.


The Second generation Suzuki Swift (Cultus)

In 1988, Suzuki Japan had developed a new chassis, engines and drivetrains of the cultus. It was still having its 1.0 L 3 cylinder engine delivering only 53 horsepower. In addition, Suzuki also developed production of its 1.3 and 1.6 L engine. The higher powered Cultus/Swift GTi had an improved G13B engine which featured hollow camshafts, stronger web casting on the engine block, a better flowing intake manifold (the prior generation intake manifold had its shape compromised to fit into the engine bay), and its ECU now had electronic control over ignition timing. It now put out 100 hp (75 kW) of power. The GTi also featured all wheel disc brakes.

Suzuki Swift GTI

In 2000, a new restyled Swift was produced with a name Ignis being used.

Suzuki Ignis

In 2004, Suzuki had completely reworked the styling of the new Swift. The sporty looks of the second generation of the new Swift debuted at the Paris Motor show.


The Suzuki Swift concept S2

Suzuki Swift Concept S1

Suzuki Swift Concept S1 rear

GT4 Suzuki Swift Concept S2 (216 horsepower)

Suzuki Swift Concept S1 interior

Suzuki Swift Concept S2 interior


2005-2009 Suzuki Swift Sport (Picture showed a lowered version with GReddy lips)

2009 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

The exterior body of the sport version is actually similar with the basic version with 1.3 L and 1.5 L engines. The only difference Suzuki adds is the sporty body kit. When it comes to interior, the sport has digital air conditioning console buttons and gauges (not applicable in Brunei market), Digital clock with temperature, sport leather wrap steering wheel, sport speedometer with chrome gauge clusters with a scale up to 220 Km/hr and most noticeably the sport bucket seats. As for the engine the sport delivers 125 horsepower and can be tuned up to 210 horsepower with the sport version transmission by adding a ROTREX supercharger.

In 2010, Suzuki launched a facelifted version of the Swift. It still retains the design of the body but with a more wider and sporty front looks especially with the sport version. The Swift Sport 1.6 L engine now has 130 horsepower and improved handling. The major changes can be found in the interior with a more modern yet simple dashboard compared with its main contenders like the Hyundai Veloster that offered a dual clutch 6 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a panoramic moon roof, and a stylish futuristic dashboard. Suzuki Swift Sport at the moment has no turbocharged version that can compete with the Veloster Turbo. Despite these drawbacks, I am still a fan of this small hatchback due to its reliable, short wheelbase that improve handling and not to mention its sporty heritage existed for so long.