Journalist Donn Anderson drove a total distance of 1,240km in just 42 liters of fuel, recording an average fuel consumption figure of 29.76 kpl. Anderson drove through routes that we encounter in everyday life – potholes, rough roads, open highways, congested cities and town roads.

Even though he had a sporty car in hand, Anderson was in no mood to emulate a rally driver. He drove between 50-60 mph (around 100kph at max) and had to drive through torrential rain and heavy winds during the course. Without these unprecedented obstacles, the cautious Anderson says he could have drove even further.

We’d be intrigued to know how far a tank full can take the Swift diesel in India as the car went around UK last year recording a very high fuel efficiency. On top of being one of the biggest global markets for the Swift, Indian conditions must pose a few more problems for the determined Swift, which is setting the bar high for fuel efficiency among supeminis.

How does Fiat India benefit?

Fiat India, despite of being in India for donkeys years, does not have a strong standing in the Indian market. If it wasn’t for the Multijet engine, the company could have gone belly up a long time back. So an increased alliance with Suzuki, which currently accounts for 42 percent of the Indian market, would benefit Fiat in terms of establishing dealer network and expertise in the region.

How does Suzuki Benefit?

Suzuki may benefit from Fiat’s diesel engines and network of dealers in markets such as Brazil, Latin America where Fiat has a very strong presence.

What is the Mazda connection?

Yesterday, Mazda and Fiat joined hands to share the next gen Mazda Miata platform with Alfa Romeo. I agree that this development has absolutely no implication on India. But if we dig in a bit deeper we find that Mazda is struggling to be in the black for some time now. The automaker posted losses for 4^th straight year in a row.

Clearly, it requires a partner to share the R&D and manufacturing cost to stay afloat. Fiat has been looking for more automotive alliances after taking control of Chrysler – particularly an Asian partner to help it reach global sales of 6 million vehicles in 2014. Thus, rumors are rife that Fiat and Mazda may choose to join hands to fight the stiff competition from the German brands.

We’ll have to stick around to see how this tripartite venture can benefit these three companies.

[Source: in.reuters.com & leftlanenews.com]

Suzuki Germany has gone one step further and has launched the Swift X-ITE edition in which all those accessories are fitted as standard.

So for a sum of 15,490 euros (around 10 lakhs), you get a three door Swift fitted with:

• Modified front bumper
• Extended side skirts
• Roof-mounted spoiler
• New rear bumper
• Vinyl graphics
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Aluminum gear knob
• Stainless steel door sills
• Embroidered floor mats

The Swift X-ITE is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine producing 93 bhp (which is more powerful than the Indian version) and achieves a fuel consumption of 20kmpl.

Unfortunately, Maruti Suzuki India is loaded with orders of the Swift to take any such bold decision. The company recently offered a special edition Swift but it was more of  stock clearance sale for petrol, which owing to the rising fuel prices, is difficult to shift out of stockyards.

Suzuki Swift X-ITE edition Image Gallery

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

Sales of the A-Star has not been impressive and as we explained in a previous article, the numbers have fallen to sub-1,000 units/month levels for two consecutive months.

The Wagon R, which is in the same segment as the A-Star is one of the best selling Marutis clocking between 10-15k units a month.

The legendary Alto, a synonym for city car in Asia for the last thirty years, is made for the world in India. That’s right, the Manesar factory in North India is the only point of manufacture for the A-Star which is sold globally as the Alto, Celerio and as a Nissan Pixo in the UK. Since exports began in January 2009, over 300,000 units of the made-in-India Suzuki Alto have been sold in over 100 countries.

It is fitted with a three-cylinder 1-liter K-Series petrol engine producing 68PS/90Nm, driven either through a four-speed AT or five-speed MT. If Suzuki is planning to upgrade the engine, they may want to add variable valve timing which they have done so on the bigger 1.2-liter engine powering the Swift.

It was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and if you remember, the concept A-Star was presented at the Delhi Auto Expo in January of 2008. It is not wrong to say that the Suzuki Alto/A-Star took shape in India.

As times have changed in the last four years, Suzuki is now seen working on a facelift for the Alto.

The interiors are very similar to the outgoing model and may use a slightly different color combination. Several Chinese websites are carrying images of the taped-up prototypes testing around China for a week now. We saw this one coming as Suzuki Australia was reported in the media for expecting an upgraded Alto later this year.

Here’s a roundup of the changes the new Alto sports after we studied the spyshots with magnifying lenses. Our digital artist Shoeb R Kalania has also presented the changes in a rendering attached above.

• The Alto facelift now makes it look like part of the global Suzuki family
• The earlier one’s huge grill and the protruding headlamps made the car look sad. The changes are sure to make the customers give it a second thought.
• Many customers turned away from the Alto due to its different look.

Cosmetic changes on the Suzuki Alto facelift

• New sleek pulled-back headlamps.
• Face grill with a nice chunky Suzuki logo.
• New bumper design with revamped air vents and fog lamp housing.
• Tail-lamps are detailed differently but remain similar to the current one’s form.
• Rear bumpers get vents like the ones seen on the facelifted Ritz (Splash to overseas readers) Suzuki announced earlier this month for Japan.

Can we expect Suzuki to premiere the Alto facelift at this year’s Paris Auto Show?

[Spyshot credit - Autohome.com.cn]

Black European inspired spoiler kit, bold wheel arches, rear upper spoiler, side protection door mouldings and a unique XS decal are the highlights of this special edition. It is available in a choice of seven colors.

The Suzuki Swift XS sits on 17-inch, 12-spoke HRS H-461 aluminium alloy wheels finished in black with a liquid smoky silver background. They are shod with Bridgestone MY02 205/45 R17 tyres.

Interiors have not changed, now equipped with a Bluetooth Sony audio system with external microphone included in the special edition model. Features from the normal variants such as power windows, central door locking, remote-controlled door locks, delay cut-out for interior lighting, air conditioning and driver’s seat height adjustment are present on the special edition model. Safety is given utmost importance as the car is strapped with seven airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD.

The Swift XS is powered by a 1.4-liter K-Series petrol engine (used on the Ertiga) producing 94hp/130Nm. It is priced at 10.4 lakh rupees.

Do you think Maruti Suzuki should field Swift 1.4 in the market as a special edition model? They don’t need special edition to brighten the appeal of the diesel variants, but the petrol variants could get something as considerably different as the XS to attract attention.

Our reader BMS tipped us on this development and we rang up our Chinese pals to learn more. The mini SUV fever has gripped us all and we’re aware of straying off limits here!

The length/width/height of the Chang’an CS35 are 4160mm/1810mm/1635mm, with a wheelbase of 2560mm. We’re not told if Suzuki has helped with the development of this model though there may have been some technological expertise gained by Chang’an from the joint venture. The bug-eyed SUV is powered by 1.6-liter NA and 1.5-liter turbocharged engines. The latter produces a healthy 165hp power and 249Nm of torque. It is expected to be priced from 80,000 RMB (6.65 lakh rupees).

Higher variants of the Chang’an CS35 is appointed with features like LCD display, manual air conditioning, electric sunroof, parking sensors and multifunction steering wheel. Equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, it is shod with 17-inch wheels.

The Chang’an CS35 does not share a relationship with the XA Alpha which is almost certain to be a Swift transforming into an SUV next year.

[Head over to Auto.163.com to see more images]

Suzuki had given the Vitara a mild cosmetic change by repositioning the spare wheel from behind the car to under the luggage compartment for the Canadian market.

According to reports, the styling of the next Vitara is similar to the Kizashi 2 concept, along the lines of the example showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2008, blending aggression and soft lines on the bodywork.

The handling is better as certain traits from the Kizashi will be passed on. Moreover its monocoque construction could lead to crucial weight savings reflecting on better cornering abilities and improved fuel economy.

Sales of the redesigned Vitata is expected to begin in Japan not before late 2013 or early 2014 followed by introduction in international markets. In India, the Vitara is not exactly a volumes model, its single digit sales is due to the absence of a diesel engine and the neglect of renewed marketing strategies.

2.0 and 2.4 liter petrol engines could provide the necessary firepower. Fiat could supply Suzuki with a 135hp 2.0 liter DDiS engine for markets that are preferring diesel variants, the report adds. Expect the 2014 Suzuki Vitara to be showcased in September 2013.

This time around they have launched a Suzuki Swift Attitude which is scheduled to go live on 2^nd of April with a price tag of £10,750 for the three-door version and £11,220 for the five-door model.

What do you get for the extra dough?

• Superior White Color finish
• Carbon fibre effect roof and door mirrors
• Rear upper spoiler in body color
• Carbon fibre effect ‘Attitude’ badging
• 16-inch wheels in black paint finish.
• Front fog lamps and rear privacy glass.
• Seven airbags, ESP, air conditioning and USB ports are carried from the standard Swift.

It is powered by the same 1.2-liter petrol engine producing 93bhp (a tad more than the Indian model).

Maruti Suzuki needs to learn for Suzuki UK that it’s not about gaudy decals and leather seats. You need to have a theme for a special edition model which should be unique and the whole car should be customized around the theme.

This Suzuki Swift Attitude definitely gets a thumbs up from us!

According to SuzukiFan.com, Suzuki is planning to stretch the Solio to accommodate an extra row of seats. This makes the Solio a three-row mini MPV. SuzukiFan claims the plan is to make this a global model and not restrict it to the Japanese market. Indonesia is a probable production center if the report is to be believed.

Maruti Suzuki had put the Solio, MR Wagon and Pallete on display at the Expo to get India’s thoughts on the models. As my team mate Kaustubh often writes in his stories, Maruti is the “king pin” of the small car market and is always looking for gaps where it can plug with variants or upgrades. The Maruti lineup has grown with the retention of the Swift Dzire even after the replacement was introduced.

The Solio could be the third model in the 3.5-5 lakh rupee price bracket (on top of A-Star and Wagon R). A stretched Solio could be India’s first sub 4-meter family MPV if Maruti Suzuki decides to sell it.

[Source - SuzukiFan.com]

Suzuki Italy has officially unveiled a Swift dedicated to Monkey Punch’s iconic Lupin III character. Lupin III is an anime series that follows the adventures of a gang of thieves led by Arsène Lupin III who is touted to be the greatest thief in the world.

The car comes in either a 4-cylinder, 1.2-liter engine or a 1.3-liter turbo diesel. The car is only available in ‘Passion Red’ and comes with chrome accents on the door handles and fog lights. Sounds pretty normal?

Well, it also comes with a ten-year insurance policy that protects against theft, robbery, and fire.

The question however is, is it enough to keep it safe from the mighty Lupin?

[Source: auto.suzuki.it]