India’s largest passenger car maker Maruti Suzuki had recently stopped the production of its fast selling premium hatchback, Maruti Swift, to make way for a new version, which was finally launched yesterday.
Read on for details of the new Maruti Swift 2011.
The new Maruti Swift comes with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel variants. The 1197cc petrol engine generates 87PS @ 6000rpm and a torque of 114Nm at 4000rpm whereas the 1248cc DDiS diesel engine remains the same as before and offers 75PS @ 4000rpm and a torque of 190Nm @ 2000rpm. Both versions are mated to 5-speed gearboxes that are different from the outgoing version's transmission.
Suzuki’s engineers have substantially reduced the overall weight of the car by replacing the metal fuel tank with a plastic tank, and thus in turn have improved the car’s fuel efficiency by a little over 6 per cent for the diesel i.e. 22.9 kmpl and 4 percent for the petrol version i.e. 18.6 kmpl . This is the first major face-lift for the Swift since it was launched six years ago. The new model is slightly longer, a little extra roomy, lighter and returns a better mileage than the current generation Swift.
The new Maruti Swift has already achieved a cult status in India. The company claims 50,000 bookings already even before launch, out of which 80% leans toward the diesel variants. Even though the looks are similar to the previous model, inside every body panel is different. Maruti hasn’t tampered with the already proven formula. Have they played too safe? Let’s have a closer look.
The New Maruti Swift is slightly bigger in every dimension, the height and width have been increased marginally: the length is up by 90mm and the wheel base by 40 mm. The car is modern and fresh in spite of the familiar looks. The nose is characterized by strut back lights which are much larger and extend further back into the body. The air intakes are prominent and the front bumper is sharply cut.
Move to the side and the changes you see are the more bigger and bulging wheel arches that add to the Swift’s stance, the rear tail lamp which stretches further along with the length of the car and clear inset panels which differentiates the car from the all red cluster of the original Swift.
The most noticeable change on the new Swift is the tail gate which has a distinctive overhang above the number plate.
The space in the rear seat seemed to be a weak point of the earlier Swift and in the new carit’s been addressed to some extent - there is definitely get more knee room, better head room and the rear swab of the seat is generous. But if you compare it to the like the Toyota Liva, the new Swift isn’t spacious enough and the tiny window of the coupe up look adds to that feeling.
The boot space is not generous it come with a 204 ltr cap which is smaller than premium hatchback standards.
The front seats are very generous and have a sportier design with more contours, but Suzuki hasn’t managed to lift cabin quality substantially. In the new Swift the plastic doesn’t feel greatly improved and the all black insides continue to exude a gloomy ambience as before.
The dashboard design is tidier and sharper looking. The v shape centre console is the design theme that’s also in the Kizashi and it works well. The instrument dials are superb and are highlighted with red lit glass like markers like the City. The dashboard is quite functional and offers more space than before; you get a slot just above the glove box to store loose stuff along with a cup holder. The drop pockets are more generous.
The all new steering wheel feels nice and chunky with steering mounted buttons which have a nice tactile feel to it. A lot of the switch gear is new and feels much better, but some parts still get carried over like the power window cluster. The gear lever is all too familiar from previous Suzuki.
The new Maruti Swift comes packed with new features like, single touch lane changing indicators, automatic climate control, auto unlock, speed based volume control, multi information LCD display, and keyless entry with alarm system, ABS, dual SRS airbags, BAS boot assist system and increase in torsional rigidity.
The new Swift addresses a lot of the flaws of the older car and yet hangs on to the cheeky character and desirability. The new model is bigger, better, refined and feels a lot more grown up, but it could have been better with cabin space and interior quality.
New Maruti Swift ex-showroom price Mumbai:
| Variant | Price |
| Maruti Suzuki SwiftLXi | Rs. 450944.57 |
| Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi | Rs. 491278.31 |
| Maruti Suzuki Swift LDi | Rs. 536370.91 |
| Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi | Rs. 578840.99 |
| Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi | Rs 581236.49 |
| Maruti Suzuki Swift ZDi | Rs. 662410.10 |
New Maruti Swift Colors are,
Blazing red, Glistening grey, Torque blue, Silky silver, Arctic white, Midnight black
You can also read the Maruti Swift 2011 brochure Click here for Brochure
Check out all images of the New Maruti Swift 2011 below.
