Suzuki IGNIS SPORT
Meet The Ignis Sport, An Energetic Derivative Tasked With Injecting Some Warm-Hatch Credentials Into Suzukis Small Car Line-Up. Steve Walker Reports
Beyond its name, which is derived from the Latin for fire, there hasnt been much about the
Suzuki Ignis that suggested speed, performance or dynamism of any kind - until now. The car is what Suzuki like to refer to as a Multi Compact but you and I would do better to think of it as a benchmark supermini-sized vehicle with a higher than average ride height. It offers sensible family motoring with practical virtues at its core but those searching for excitement have from launch, found little to appeal. Hence the Ignis Sport model featured here, an altogether zippier version with the pizzazz to raise the Igniss profile beyond that of family favourite.
Genuine motorsport pedigree of the four-wheeled variety is a little thin on the ground at Suzuki or so you might think. In fact, the manufacturer is keen to play the point that the Ignis Sport is a "direct result" of their exploits in the Junior World Rally Championships with the Ignis Super 1600 JWRC car. Even so, any prospective buyer who harbours hopes of the £9,999 Ignis Sport approaching the outrageous performance levels of other Japanese road-going rally cars will be sorely disappointed. Still, Suzuki have made sure it can provide a useful turn of speed along with agreeably sporty looks, so as not to unduly embarrass their fledgling motorsport wing. The petrol goes in and the Ignis Sports 1.
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5-litre 16-valve VVT engine puts out 107bhp through the front wheels at 6,500rpm. This isnt really going to worry the hardcore hot-hatch brigade but the vehicles lightweight design helps acceleration and the compact dimensions make you suspect that youre going faster that you actually are. Theres also the engines high-revving nature, aided by variable valve timing technology, to spur you on and the not-insignificant matter of 140Nm/ft of torque at 4,000rpm. This equates to decent responsiveness through the middle of the rev-range that aids overtaking and makes the Ignis Sport generally more adaptable to different driving conditions.
No warmed-over hatchback would be complete without the old spoiler and bodykit ensemble and the Ignis Sports does the job with an overall effect thats pleasingly similar to the Ignis JWRC car mentioned earlier. Theres a roof-mounted spoiler protruding from the back above the rear window and this probably does more to differentiate the Sport from normal Ignis models that any of the other alterations. Then theres the deeper, re-moulded front bumper and the curving skirts running along the vehicles sides that arc up to accentuate the wheel-arches. A set of 15-inch aluminium alloy wheels that do a thorough job of filling those oversize arches supply the final touch.
Suzuki are keen to point out that these exterior styling add-ons are not simply cosmetic. "Extensive wind tunnel testing" has apparently demonstrated that they improve handling and, presumably, that they dont detach themselves from the car in blustery conditions.
"A fun, affordable warm-hatch thats out of the ordinary and offers a viable alternative to the mainstream"
The Ignis, with its tall high-riding design, isnt a vehicle that readily volunteers itself for conversion into a sharp-handling hatchback. Suzuki are more inclined to market the GA and GL derivatives that comprise the rest of the range as urban runabouts - emphasising the lofty seating positions that afford the driver a better view of the traffic-clogged streets. To put the Ignis Sport in a better position for some tarmac-hugging action, theyve lowered it by a good two inches and stiffened the suspension. Theres also a close ratio 5-speed gearbox, which is involving enough to use and helps the car get up to speed with some briskness.
The specially-designed sports exhaust system has been cunningly tailored to boost power output and engine efficiency. It delivers a crisp, purposeful note that belies the Igniss size - and probably its ability too. When it comes to the Ignis Sports interior, youll find many of the usual clues that manufacturers use to illustrate a models sporting intentions. The instrument dials have been given a white backdrop and a flick of the headlight switch will have them bathed in blue by the LED backlighting.
The panels are spruced-up with carbon fibre-effect plastic and theres tactile leather to cover the gear knob as well as the steering wheel. The Ignis Sport comes with pair of racing-style seats in the front that were designed for Suzuki by none other than Recaro. Theyre supportive round the bends and right on the money aesthetically, as products from the emperors of in-car seating arrangements usually are. Lovely seats aside, the Ignis Sports internal layout isnt as accommodating as it could have been.
Being the showpiece performance derivative in the range, the Sport is offered only in 3-door form where other Ignis buyers can choose two extra apertures for a small additional outlay. The legroom thats available for rear passengers is actually quite good but it comes at the expense of any significant luggage space to speak of. Youll need to manoeuvre the 50/50 split-folding rear bench into the down position to carry a load of any consequence and where does that leave your poor passengers? On the bus, thats where. Luckily, luggage space is further down the priorities lists of most sporty hatchback buyers than it might be for other motorists and if you want suitable locations to house your odds and ends, the Ignis Sport offers plenty of them.
Cup holders are provided for driver and passenger, theres a mobile phone compartment in the centre console and a shelf under the dashboard for other items. Add the usual door pockets for maps, paperwork etc and youve got a comprehensive range of places for you to store the kinds of objects that usually collect and clutter-up your car. To round-up the Suzuki Ignis Sport; its a useful addition to the wider Ignis range, in that it opens up the model to a group of buyers who may not normally have considered spending their money on a compact Japanese car. Performance is swift enough to raise a smile, although its not going to grab too many headlines, and the car could do important work in enhancing Suzukis credibility with a younger audience.
In short a fun, affordable warm-hatch thats out of the ordinary and offers a viable alternative to the mainstream.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CARS: Suzuki Ignis Sport
PRICES: £9,999 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 9
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.9s / Max Speed 115mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 41mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: (length/width/height) 3615/1595/1585mm
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