Indian Autos blog

EVs are big business these days. Almost all manufacturers are developing EVs or have production ready EVs all set to take the market by storm. Some manufacturers such as Nissan have already started selling EVs (Nissan Leaf) despite of the infrastructure crunch in US. Stricter emission norms, rise in pollutions, fear of global warming and many other reasons contribute to the popularity of EVs.Now, India’s most popular hatchback – The  [ Read More ]

At the 2011 MPG Marathon conducted this month Britain, the new Swift with the 67PS 1.3-liter Fiat-sourced diesel engine recorded an amazing mileage of 86.4 MPG (30.59 kpl).

Note that the UK market Swift has a lower output compared to the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The fuel quality in the UK is arguably superior to what we our pumps manage, leading to better results.

The fantastic mileage was recorded by the Swift driven by Southern Group Regional journalists Peter Cracknell and Dave Randle. The MPG Marathon is an annual event organized by Fleet World magazine that took 37 competing vehicles this year, putting them through a 372-mile route.

The route is a combination of open roads and city traffic, designed to model real world driving conditions. The winning car used only 19.6 liters of diesel to complete the journey.

Chinese auto blogs are carrying images of the new Suzuki Swift testing in China. Based on a new platform, the updated Swift could be manufactured by the Changan-Suzuki joint venture next year.

Car News China reports that it will take a while before China gets the new Swift. We’re carrying this news on IndianAutosBlog.com to inform others that we’re not the only nation waiting for the improved Swift.

Even though India’s among the leading markets for the Swift hatch and the only market that sells the sedan, it has been asked to wait for the new Swift since the European debut last year. There have been several reasons for its delay like -

1) Demand for the existing Swift is very strong and therefore they see no reason to change the car
2) RHD conversion takes a while, but that’s a silly excuse in 2011
3) Worker strike at the MSIL plant last month followed immediately by the maintenance shut down results in longer waiting period for the existing car
4) There’s no appreciable difference between the two generations
5) Swift is the best seller and the margins are better on the old model compared to the new one
6) Maruti wants to play the waiting game and spoil everyone’s party by doing something insane with the price

We hear from our sources that the new Swift could be launched in October. Will it come this time?

Japanese newspaper Nikkei reports that Suzuki is taking hybrid powertrains very seriously and is working hard to put a Swift hybrid into production in 2013. Suzuki displayed a hybrid version of the previous generation Swift at an auto exhibition in 2009 and that prompted speculation of a production variant. We’re not quite sure if VW has a hand in the hybrid hatchback’ development that hits the Japanese market in about two years from now.

The Swift hybrid will be rechargeable at a household socket and will sport the costly and more efficient lithium-ion battery set. It offers 30 km range and is coupled to a small petrol engine, the displacement of which wasn’t mentioned in the report. The Swift concept car shown in Tokyo 2009 used a 658cc gasoline engine powers the front-drive electric motor, which in turn produces 74hp at the front axle. The power from the engine will not be used directly to drive the wheels at any point. There were some weight saving measures in place like the light weight seats resembling an office chair. The normal Swift has a 4cyl 1.2-liter K Series engine on board.

The report adds that the hybrid variant will cost 500 thousand yen (about 2.8 lakh rupees) over the petrol model with export plans in place later in the decade.

As India patiently waits for word from Maruti Suzuki on the new Swift, European countries are receiving one special edition after another. Today we show you a special edition exclusive to the the Hungarian market.

Dubbed Swift Sky, and as the name prompts, the limited edition model will have a factory-fitted sunroof to let sunlight and gentle breeze seep through to the cabin on a beautiful summer’ day as you drive along the Balaton lake with your girlfriend.

The Sky variant is available only on the 5-door variant. Fitted with the K12B petrol engine, it is a feature-rich hatchback with six airbags, ESP and automatic climate control. Bluetooth compatibility, radio and CD player with MP3 and USB connectors makes the Swift Sky a youngster’ fantasy. Along with these, cruise control, keyless entry, push-button start and rear parking sensors are present.

India is one of the Swift’s biggest market and we’re not sure why it has taken so long for them to introduce the new model. We cannot think of another reason other than RHD (Right Hand Drive) conversion that takes not more than six months to complete. Is Maruti playing the waiting game?

As we all know that our beloved hatchback – Maruti Suzuki Swift is all set to get a complete revamp very soon. We have caught this car testing on the Indian roads countless number of times. Of course, the European markets have already received this model quite early and are fully enjoying it

However, some very interesting information has come by. CarAdvice.com.au is reporting that Suzuki has officially confirmed the diesel version of the 2011 Swift will debut in Europe on June 1.

As usual, the 2011 Swift also features the DDiS technology (essentially Fiat’s Multijet diesel technology). You get a 1.3-litre, turbo-diesel, four cylinder engine producing 74bhp of power. But the best part is that it has received an average fuel consumption rating of 3.5L/100km. This is a whopping 28Km/Litre.

The website also reports that the Swift DDiS can do a 0-100km/h dash in 12.7 seconds, with a potential top speed is 166km/h. The car also features 16-inch alloy wheels, seven airbags, air-conditioning, USB connectivity and heated electric mirrors.

The 2011 Swift petrol was launched in Europe in the September 2010. Hopefully this does not mean India has to wait for the diesel Swift 9 months after the petrol model is launched?

Our eagle-eyed reader Siddhant Jain followed the new Swift during a round of city testing in Delhi with a camera last week. IAB readers would be aware that we have posted a video of the mule undergoing tests along with exclusive spy shots earlier in the year.

According to a newspaper report, production of the new Swift at Manesar will begin in the next couple of months and will be launched either during the end of July or the beginning of August. The report adds that the company will increase production so that the Swift can inch past the i10 (from the current 13k units to up to 17k units in August) to become the best seller in its segment.

The new Swift will be launched with the same 1.3-liter Multi-jet diesel engine and the 1.2-liter K Series engine which may be fitted with variable valve timing technology.

The new Suzuki Swift has arrived and within the next few months, Maruti Suzuki will start selling it. There aren’t going to be any changes under the hood of the new Swift, but literally everything else has changed, gotten bigger, evolved and evened out.

In the making is a new Suzuki Swift sedan, which could be the ideal car for Maruti, say between the new Swift and the SX4. But for now, enjoy these motion shots of the new Swift that isn’t very far away from a Maruti Suzuki dealership.