Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS
Launching a small car without a diesel engine in the current market is like trying to pull a bank robbery with a banana. Cover the deficiency well enough and you may get away with it for a time but eventually, the customers are going to find you out. Suzukis Swift arrived in showrooms atop a wave of critical acclaim that was previously unprecedented where small Suzukis were concerned but without an oil-burning option, its days in the forefront of buyers minds looked numbered. Then, just as the initial furore was starting to subside and the need for diesel power was growing more urgent, the 1.
3-litre DDiS powerplant arrived. The range suddenly took on a more rounded feel and the competition started to look nervously over their shoulders.
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Fuel economy is the obvious benefit of filling-up from the black handled pump and, sure enough, the Swift DDiS is offers a thrifty official average consumption of 61.4mpg. This isnt the massive benefit that it first appears because the petrol 1.3-litre model turns in a 46mpg average and the 1.
5-litre petrol can manage 44mpg theyre also both substantially cheaper than the 1.3-litre DDiS. At £9,999, the oil-burner is £2,000 more than the entry-level 1.3-litre petrol and youd have to run it for over 120,000 miles before you recouped the difference on fuel costs alone (80,000-miles if you compare it to the 1.
5-litre petrol). Where the diesel option does start to look more appealing financially is in its low C02 emissions (which position it in a lower road tax bracket than the petrol choices), and its higher residual values - even if these are unlikely to be on a par with rival superminis from mainstream brands. The insurance group is a lowly 4A as well, the same as the 1.3-litre petrol.
Ownership costs are definitely a strongpoint of the Swift DDiS but the factor that should attract most buyers is the diesels driving experience. The engine itself is slightly unusual in that as well as the latest common-rail injection architecture, it also employs a turbocharger and intercooler. The result is a flatter torque curve than youll find in many rival diesel superminis. That means improved engine response and flexibility at a wider range of engine speeds.
"Ownership costs are definitely a strongpoint of the Swift DDiS"
With its maximum torque of 170Nm, the DDiS has significantly more low-end grunt even than the 1.5-litre petrol unit with its 133Nm output. Higher in the rev range, despite the diesels impressive flexibility, the 1.5 petrol feels more eager thanks to its 101bhp rating but low and mid-range punchiness is the name of the game for urban motoring and the 64bhp 1.
3-litre DDiS has plenty of that. The Swift handles very adeptly, remaining composed in the corners and giving good feedback to the driver through the well-sprung suspension. On the road, the springs can be a bit noisy when travelling over bumps but most keen drivers will happily put up with that as a trade-off against the cars sporty character. The Swifts handling and packaging are key strong points and both are helped by the fact that the chassis offers the widest track in the class (1470mm wide at the front and 1480 at the back), which in turn translates into the greatest overall width of any supermini (1,690mm).
Coupled with a long wheelbase and compact engines, this frees up plenty of room in the cabin and allows for a 213-litre luggage area. Visually, the Swift is refreshingly different, offering what Suzuki calls a "1.5 box" design. Rather than being an amorphous blob, the Swift has a pronounced bonnet line and a very shapely contour along its shoulders. A wide air dam and big headlamps give the car a distinctive face and the big wheels at each corner of the car give the impression that its solidly planted to the road. The black pillars give the car a floating glasshouse effect and the wraparound glazing helps to promote better all round visibility.
The rear of the car is even more expressive, with thickset haunches and a roof that melds into an integrated spoiler. Overall, theres more than a hint of new MINI about the car and Suzuki will be more than happy if some of the trendy image of BMWs baby rubs off. The interior is also very different from what weve come to expect from Suzuki. Again a wraparound theme dominates, with smoothly curved surfaces and a number of bright ideas.
The illuminated ring around the speedometer is a welcome change from the usual chrome rings and the three-spoke steering wheel looks agreeably sporty. Taking its cue from Suzukis sports bike expertise, the tachometer dial features a zero mark at the six oclock position. A centrally mounted information display takes care of the time, fuel consumption and outside temperature functions. Suzuki have listened to customers who are tired of manipulating tiny, fiddly audio and climate buttons and have instead opted for big, easy to reach dial-type controls.
The audio system can also be operated from a set of optional wheel-mounted switches. Where the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol choices are offered in GL and GLX trim levels respectively, the 1.
3-litre DDiS diesel is a trim level in its own right. The actual specification is virtually identical to the 1.5-litre GLX cars with only the petrols keyless entry system being omitted so buyers get plenty of the good stuff. Air-conditioning, alloy wheels and front fog lamps all feature as does a CD stereo, electric windows and remote central locking.
Is the 1.3 DDiS diesel the pick of the Suzuki Swift range? The answer is a resounding, it depends what youre looking for. Buyers for whom price is the prime determining factor wont be able to see past the 1.3-litre petrol car while people who select their vehicles purely on grounds of 0-60mph acceleration and top speed will favour the 1.
5. If, however, you take the longer view - looking at ownership costs and residual values while also weighing up the DDiS Swifts generous specification and muscular performance - it may well look the best bet.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS
PRICE: £9,999 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 4A
CO2 EMISSIONS: 122g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.2s / Max Speed 102mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 61.4mpg (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Width/Wheelbase cm 169/239
