Review: Suzuki Swift Sport


Although I didn't have the time to drive the Suzuki Swift Sport as much as I would have liked, I did get enough on the road experience to figure it out as a very nice car indeed, writes Brian Byrne.

The Swift is arguably the standard bearer of the brand, even if we tend to see more of Suzuki's SUVs on the road. As a supermini it has been somewhat bigger than the segment average, and to some is as good as many compact family hatches.


The exterior is pleasing, a continuation of the style cues of a car that once took the Irish Car of the Year accolade. Styling which is standing well over time. For the Sport variant, there's a more pushy front end treatment, and a 'floating' roof theme made visually possible by blacking out the pillars. The car is also lower than its predecessor. Larger alloys complete the special picture.

The interior has good accommodation for four adults, and a decent boot. The inside is of good quality, though perhaps not up that that as perceived in current offerings from Korea. But the black theme with red panels detailing does suggest a bit of fun to be had. The main instruments are big and clear, though I have reservations about the central touch-screen when compared to what else is out there.

This Sport version ups the ante, without breaking the bank. OK, maybe it won't break any speed records either, but the acceleration potential to 100km/h of a tad over eight seconds is enough poke to feel different. The petrol power is a 1.4 petrol with 140hp on tap, and an agreeable level of torque comes in at a sweet spot of 2500rpm, which gives it a response deserving of the 'Sport' badge.

For me the basic Swift always had sweet handling, and they haven't upset that with the extra power. None of this sacrificing of comfort which some competitors seem to think is mandatory for sporty feel. If a suspension is designed correctly for higher power needs, it doesn't have to be thumping the road. The Sport uses Monroe high performance shocks all round and has a special rear suspension design to suit the car's purpose.

I intend at some stage to take this one out again, so I can take it far far away and truly enjoy the experience. Which is as good a judgement as you're likely to get.

PRICE: €22,995.



Komentar

Posting Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

Peugeot reveal new 508 SW pricing and spec

Gambar
The new Peugeot 508 SW will retail here from €34,110 plus delivery related charges for the Active 1.5 BlueHDI diesel 130bhp 6-speed manual version, writes Trish Whelan . Order books are now open and deliveries to first customers here in Ireland will begin from 1 July onwards. The new 508 SW which competes in the D-segment estate sector, has the same sharp front design as the 508 fastback and adds a low-slung, svelte estate bodyline. The brand say it forms the perfect balance between sport elegance and practicality, providing plenty of passenger space and a large, easy to access boot, offering a total load space from 530 litres with the luggage cover closed and up to 1,780 litres thanks to Magic Flat rear seats. Trims are Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. Two new petrol options and four diesel options, based on the 1.6 PureTech 1.5 BlueHDi and 2.0 BlueHDI engines, are offered. A 225bhp plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version providing power to the front wheels using a 1....
Baca selengkapnya

Peugeot 192 Drivetime now on nationwide

Gambar
Peugeot’s 192 Drivetime event is now underway at all the brand’s dealerships nationwide, writes Trish Whelan . The 192 offers are available for a limited time only this summer. Customers who register their new 192 Peugeot passenger car or light commercial vehicle before 31 July can avail of finance from 3.9pc plus either scrappage up to €4,000 or a deposit contribution of up to €750 on younger trade ins. A five-year extended warranty is offered across the Peugeot car range. Des Cannon, Managing Director at Gowan Distributors Limited who import Peugeot cars to Ireland, commented that their car range recorded the biggest volume increase in the market in 2018 and has outperformed the car and van market June year to date. “Consumer demand for the multi award-winning Peugeot SUV range continues, with the 2008, 3008 and 5008 SUVs dominating our sales table year to date and our dealers are recording strong forward orders for 192 for these star sellers, alongside our ne...
Baca selengkapnya

Irish Van of the Year 2019 Category Winners

Gambar
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Business and Mercedes Benz X-Class have been named Category Winners of the Irish Van of the Year 2019 in association with Continental Tyres. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Business took the Irish Commercial SUV of the Year award while the Mercedes-Benz X-Class won the Irish Pick Up of the Year award. The Irish Van of the Year awards are voted upon by a jury of Ireland’s most experienced light commercial vehicle journalists. In deciding on these category winners, the Irish Van of the Year committee members took into account such attributes as load capacity, reliability, overall versatility, cost of ownership and driving comfort. Presenting the awards to Jason Byrne of Mitsubishi Ireland, and Fergus Conheady, Mercedes Benz Ireland; Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor Continental Tyres Ireland commented: “In today’s tough commercial vehicle market, these two vehicles have been singled out by the Irish Van of the Year experts. I am sure that these awards w...
Baca selengkapnya