It's a nifty Swifty: Suzuki's smart little hatchback is both easy on the eye and the bank balance, says RAY MASSEY
Be quick if you fancy a Swift from Japanese car-maker Suzuki. Before the 67 plate comes out next month, you might even save some cash.
It's not the flashiest of cars; the styling is sober, rather than pretty. But its smart presence caught my eye when unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in spring.
Cheap both to buy and run, I was keen to try it out. It didn't disappoint.
It's the third generation of the Swift since 2005 and has sold 130,000 in the UK and 5.4 million worldwide. About 12,500 a year are predicted for the new model.
Understated: If you fancy a Swift from Japanese car-maker Suzuki you might save some buying one before the 67 plate comes out next month
The third generation Swift since 2005 has sold 130,000 in the UK and 5.4 million worldwide
Good figures: The Swift is a smart looker but nevertheless cheap both to buy and run
I particularly liked the clever rear door handles blended into the rear door and pillar to give it a more streamlined presence — looking more like a three-door hatch, and helped by the dark privacy glass.
The smart and functional interior is almost Audi-esque in its styling, with comfortable, tastefully tailored and shaped fabric seats.
For just £10,999 the SZ3 trim has a leather steering wheel, digital radio, 15 in wheels, and privacy glass as standard. I drove the top-of-the range SZ5, at £14,984 including a £485 Speedy Blue metallic paint option.
For just £10,999 the SZ3 trim has a leather steering wheel, digital radio, 15 in wheels, and privacy glass as standard
Design: The clever rear door handles blend into the rear door and pillar to give a more streamlined presence, this Swift Sport variant is due to be launched in September
Apart from that, it came with all the bells and whistles incuding 16 in polished alloy wheels, a rear-view parking camera, satnav and much more.
Its efficient, frugal 1.0 three-cylinder 111 bhp turbo petrol engine — helped by a mild or 'smart' electric motor and linked to a slick five-speed manual gearbox — was nippy enough around town and perfectly acceptable for zooming up and down motorways.
It has a 0-62 mph acceleration of 10.9 seconds and the top speed of 121 mph is plenty.
The Swift has a claimed 65.7mpg fuel economy, including 58.8mpg around town and 70.6mpg cruising, with low road tax and CO2 emissions
The efficient 1.0 three-cylinder 111 bhp turbo petrol engine — helped by a mild or 'smart' electric motor and linked to a slick five-speed manual gearbox
It's easy on the pocket with a claimed 65.7mpg fuel economy, including 58.8mpg around town and 70.6mpg cruising, with low road tax and CO2 emissions).
And with the #SuzukiSaturdays sale, customers who order any new Suzuki today only, for delivery by August 31, are eligible for £500 off the list price.
Suzuki is also preparing to launch the Swift Sport variant at next month's Frankfurt show.
TVR returns with a 200mph monster
Mean green: Born again TVR's new offering is a 200mph beast powered by a mighty Cosworth-tweaked 5-litre V8 engine
A legendary British muscle-car marque roars back to life next month with the unveiling of a new 200 mph two-seater.
Costing around £90,000 and powered by a mighty Cosworth-tweaked 5-litre V8 engine, the new TVR will accelerate from rest to 60 mph in less than four seconds.
It'll debut at the Goodwood Revival's Earls Court Motor Show on September 8-11.
Grunt: The new TVR will accelerate from rest to 60 mph in less than four seconds
TVR has spent more than a decade in the doldrums. But the new owners have worked with Surrey-based designer Gordon Murray, who created the McLaren F1, to produce the new lightweight performance sports car.
Only a limited number of the proposed 500 'Launch Edition' vehicles are still available.
Les Edgar, chairman of TVR, says: 'On the 70th birthday of our marque, we are entering a new era.'
Rarity: Only a limited number of the proposed 500 'Launch Edition' vehicles are still available
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