A look back at the history of the Suzuki Swift.

From inception to the latest concept, a look back at the Suzuki Swift.

As it enters its second decade of existence and third generation of model, the Suzuki Swift is as popular as ever on the car market. The Japanese super car mini was a replacement for the Suzuki Cultus, a car first created in 1983 and still in existence. Constructed as both a three door and a five door hatchback, the Swift is fitted with front or back wheel drive.

The Suzuki Swift is currently offered as a 1.2 litre engine or a 1.4 litre engine whilst the car is driven with a choice of either a four speed automatic or five speed manual transmission. The first incarnation of the Suzuki Swift in 2000 came with the same choice of transmission but slightly larger engine tanks, supplying the motorist with 1.3 litre and 1.5 litre engines.

Since the release of the first model, the Suzuki Swift has diversified with the launch of a hybrid car and the previewing of the Suzuki Swift S-Concept at the Australian International Motor Show in 2011. It’s the second generation Suzuki Swift however which was launched in 2004 that has caught the attention.

The 2004 model picked up awards galore and was given a four star rating out of five in the EURO Ncap tests. Backed by a strong promotional advertising campaign, the car became one of the most successful cars exported by Suzuki. A sportier model was also manufactured in 2005 which was imaginatively entitled the ‘Swift Sport’. Unlike other Swift makes, this was powered by a 1.6 litre engine which produced 123 brake horse power.

Suzuki’s hybrid plug-in which was unveiled in the 2009 Tokyo Motorshow was a concept car  made available in Japan during 2010. The model also gave Suzuki the template for the electric version of the Swift, which is due to roll off the production line in 2013 according to the firm. Powered by a lithium battery pack, it is expected that the next range of Suzuki Swifts will be ecologically friendlier, even if each car will need to be recharged more regularly compared to when filling up at the pumps.