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      New Maruti Suzuki Swift 2011 - First Impressions

      Shiva Shankar

      Shiva Shankar

      Opening

      New Maruti Suzuki Swift 2011 – First Impressions

      The much awaited New Swift is now out in the showrooms. With plenty of excitement and expectation, we made a visit to showroom to have a look and take a drive of the new Maruti Suzuki Swift. Read on for our first impressions.

      To summarize the key differences between the variants:

      • LXi/LDi are basic variants featuring only power steering, AC and other minor features.
      • VXi/VDi adds a number of comfort features such as power windows and central locking, though no music system.
      • In the top variant, ZXi/ZDi, safety features such as Dual airbags, ABS+EBD, Rear windshield wiper, and defogger, as well as alloy wheels and Music system with speakers are available

      The claimed Fuel efficiency for petrol version is 18.6 KMPL, and for diesel version 22.9KMPL. Colour options of new Swift include Blazing Red, Torque Blue Metallic, Glistening Grey metallic, Metallic silky silver, Pearl Metallic Arctic White, and Metallic Moon Light Black.

      Appearance Exterior

      The main noticeable difference between the earlier Swift and the new version is the change in body shape at the front. The bonnet has been made a little sleek and comes in a reduced height compared to earlier version. However, design of bumpers and grill is the same as before while both headlight and tail lamps are fitted with clear lenses. The rear portion of the car has also made a bit sleek so as to suit the changes at front. The change in front is however more noticeable than rear portions.

      All the three variants of the new Maruti Suzuki Swift come with body coloured bumpers while body coloured door handles are available in top two variants. Internally adjustable outer rear viewer mirror have been used in the car, which are operated manually in the basic variant and electrically in top variants VXi, ZXi, VDi, and ZDi. Turn indicators on the OVRMs, as well as front and rear fog lamps are available in top two variants.

      The basic variants feature 165/80 R14 steel wheels which have been fitted in LXi, LDi,VXi, and VDi versions, though the basic version comes with hub center cap while the higher variant with full wheel cap. The top variant features 185/65 R15 alloy wheels, with center cap. The tyres used in all variants are tubeless.

      In general, we can say that the exteriors of the Swift have been subtly changed while the car’s look has been majorly retained. 

      Appearance Interior

      In the new Maruti Suzuki Swift, considerable importance has been given to improve utility and cosmetic interior features. New features include a sporty wrap around door trims, day and night internal rear view mirror, three spoke sporty steering wheel, silver accents in steering wheels, front door trim pockets, large volume glove box, Parcel shelf, folding assistant grip, sun visor, ticket holder on driver side, roof lamp, inside door chrome handles etc.

      New features on the instrument panel include instantaneous fuel consumption indicator and also average fuel consumption indicator. This will surely help drivers to have better control over drive quality.

      Electrical power steering has been used in all variants, and tiltable steering, and lane change indicators are available in all variants.

      The VXi/VDi variants feature power windows for front and rear doors, central door locking with child door locks for rear doors, keyless entry, and in top variants ZXi/ZDi additional features are present like electromagnetic back door opener, rear window defogger, rear wiper and washer, driver seat height adjuster, and automatic climate control.

      Audio system is available in only ZXi/ZDi variants. It features CD player with high end stereo with radio, intelligent speed based audio control, auxiliary input and USB socket, 4 speakers and 2 tweeters, and steering mounted illuminated audio controls are available.

      Safety features like ABS with EBD and Dual airbags (driver+ co driver) are available in ZXi/ZDi variants. 

      Performance Drive

      The new Swift comes in both petrol and diesel versions. The petrol version has a 4 cylinder, 1197 cc engine delivering a peak power output of 87PS@6000 rpm, and torque output of 114NM@4000rpm. The diesel version has a 4 cylinder, 1248cc engine delivering a peak power output of 70PS@4000 rpm and torque of 190NM@2000 rpm. Both Swift engines come with 5 speed manual transmission. 

       

      The old Maruti Suzuki Swift Diesel had a 4 cylinder, 1248cc engine with power of 75PS and torque of 190NM. The petrol version had a 4 cylinder, 1298cc engine delivering power output of 88PS and torque of 113NM. It can be noted that in the new version, the diesel engine has been retained with similar metric whereas in petrol, a lower capacity engine with almost the same power has been used to ensure best of power and better mileage.

      The mileage of both variants has improved a bit versus the old variants. This is mostly attributed to lower weight in the cars.

       

      Getting into New Swift is quite easy with wide opening doors. Good leg space has been provided which helps in ease of getting in and out. The seat cushioning is good and gives the feel of comfort. Integrated head rest and good seating provides the required Lumbar support also.

      We took the diesel Maruti Suzuki Swift for a drive in the city. The car starts smoothly and quietly. It is impressive to see the positioning of rear view mirrors and cabin mirror which allow very clear monitoring of vehicles at rear side is not a problem. The ground clearance of 170MM is quite good and helps to overcome road humps .The turning circle radius of 4.8M is quite appreciable considering size of the car. Electric power steering ensures smooth and comfortable driving, even in narrow space, and hence taking out or parking of car was not a problem.

      Changing gears is very smooth and one need not to put much effort to change gears. The ride is quite smooth and comfortable and we could accelerate and brake comfortably.

      The car’s AC effectiveness is good and the car cools down soon. In short, as the new version features the same engine, there won’t be much difference in drive quality for the persons who have already used Swift diesel.

       

       

      Tech Specs

      Technical Specifications
       Make Maruti Suzuki
       Model Swift ZDI
      Variant Petrol Diesel
      Engine Capacity (CC) 1197/4 1248/4
      Power (ps@RPM) 87@600rpm 70@4000
      Torque (NM) 114@4000rpm 190@2000rpm
      Gears 5/M 5/M
      Dimensions in MM
      Length 3850 3850
      Width 1695 1695
      Height 1530 1530
      Wheel Base 2430 2430
      Turning circle radius 4.8M 4.8M
      Ground Clearance  170 MM 170 MM
      Average fuel efficiency (ARAI) 18.6 22.9

      Features

      Features Lxi/Ldi Vxi/Vdi Zxi/Zdi
      Power steering Yes Yes Yes
      Power windows No Yes Yes
      Central locking No Yes Yes
      A/C Yes Yes Yes
      Music system No No Yes
      Fog Lamps No No Yes
      Rear wind shield washer No No Yes
      Defogger No No Yes
      Dual Horn Yes Yes Yes
      IRVM Yes Yes Yes
      Alloy wheels No No Yes
      Tyre Rating 165/80 R14 165/80 R14 185/65 R15
      Driver seat height adjuster No No Yes
      ABS with EBD No No Yes
      Dual Airbag No No Yes
      Petrol
      Exshowroom Bangalore 439525 479078 563725
      Onroad bangalore 526677 572999 678388
      Diesel
      Exshowroom Bangalore 516818 566424 648132
      Onroad bangalore 622934 681580 778177

      Competition All Specs

      Specifications
      Maruti Suzuki
      Swift
      Maruti Suzuki
      Ritz
      Toyota
      Etios Liva
      Volkswagen
      Polo
      Ford
      Figo
      Chevrolet
      Beat
      Variant Zxi Zxi VX 1.2L highline Titanium 1.2 LT Option
      Engine Capacity 1.3 1.3 1.2L 1.2L 1.2L 1.2
      Max Power (PS) 88 88 80 75 71 80.5
      Torque (NM) 113 113 10 110 102 108
      Gears 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M
      Power Steering Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
      Power windows Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
      Central locking Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
      A/C Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
      Music system Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
      Fog Lamps Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
      Rear wind shield washer Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
      Defogger Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
      ABS Yes No Yes Yes Yes Optional
      Airbag 2 2 2 2 2 Optional
      Average fuel efficiency 14.5 15 18 14 14 15
      Ex showroom Price Mumbai (lacs) 5.78 5.2 5.97 5.82 4.84 4.96

      Conclusion

      The Maruti Suzuki Swift is a well established model from Maruti Suzuki. With the launch of the latest version with improved styling, it gives a refreshing image for the model and hence motivates customers to go for the same. At the same time, Maruti Suzuki has clearly not wanted to change a winning formula and has gone for an incremental change versus the old variant.

      The new Maruti Suzuki Swift could interestingly pose serious competition for its own sibling i.e. Ritz, besides a host of cars in the crowded small car segment. As far as petrol version is considered, it would have been better if the power would be of 90PS or above as it was projected earlier.

      In all, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift is the best one can get if one is true fan of Maruti Suzuki cars and Swift in particular. 

      Maruti Suzuki | Swift | Maruti Suzuki Swift