16% more efficient engine available in Swift, but goodbye Vitara, Splash and Alto
2014-10-25 14:57:20
Suzuki has announced that it will be fitting a new, more efficient engine to its highly-acclaimed Swift model. The engine will reduce CO2 emissions to below the psychologically important 100g/km level - at 99g/km – and will incorporate the company’s latest technology that utilises twin fuel injectors for improved fuel economy.
Planned for introduction early next year, the technology deployed on the 1.2 Dualjet means the Swift will be able to claim an official combined figure of 65.7mpg. To put that into perspective, that is 9.2mpg or 16% better than that recorded by the current petrol engine. The Swift will see its power decrease slightly from 93bhp to 89bhp. However, a slight uplift in torque, from 87lb ft to 89 lb ft, both reaching their peak at 4,800rpm, coupled to slight alterations to the gear ratios, shouldn’t mean drivers notice the drop in power, but conversely should notice greater flexibility on the road.
The Suzuki Swift Dualjet deploys an Engine Auto Stop Start facility to help reduce CO2 and increase MPG too.
The improved cleanliness of the engine also means that the engine will render the Swift exempt from VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) charges. With the current engine emitting 116g/km, the existing model costs £30 per year to tax. For those companies which offer the Swift on their company car lists, those opting for the Swift will see the level of Benefit in Kind they need to pay reduce.
Initially, at least, the new Dualjet engine will only be available on the range-topping Swift SZ4 front-wheel drive models. It will carry a premium of about £500, but final prices will be confirmed closer to the time of introduction.
We have never shied away from the fact that first4auto have a little soft-spot for the Swift. We cannot be the only ones because it has proved a bit of a hit here in the UK, with 90,000 being sold since May 2005.
However, other models in the Suzuki line-up are reaching the end of their lives and as a result, the British importer has decided to cease bringing the Grand Vitara, Alto and Splash into the UK. Stocks of the Grand Vitara are likely to run out by the end of this year, whilst the Splash will follow shortly after. With 13,000 units sold last year, the little Alto was the brand’s best-selling model last year and will finally bow out in the spring. It will make way for the new Suzuki Celerio. The Vitara name will also live on in the form of a new small SUV that will be launched at the Paris Motor Show.
Suzuki was the second fastest-growing brand of cars sold in the UK in 2013. The company saw its sales leap by 33% and came on top of the 20% increase the brand enjoyed in 2012.
This is an abridged version of an article especially prepared by First4Auto on behalf of EcoCars4Sale.
Reported By
Andrew Merritt-Morling
Chief Editor
