[Auto] TEST - SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT, THE LAST SPORTS WITHOUT MALUS

[Wassim MH]

 

It is difficult to find a high-performance sports car on the French market without having to pay significant penalties now. One and only exception: the Suzuki Swift Sport. The best deal of the moment?
Times are getting tougher and tougher for the sports car. Beyond the very high-end market, and supercars and hypercars, which are experiencing no crisis, the entire sports segment on four wheels is the main victim of new anti-pollution standards and regulatory requirements in terms of CO2. If this does not mean the total death of the mainstream sports car, the major manufacturers are reorganizing their priorities.

Because if paying monstrous penalties is ultimately of little importance to luxury customers (Porsche, Ferrari, etc.), ecological penalties have gradually made certain models for the general public unsaleable. At Renault, exit the RS brand (Clio and Mégane) which have become overpriced with penalties of several thousand euros. Everything is now grouped together at Alpine, which will undergo an intensive electrification treatment to survive. Same thing at Peugeot where the Peugeot Sport Engineered label has taken high-performance models under its wing (notably the 508 to begin with), but not without the adoption of plug-in hybridization to drastically reduce emissions. And the same thing at Volkswagen where the days of the GTI label are numbered as such, as it is now complex to sell affordable high-performance cars without deeply electrifying them. The GTE label and its hybrid traction chain have taken over.

Some thermal sports models are still manufactured, but primarily reserved for other markets, Asia and America, where environmental constraints are less financially severe. If Toyota has nevertheless confirmed that it will sell its sporty GR86 in France, in particular because the CO2 average of its entire range still allows it, Nissan, for example, has given up importing its future 400ZX there.

 

 

The strong point: a real Japanese-style "Mini"
It's hard to find authentic thermal sports cars so... But not impossible. Some high-performance, small-displacement cars are still affordable thanks to low penalties. But one and only one escapes it completely among the big generalists: the Suzuki Swift Sport. Sold since 1997 in Europe (around 50,000 copies per year, the sport version representing less than 10%), this Japanese interpretation of the mini city car has its small loyal clientele, attracted by a really interesting value for money.

The Suzuki Swift Sport, to stick to Euro 6 standards, "cheated" a bit. It is no longer 100% thermal. The small car indeed embeds the light hybridization technology house, a 48v battery, an alternator-starter and a transformer, which support an already lively 1.4 liter turbo engine, by recharging thanks to the recovery of energy at the braking.

 

 

The result is a power of 129 horsepower at 5500 rpm, and a torque greater than the old thermal version at 235N/m at half the tachometer. The contribution of the electric part is significant, and makes it possible to offer a small additional booster effect, by filling in the dips in engine speed and reducing consumption and CO2 emissions. Result: 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers on average mixed WLTP (about 7.5 liters in sporty driving) for 125g of CO2. So… strictly neutral from a regulatory point of view.

Comfortable, practical, well equipped
The result is a round engine, rather discreet at idle and very smooth when driving, backed up by (Oh Wonder!) a very convincing 6-speed manual gearbox. The little Suzuki Swift Sport is playful and determined thanks to its contained mass (a little over a ton), and has a suspension that is comfortable enough to make city trips pleasant.

 

 

The passenger compartment, very simple but well finished, "old-fashioned" (notably needle counters), is embellished with good bucket seats with excellent support. Not to spoil anything, the rear space is rather generous for a city car, the roof guard is significant and contributes to the impression of space, accentuated by large glass surfaces, and its access is facilitated by camouflaged opening rear doors. The trunk, even small (263 liters) remains roomy, sufficient to carry a large suitcase, two sports bags and a few odds and ends.

In addition, even if the mutimedia system is a bit dated, the Swift Sport has a good level of technological equipment, from Apple Car Play to lane keeping assistance, as well as intelligent cruise control and flexible… among others. A very good point for a vehicle of this category.

 

 

We love even more: a happy little sportswoman
But make way for sport! And in terms of sensations, if you press the button (in compliance with speed limits, of course), the Suzuki Swift sport is truly full of qualities. If those nostalgic for the old models will regret the performance in retreat (the 0 to 100 km/h goes back to 9.1 seconds) and an increase in mass, this little car is just waiting to give truly sporting sensations. The powertrain makes a nice noise when it goes up in the towers, without being ostentatious, and you really feel the beneficial contribution of the electric supercharging.

 

 

The Swift Sport accelerates well, reacts sanely and leaps from corner to corner, just waiting to climb the revs. We are certainly far from the brilliant acceleration if only of a Clio RS or the rigorous behavior of the chassis and the front axle of a Ford Fiesta ST, but we are driving an authentic little sports car full of good will. We will not lead her with a knife between her teeth, but rather smile on her lips, filling up with good feelings.

The black point: some frustrating adjustments
The only areas of frustration really relate to the detail: certainly the gearbox could have been a little better guided, the suspensions less flexible to avoid a little roll, and the switch less killjoy (it comes in a little early just below 6000 rpm)… also note a very small tank (32 litres) which requires refueling often despite the low consumption.

 

 

But at what cost?
For the rest, at 22,550 euros, Suzuki offers with its Swift Sport an absolutely unbeatable price/sensation ratio, with the key being a joyful little authentic sports car that avoids the cold shower of the penalty. A high-level technical and commercial performance in the current context, for a unique car.

Link: https://www.bfmtv.com/auto/essais/essai-suzuki-swift-sport-la-derniere-sportive-sans-malus_AN-202202130077.html