Suzuki Swift Attitude : A DOSE OF EXTRA ATTITUDE

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Looking for a budget-priced supermini with a little more about it? Suzuki's Swift Attitude special edition might fit the bill. Jonathan Crouch reports

If you had to sum up in a single word what Suzuki's latest generation Swift supermini holds over its predecessor, then `attitude' would be quite a good one. The look is sharper, the drive more dynamic. Some owners even specify their cars with double Ford GT40-like white stripes. Appropriate then that the special edition three-door version we look at here bears an `attitude' badge, offering the look of the Sport hot hatch but the running costs of an entry-level 1.3-litre petrol version.

Prior to the current Swift, Suzuki had no real presence in the small car sector, something that changed almost overnight when the new generation Swift supermini was unveiled in 2005. All right, so the numbers still aren't huge but the little Japanese brand can at last hold its head up high in almost any kind of small car comparison. Of course, those likeable looks are becoming more familiar now and, with a whole host of tough new rivals, the UK importers want to prevent their product from getting ignored. Hence the introduction of a special edition version that offers a whole lot more attitude for the cost of an entry-level model. So what do you get for the ten grand asking price? Well, much of the look and feel of the top of the line `Sport' model is the answer. So there's air conditioning, plus driver and passenger sports seats. Keyless start will also be welcome as long as (unlike me) you can figure out how it works. Electric windows and heated door mirrors are also included as standard. The interior follows a silver effect theme, which is complemented by a silver-stitched leather-covered steering wheel. Outside, there are body-coloured bumpers and rear roof spoiler, tinted windows, 17-inch alloy wheels, a chrome-covered tailpipe and halogen headlamps. You also get six airbags, with ABS braking plus EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution to maximise braking effect). Just 500 Attitude models will be produced. Unless they sell well of course, in which case, Suzuki will doubtless build plenty more. Take a seat inside and one of the first things you'll notice is the centrally mounted information display that 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.

"A whole lot more attitude for the cost of an entry-level modelâ€¦.."

Power comes from the 91bhp 1.3-litre petrol unit that most Swift buyers choose. Fuel economy is key in a car like the Swift and an average of 45.6mpg is a good showing. This engine is capable of hitting 60mph from standstill in 11 seconds on the way to its 109mph top speed. Compare that to the 8.9s and 115mph of the lookalike 1.5-litre Swift Sport and it doesn't appear that Attitude buyers are losing out too much. And of course, both models share the same chuck-able handling, though buyers of this special edition have to do without the Sport model's stiffened suspension. Still, the £2,000 saving they'll enjoy has to be felt somewhere. One of the key factors in the Swift's handling and packaging is the fact that the chassis offers the class widest track (1470mm wide at the front and 1480 at the back), which in turn translates into the greatest overall width of any car in the supermini class (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. The big thing weighing in this Swift's favour is its obvious value for money but what of the ongoing running costs? In terms of cost per mile figures, which take factors such as depreciation, insurance, servicing and cost of finance into account, this variant will work out pretty cheap to run at around 30 pence per mile. Even with the familiarity of the passing years, the Swift remains no bad looker, particularly in three-door-only Attitude guise. Rather than being an amorphous blob like some other superminis, this one has a pronounced bonnet line and a very shapely contour along its shoulders. A wide airdam and big headlamps give the car a distinctive `face' and the big wheels at each corner of the car give the impression that it's solidly planted to the road. The black pillars produce 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. The interior is also very different from what we've 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 Suzuki's sports bike expertise, the tachometer dial features a zero mark at the six o'clock position. Special editions based on poor models are easy to dismiss. Those that up the value factor on fundamentally strong models that may be being a little unfairly overlooked are worth the page space. The Swift Attitude is certainly one of these. Get the right deal and you could find it to be your right car.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Suzuki Swift Attitude
PRICE: £9,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 4
CO2 EMISSIONS: 140g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11s / Max Speed 109mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.3 DDiS] (urban) 49.6mpg / (extra urban) 69mpg / (combined) 61.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Width/Wheelbase cm 169/239