|  The Swift Sport is the flagship model of the new Swift, which Suzuki recently unveiled as its first new world strategic model. In the Swift Sport’s development, Suzuki targeted a model that would not only make sporty driving hugely enjoyable but also be fun to use and inspire pride of ownership.
As with the standard new Swift and the new SX4 crossover vehicle, Suzuki honed the Swift Sport’s accelerating, cornering, and braking performance using technological know-how gained in the Junior World Rally Championship. And since launching the Japanese-specification Swift Sport in September last year, we’ve been adjusting the performance and chassis tuning for the European launch. As a result, the European-specification Swift Sport allows confident, stress-free high-speed driving in just about any typical European road conditions. The 1.6-litre twin-cam VVT engine (which forms the basis of the rally car’s engine) spins into life with a light zizz before settling to a busy idle. It puts out 123bhp at 6800rpm and 109lb ft at 4800rpm, and, as you might guess from those figures, it does its best work at the top end of the rev range. Indeed, it’s typically Japanese in that it wants to be thrashed and never makes what you’d call a deep-chested sound. The throttle response is sharp, particularly at the top of the pedal’s travel, which helps make the Swift feel more urgent than it really is at low revs. Standard features in the hot Swift include dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), front sports seats, dual exhaust pipes, 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, MP3-compatible CD player and steering wheel audio controls. But be aware that it does not have a spare tyre, only a puncture sealant kit. The Sport’s new-specification, electronically controlled power steering system gives an optimal balance between effort and feel, ensuring the driver feels in touch with the road and is provided with instant feedback.
Finally, the 17 inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres provide excellent grip, while confidence inspiring stopping power with a linear feel comes from large disc brakes all round, ventilated at the front.
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