Postpone by rising Japanese automobile costs however nonetheless wish to scratch your JDM itch? So far as low-cost, enjoyable thrills go, the Suzuki Swift Sport is a no brainer. Right here’s what it is advisable know earlier than shopping for one.
Phrases: Dan Bevis.
Suzuki Swift Sport Mk3 Historical past
The third-generation Suzuki Swift Sport has turn into a correctly fascinating factor in 2022, not least for the truth that it’s so surprisingly reasonably priced. These perky little pocket-rockets, which had been offered from 2012-17, can now be picked up for as little as £3,500 – and that’s a number of B-road mayhem for the money. The truth is, for a automobile that’s nonetheless moderately current and provides such driving pleasure, it’s a stone-cold cut price.
The European-spec Suzuki Swift vehicles had been inbuilt Hungary moderately than Japan, and the Sport model acquired the M16A 1.6-litre twin-cam 16v motor in 136bhp guise. Peak energy arrives at a heady 6,800rpm, accompanied by a frantic soundtrack that belies the modest energy out there – that’s to say, it’s fast, nevertheless it appears like a rocketship since you’re revving the nuts off it! The spec contains light-weight 17” alloys, HID lights, a Sport bodykit with tasteful spoilers, leather-based steering wheel, and uprated suspension. There have been a number of upgrades through the years to contemplate; 2013 Suzuki Swift Sport fashions have LED DRLs, and from 2014 there was a 6.1inch infotainment touchscreen as commonplace. And if you’ll find one, the limited-run Suzuki Swift Sport SZ-R was a UK particular version of 100 vehicles which, for a further £500, supplied two-tone black and crimson paint, revised bumpers and diffuser, a distinct gearknob and a numbered plaque. However whichever Swift Sport you go for, you’re assured zingy back-road thrills and, in fact, that feeling that you simply’ve grabbed your self a little bit of a cut price.
What to look out for on the Suzuki Swift Sport (2012-2017)
Engine and transmission
Whereas each producer appears to be pivoting towards compelled induction as a way to steadiness energy with emissions, followers of old-school revvy motors can be happy to study that Suzuki caught steadfastly with a naturally-aspirated setup for the Swift Sport. The 1.6-litre M16A engine is a playful 16v twin-cam they usually’ve tickled the additional energy out within the basic approach, with high-lift cams and a crafty tweaks to the consumption size. The important thing numbers are 136bhp, 118.lb.ft, 0-62mph in 8.7s, and a 121mph prime pace. First rate sufficient figures in a small hatch that’s agile and – crucially – gentle, and naturally there’s potential to make all of this spicier. It’s not Honda Civic Kind R EP3 efficiency, nevertheless it’ll have you ever smiling as whether it is.
There aren’t too many notable points with the drivetrain on these vehicles, so simply be sure to’re wanting on the proper areas to make sure all the things’s A-OK. All Swifts will most probably endure from marked clutch judder sooner or later or one other, and this can be notably noticeable when the climate’s chilly. They will soldier on for some time like this, however you’re higher off changing the clutch sooner moderately than later. Don’t be too anxious by a notchy gear-change although, as some contemporary oil ought to resolve this. The Swift’s been topic to a variety of recollects (brake fluid leak, stability management problem, tyres fouling bodywork, and unfastened water pump) so be sure that the automobile’s been again to the supplier when it ought to have. Comb by means of the historical past and examine for normal servicing too, because the official service intervals are comparatively quick and also you wish to be sure it’s all the time had contemporary sufficient oil in there.
Need extra energy from you Suzuki Swift Sport?
In fact you do, and that’s simply achievable. Exhaust and induction must be your first port of name for bolt-ons, and the mannequin is properly served by the heavy hitters out there: there’s a Blitz Nur exhaust system out there for the Sport, or an HKS Legamax, and with regards to induction kits there’s the Blitz Advance Energy Consumption and the HKS RSK Reloaded, each of that are large-cone hard-pipe setups that present actual features and make a terrific noise.
Should you fancy cracking the engine open to unleash extra, a set of cams from Schrick or Toda will remodel the character of the motor. And there are even compelled induction choices out there: the GReddy/Belief turbo package is a confirmed entity, and TTS Efficiency provide a full-service package deal to supercharge the Swift, bringing energy up above 200bhp. At that time, you’ll most likely be wanting to suit a helical LSD too, and MFactory can present.
Chassis
It’s a easy however efficient recipe beneath the Swift Sport: Macpherson struts up entrance, and a torsion beam on the rear. (And don’t be too harsh on the concept of a torsion beam – Peugeot 205 GTIs had them and look how a lot folks love these!) The dealing with’s enjoyable, and there’s oodles of potential within the aftermarket to make it much more enjoyable: probably the greatest methods to enhance the Swift Sport is to get it stiffer and nearer to the bottom – a set of BC Racing coilovers is simply the job to attain this. Extremely Racing anti-roll bars are an awesome addition to the Swift chassis too, and really cost-effective; these can be found from the likes of Tegiwa.
The Sport has disc brakes all spherical (nonetheless not all the time a given on the inexpensive finish of the hatchback market), they usually’re fairly robust in inventory kind, though the calipers can generally tend to stay. The only improve to maximise efficiency right here is to swap in a set of EBC grooved discs and Yellow Stuff pads – or if you wish to go one step additional and vastly enhance braking whereas additionally eliminating the danger of sticking, there’s an honest 4-pot improve out there from Yellowspeed Racing.
Inside
The inside may be very properly designed by way of its structure, and the Sport seats provide first rate help. You’ve acquired to keep in mind that this was a hatchback on the price range finish of the spectrum, so the odd little bit of rattly inside trim is to be anticipated, notably the glovebox lid and seatbelt mechanisms. Normal tools is first rate although, and also you get a leather-based steering wheel and local weather management in addition to keyless entry and computerized headlights. Fashions offered from 2014-on acquired a 6.1” sat-nav display screen with DAB radio. So it’s all completely nice in right here – however in case you’ve acquired a little bit of price range, there are large enhancements to be made in having the cabin retrimmed in some higher-quality supplies (a pleasant comfortable nappa leather-based, say) by someplace like D:Class or Plush Automotive. Or you can simply tear all of it out and match a Cusco rollcage with a single Bride Zeta III seat.
Exterior
It’s a fairly fashionable factor, coming from the manufacturing unit with a chunky rear diffuser, tasteful skirts, and a meatier grille than lesser fashions – and it’s stable too, having a 5-star EuroNCAP score. By way of what to look out for, the one actual bugbear with these vehicles is that some homeowners received’t have been as cautious as others, so examine the shutlines for proof of accident harm. Ideally you wish to purchase one from a pensioner who’s been pottering round city moderately than a headstrong tearaway who’s misjudged issues in a forest.
Headlight bulbs are disappointing of their effectiveness, as are wiper blades – each of which might be improved by aftermarket gadgets. And with regards to bettering the aesthetics, you have got a number of choices. Consider carefully about wheel measurement, as plus-size show-car diameter received’t profit from the dealing with (relies upon how you intend to make use of the automobile, actually); with a PCD of 5×114.3 your choices are large open, and it doesn’t have weird offsets to fret about – the inventory wheel choices had been ET45 or ET50.
Much less-is-more is the watchword with the styling. There are many candy carbon fibre upgrades out there on the Japanese aftermarket (lots of that are imported by Nengun), together with a GReddy rear spoiler and Tryforce entrance lip, and the Sport Aero bodykit from Sunline Racing is tasteful and properly made.
Widespread issues on the Suzuki Swift Sport (2012-2017)
- Handbrakes are notoriously weak, so be sure it may possibly maintain the automobile on an incline – it’s a great bargaining chip, as most of the time it’s a easy alignment problem
- Engines can sound tappety when chilly, though checking and adjusting the valve clearances ought to kind it fairly simply
- Minor oil leaks aren’t unprecedented, so examine for weeping from the assorted gaskets
- Head gaskets can fail – examine for mayonnaise within the oil, and look the place the temperature needle sits: it must be proper in the midst of the gauge
- Gearboxes aren’t bulletproof, so examine the historical past to see that the fluid has been modified commonly; no less than each three years is good
- Keyless entry could be a bit hit-and-miss – generally it’ll solely open one door
- All Swifts will get a juddery clutch sooner or later which is an indication it’s ripe for imminent alternative – be sure to examine when it was final performed, and alter your shopping for value accordingly
- Brake calipers might be sticky; not an excessive amount of of a problem of a automobile that’s being commonly used, however concentrate on this in vehicles which have sat for an extended whereas
Tech Spec: Suzuki Swift Sport (2012-2017)
Engine: 1586cc, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, M16A
Transmission: Six-speed guide
Energy: 136bhp – @ 6900rpm
Torque: 118lb ft @ 4400rpm
Weight: 1045kg
0-62mph: 8.7 seconds
Prime Velocity: 121mph
MPG: 44.1 (mixed)
