This Is The New Suzuki Swift Sport And We Have To Admit We're A Little Disappointed

Suzuki has taken the wraps off the Swift Sport two months ahead of its full debut… and we can’t help but think it looks a little lacking.

I just want to make something clear: there is no bigger fan of the outgoing second-generation Swift Sport than me. It’s an absolute joy to drive if you can get over any obsession with straight-line speed, and I had high expectations for its replacement. I’ll almost certainly own one someday.

The new one, though, seems to be missing the understated aggression of the old car; that quiet purposefulness that the semi-trained eye could spot from a mile away. In the solitary picture Suzuki the new one looks like Suzuki has released a picture of the highest non-Sport trim grade instead.

Its wheels are obviously a bit sportier, and remind us of designs we’ve seen on hot Fords recently. The side skirt and front bumper trim extensions aren’t especially convincing and the overall shape is just missing a little pep. It’s sitting too high, for one thing, and it could use a few more angles. Maybe this is a manoeuvre to attract more non-car people into it.

Although Suzuki has officially released nothing but this picture, we’re told that the wonderfully sharp old 1.6 will be swapped out for the 1.4-litre turbocharged BoosterJet engine from the Vitara S. It’s vastly torquier than the old motor, if not as responsive, and given that the car’s kerb weight could be well under 900kg it should be plenty brisk enough for everyday playtime. Suzuki also has a nack of building cars that drive better than you’d think. We’re still looking forward to driving it, but there’s a little apprehension creeping in…