Review - Suzuki Swift Sport (GTI) is here! Watch out Ford

Teki04 · 07-09-2006, 07:37 PM

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...ID=19803&vf=12

Key Points;

Price; $24,000

Kerb weight of 1090kg

Free-revving 1.6-litre 92kW, four-cylinder engine to deliver claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 8.9 seconds.

Released locally in 1 month... September 11 more details!

xurbanx · 07-09-2006, 08:36 PM

Wow.

crispymk2 · 07-09-2006, 09:20 PM

I quite like the look of the current swifts with the body kit, lowered + rims... seen a few around that look cool. The extra grunt would come in handy, if it handles well I might trade the fez in on one of these depending on wether or not Ford get their siht sorted and bring the ST out.

Peej · 08-09-2006, 12:35 AM

Looks a bit tame for my liking to be honest.. Doesnt look like anything special from some angles.. i thought they were coming out in a 3 door config. Guess its all a matter of personal taste really.

Al... · 08-09-2006, 12:50 AM

i like it

Marshy79 · 08-09-2006, 01:09 AM

The GF's parents have a current model swift and I must admit its really darn cool.

They got the biggeet rims they could fit on the thing and it looks every so sporty.

Honestly... looks heaps better than the GTI swift in that pic as well. I'll have to take a piccy of it to show you guys perhaps.

The swift does need a sportier engine though.
I Welcome the GTI back on to the scene

Danny · 08-09-2006, 02:10 AM

With 92kW and What essentially for most average drivers will be around a 9 second 0-100. I think 24,000 is a little pricey.

If ford sold the ST at around 24-25k then they'd be on a winner for sure. They're closer to high Sevens.

Teki04 · 08-09-2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

With 92kW and What essentially for most average drivers will be around a 9 second 0-100. I think 24,000 is a little pricey.

If ford sold the ST at around 24-25k then they'd be on a winner for sure. They're closer to high Sevens.

Yea true.

The Barina SRi was $1,500 cheaper then the Swift Sport, and just as quick.

But as the article mentions, pricing is still to be released.

photn · 08-09-2006, 09:32 AM

there is one at campbelltown station white with 18" chromies and lowered....i have to admit it looks hot...but not hot enough to buy sorry..looks the goods the sport and probably has the go......but not my taste.......

robjh80 · 08-09-2006, 01:57 PM

Looks nice in Yellow, check out the seats......look far more comfortable than the Zetec Fez.

Ives · 08-09-2006, 05:12 PM

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up Teki.

Dude, it's only a matter of time before Ford Aus brings-in the Fiesta ST. PLEASE.. keep it as Fiesta ST... not XR4, cos it'd sound ghay. I got my MOTOR magazine today in the mail and it said:-

"Fiesty Fiesta -- Ford is considering adding a spicy Fiesta to its range, after the success of the Focus XR5. A 2.0-litre, 110kW Fiesta ST is already sold in Europe. Meanwhile, Ford has sold its entire allocation of XR5s and is looking to source another batch from Germany".

--MOTOR Magazine Oct '06 issue. Page 11

murcod · 08-09-2006, 05:24 PM

So many choices..... The Zetec Fiesta with one of those cams from the UK would undercut them all!

Someone needs to buy one and see if the power claims are true.

kiwijohn42 · 08-09-2006, 05:50 PM

Don't like the Swift at all, Fez is much better looking. I'm sure they could wring a few more ponies out of the Fiesta 1600. The 1600 GT Kent motor in my 71 Capri put out exactly the same power standard as my new Fez. Might have drank a bit more doing it but...

photn · 08-09-2006, 07:55 PM

the fez with the extractors cams exhaust CAI and a ecu bluefin would **** on all those little hatch's pumping out 154BHP its 5 BHP more than the ST....but the ST can go up to 200 BHP if modded correctly....

LethalLeigh · 08-09-2006, 08:25 PM

Never liked the styling of the Swift. Seems like two design philosophies fighting over the one car.

If I knew I was keeping the Fiesta for a couple more years, I'd fit the cams. I need to decide how long I'm keeping the car though.

Al... · 08-09-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

the fez with the extractors cams exhaust CAI and a ecu bluefin would **** on all those little hatch's pumping out 154BHP its 5 BHP more than the ST....but the ST can go up to 200 BHP if modded correctly....

do the same to any car , i am sure the gains would be there too
its ok to say ford may do this and do that, the fact still ramains... they havn't

Pieoter · 08-09-2006, 10:42 PM

You can't compare a modded car to a stock car. An ST or any car for that matter can eaisly get more than 200hp if modded correctly

Danny · 04-10-2006, 06:27 PM

I drove one today (No I'm not buying one, but a dealer convinced me to take one for a drive to try to prove to me how good they were). Honestly, They feel heavy, and the seats look and feel cheap. Like something from freedom furniture with cheap foam.

Dashboard looks OK, Better than WP Fez but not better than WQ. They Look overweight up close, and I dont like the busy wheel design.

Performance is DEFINITELY nothing to write home about, It didn't seem in any way much quicker than the Fiesta. It felt very heavy and floaty on the road, the clutch was crap and had NO feel whatsoever, and theres NO way I'd spend $27K (Onroad) when I could get a Polo GTi With Leather, DSC, TC, EBD, ABS, 8 Airbags for around 3 grand more..

I have so far been in A VW Polo GTi, and a RSC 182 Cup. Both FANTASTIC cars. Suzuki did not cut it, I didn't like em before, and Certainly dont like it now...

Imolator · 04-10-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

I drove one today (No I'm not buying one, but a dealer convinced me to take one for a drive to try to prove to me how good they were). Honestly, They feel heavy, and the seats look and feel cheap. Like something from freedom furniture with cheap foam.

Dashboard looks OK, Better than WP Fez but not better than WQ. They Look overweight up close, and I dont like the busy wheel design.

Performance is DEFINITELY nothing to write home about, It didn't seem in any way much quicker than the Fiesta. It felt very heavy and floaty on the road, the clutch was crap and had NO feel whatsoever, and theres NO way I'd spend $27K (Onroad) when I could get a Polo GTi With Leather, DSC, TC, EBD, ABS, 8 Airbags for around 3 grand more..

I have so far been in A VW Polo GTi, and a RSC 182 Cup. Both FANTASTIC cars. Suzuki did not cut it, I didn't like em before, and Certainly dont like it now...

I totaly agree, its is no way worth what they are asking for it. Too many other great cars can be had for that sort of money or just a little more.

What Ford need to do is too give the Zetec chassis the engine it deserves.

04RSD · 04-10-2006, 09:16 PM

had a look at 1 when i bought the fez
it was very plasticy it sounded like me EA work car rattled when you hit bumps and the windows twang, culunk and bang when i wound them up and down.
for $16000 drive away the fez has so much more refinement then the other sub $20 cars.
i test drove and tried to get a good deal on all of them the fez came way out on top

Imolator · 05-10-2006, 04:03 PM

Found this review of the new swift, has some good info. It doesn't even come with a spare tyre anymore, just a repair kit and a pump.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2080285.aspx

Teki04 · 05-10-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

I have so far been in A VW Polo GTi, and a RSC 182 Cup. Both FANTASTIC cars.

That's what I like to hear.

:

MISTA FIESTA · 05-10-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny
I have so far been in A VW Polo GTi, and a RSC 182 Cup. Both FANTASTIC cars

I too will soon be in both, atm i will agree with the above statement.

Steffo · 05-10-2006, 08:58 PM

27 on-road for that thing? They're absolutley dreaming. I can get a Polo 1.9 TDI fully optioned on-road for 26, and its a much, much better car then that Suzuki can ever dream of being.

robjh80 · 06-10-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

27 on-road for that thing? They're absolutley dreaming.

And yet......."I bet they sell them like there's no tomorrow".......there is a lot of sentiment among Suzi Fans regarding the old GTi Swift, they have waited a very long time for this replacement car, I think they stuffed up a bit though by calling it a "Swift Sport" and not "GTi" which is what all the Suzi fans wanted, still wont damage sales too much though........wouldn't mind betting there will be a few around with the "Sport" badge removed and a "GTi" badge put in it's place.

Teki04 · 06-10-2006, 02:14 PM

Rob,

I do believe there were a few articles on the 'GTi' badge... Volkswagen was very much against it, as they have the Polo GTI and were the first to introduce the GTI badge, on their Golf GTI

I think it wasn't an issue in the past, but as Hot Hatches become more popular, VW are getting behind keeping their GTI badge for themselves.

photn · 06-10-2006, 03:27 PM

"if you dont have anything constructive to say then dont sayanything"

so this is me not saying anything.

:baby bott

:

:sm_headba

:

robjh80 · 06-10-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teki04

Rob,

I do believe there were a few articles on the 'GTi' badge... Volkswagen was very much against it, as they have the Polo GTI and were the first to introduce the GTI badge, on their Golf GTI

I think it wasn't an issue in the past, but as Hot Hatches become more popular, VW are getting behind keeping their GTI badge for themselves.

Yea, ya might be right there Teki, something big must have gone on behind the scenes, I remember reading somewhere that other countries also wanted the "GTi" name on this car but Suzuki made the decision to globally name the car "Sport" much against the wishes of their worldwide dealer network and of course ultimately their customers.

Danny · 06-10-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teki04

Rob,

I do believe there were a few articles on the 'GTi' badge... Volkswagen was very much against it, as they have the Polo GTI and were the first to introduce the GTI badge, on their Golf GTI

I think it wasn't an issue in the past, but as Hot Hatches become more popular, VW are getting behind keeping their GTI badge for themselves.

Yes, thats what the dealer told me. Actually, the "GTi" Nomenclature is now registered and trademarked by VW. How Ironic that that (VW) just may be the GTi that I end up in....

Teki04 · 28-10-2006, 11:15 PM

Ok guys, from what I understand the GTI or GTi badge is VW owned. Only the Golf and Polo wear it... the Pug 207 is a GT (replaced GTi) and RC (will replace GTi180 here)...

And then the Swift Sport, which I wasn't impressed with. Gearbox (stationery) seemed too notchy, and the seats were hidious. Looked like cheap seat covers. The rear seats and boot - why bother?! No room anywhere....

pics stolen from Simonr's camera

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