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One of the most-awaited cars of 2018 is ready to make its debut within weeks of the year being born. The Maruti Suzuki Swift’s next generation, successor to the already hugely popular model is officially being launched at the forthcoming Auto Expo 2018. But Maruti has announced the opening of bookings for the new Swift starting from Thursday. Bookings can be made with an initial payment of ₹11,000 at any of the company’s dealerships.
The new Swift is the third generation of the model and has been built on a new fifth generation Heartect platform that is said to be lighter and more rigid. The new model of the hot hatch is now wider, offers a longer wheelbase and delivers more shoulder room and headroom in the cabin. The lighter platform and the increased use of high tensile steel is said to have helped improve the power-to-weight ratio and also enables it to deliver quicker acceleration — up nearly ten per cent in both powertrain options.
The 2018 Suzuki Swift’s design is more aerodynamic and has many new sharper lines and design elements. But the familiar squat stance with the wheels set at the extreme end of the rear and front, and the trademark prominent haunches are all there; just reinterpreted in a modern form. The floating roof concept, a design feature that really became synonymous with the first gen Swift has also now been reinterpreted. New headlamps, tail-lamps and door mirrors with LED signatures give the new Swift a special new look. An interesting change in the new Swift is the position of the rear door handles, which are now located on the DLO right next to the thick C-Pillar.
The cabin features a driver-oriented cockpit design with a number of sporty touches that identify the focus for the car. A flat-bottomed steering wheel, seats with strong side bolsters, satin chrome trim and sporty dials in the instrument cluster add more youthful character to the car. In addition to the increased shoulder and headroom, legroom is also up, as is the luggage space in the boot (up 58 litres) compared to the predecessor.
The engines on offer in the new Swift are the K12 VVT Petrol and the DDiS 190 Diesel. The Petrol engine now delivers 61 kW of power and the diesel generates 55.2 kW of peak power. The transmissions on offer are the five-speed manual and, for the first time in the Swift, the AGS (auto gear shift), Maruti’s version of the automated gearbox is also being offered in two variants each of the petrol and diesel powertrains. The new Swift also gets a lot of safety technology as part of standard equipment including dual airbags, ABS with EBD and the ISOFIX Child restraint system. A new body colour called Prime Lucent Orange and new alloy wheel options are also being introduced with the new model.
The 2018 Swift will also mark another change in Maruti’s distribution and retaining strategy with the debut of Maruti Suzuki Arena. The new Swift will be the first model to sell via this channel. About 80 dealerships are expected to change to the new channel strategy this year.
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