We're big fans of the Suzuki Swift here at CompleteCar. Heck, one of us actually owns a Swift, so we're more than a little excited about the prospect of an updated version.
Updated 1.2 engine
For the 2021 model year, Suzuki isn't giving the Swift any major changes, but there are a few new details. Chief amongst those is a new version of the 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine (this one's code-named the K21D) 83hp and 107Nm of torque. Suzuki says that it offers greater fuel economy and even lower CO2 emissions. The 0-100km/h time is 12.2 seconds (if you're driving the one with the CVT gearbox).
The engine now gets dual fuel injection and an electrically controlled variable valve intake system, plus a variable displacement oil pump and electric piston cooling jets.
There's also the optional 12-volt mild-hybrid assistance, the battery for which has now been increased in capacity to 10Ah. The integrated starter/generator of the mild-hybrid system can chime in with a boost of 50Nm of torque when needed and can help to trim the Swift's fuel economy to as little as 57mpg. Impressively, the mild-hybrid system adds just 6kg in extra weight.
Small styling tweaks
On the style front, the Swift gets a new grille and headlights, and blacked-out roof pillars to create a 'floating' effect. Those new headlights (and the tail-lights too) are now LED units, which are now standard across the Swift range.
There's a new basic SZ-L model which comes equipped a standard with air conditioning, rearview camera, Radar Brake Support with Adaptive Cruise Control, Smartphone link display audio with DAB radio, leather steering wheel, privacy glass, LED Headlamps, LED rear combination lamps, front fog lamps, polished 16-inch alloy wheels and front electric windows.
The SZ-T adds grey painted 16-inch alloy wheels, Dual Sensor Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning and Weaving Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition and rear parking sensors.
SZ5 adds Navigation, 16-inch polished alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, keyless entry and start, telescopic steering wheel adjustment, rear electric windows and door mirror side turn indicators.
Options include a CVT automatic gearbox, adaptive cruise control, four-wheel drive, and a 3D navigation system with Apple CarPlay.
Will Ireland now get the Jimny?
Oh, and as well as the updated Swift, there's a chance that Ireland might be at last about to get the new Jimny, which hasn't officially been available here yet. Indeed, the Jimny has been removed from a lot of European markets, because its high CO2 emissions make it a bit of a liability when EU fines for emissions limits are in the air.
However, Suzuki has now made a commercial version of the Jimny, which doesn't need to stick to the same CO2 limits as the passenger version, and the Irish importer has expressed an interest in finally introducing the model here, if the retail price can be kept low enough.
The Jimny light commercial features the same 1.5-litre petrol engine as the passenger version, plus standard four-wheel drive. By removing the back seats and installing a flat load floor, Suzuki has scraped out an 833-litre load space for the Jimny. Here's hoping the world's cutest 4x4 finally makes it to these shores, even if only as a van.