Suzuki Swift GT coming back to the US

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:58 am

The market for budget-priced, hot hatches in the U.S. has dwindled over the last two decades, with most of the major players either inflating prices or dropping out altogether. However, according to Automotive News, Suzuki execs have confirmed that the next generation Swift will finally make its way to U.S. shores, likely sometime in 2010.

The Swift and its Sport-y sibling are currently sold in Japan and Europe, gaining a significant amount of praise from consumers abroad looking for an entertaining compact that appeals to both cheapskates and enthusiasts alike.

The current Swift Sport, in European guise, comes equipped with a 1.6-liter VVT engine, creating 125 HP and sending power to the front wheels via a close-ratio five-speed transmission. Considering that the current Sport [SIZE="5"]tips the scales at around 1,000 pounds less than a Mini Cooper S, [/SIZE]it will provide more bang-for-the-buck than any vehicle available –- especially if it comes in under $15-large.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

More pics here:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/suzuki-swift/

-A friend had one that we use to drive in Auto-X back in the 80's. What a fun little car it was.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:10 am

That car, if it comes here, will give the HS Cooper all it can handle. Hell, it would be a perfect STS candidate too, considering the curb weight has to be somewhere around 1600#.

Now, at that weight, it would be a trailer queen... no way would I drive that death machine on the street with 2 ton + monsters on the road. - AB

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

Bah, there is always gonna be a heavier vehicle out there than the one your driving, unless of course your a semi driver. I still contend that in most situations your better off in the lighter nimbler car. Avoiding > surving an accident. Or maybe I'm just a fool...

CosbyWood · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 12:15 pm

Les Davis wrote:

Blah blah blah. Or maybe I'm just a fool...

Could be.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 12:50 pm

There are plenty of Pre-84 vehicles around that weight, and the elise is about the same. No matter of you weigh 6K lbs, a Semi is going to win.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:13 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

There are plenty of Pre-84 vehicles around that weight, and the elise is about the same. No matter of you weigh 6K lbs, a Semi is going to win.

I agree with that statement. Suzuki's overall line doesn't have stellar crash test ratings, which does influence whether I'd put my life on the line by driving it on the street. For an autocross only car, it sounds very promising, especially under $15k. - AB

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

now just put a hayabusa engine in it and they're SET

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

So how much are they claiming it weighs? 1000 lb less than a Mini would be like 1600lb. I call BS.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:40 am

My 1974 Lotus Europa weighed about 1650 pounds. I cannot imagine a "real car" with modern safety equipment and modern size wheels, tires, brakes, etc. plus safety equipment being that light. Heck, my formula ford weighs about 950 pounds. An Elise is about 2000 pounds.

My biggest concern with a small car on the street is the small size makes it harder for those drivers in the "boxes on wheels with cellphones in their ears blocking their vision :roll:

" to see when they violate the laws of physics (in addition to the laws of common courtesy and the traffic laws

). When Kelly and I drove Europas on the street most vehicles were not much bigger and their drivers actually had a chance of seeing us. If not their kids typically pointed us out. :wink:

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

I'm just glad my wife's mini has a really loud horn. . .

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:54 am

The original source said 1800-2100 lbs, but Suzuki is now saying sub 2300.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:11 am

Marty Howard wrote:

The original source said 1800-2100 lbs, but Suzuki is now saying sub 2300.

Sub 2300 is not all that light. Like Mike said, I envisioned something around 1600 lbs. - AB

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:16 am

500 lbs less than a Cooper S is the quote now...so my math was off, that's 2100 lbs, not 2300.

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:26 am

Cooper S = 2678lbs/ 1215kg -500lbs = 2178lbs dry weight
( pg 148 of the owners manual)

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Sounds like they are trying to compete with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris to me, the mini cooper has it KILLED as far as fun goes.

Swift GT weight/power (if 2300 lbs is used): 18.4
Mini Cooper S weight/power: 15.5

and for those doubting that a modern car can weigh that light, 1600 lbs is what a smart car weighs, so it IS possible, just requires some pretty big compromises as far as vehicle size.

Speaking of which, the smart IS coming to the US isn't it? It outta be interesting to see how it does in HS, although they've only got like 80 hp. If they ever bring the 99 hp turbo BRABUS version though, it could be interesting. . .

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Suzuki Swift GT coming back to the US

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