Nifty, Suzuki. Very nifty. And cute, definitely cute, as well as giving you an ace in the driving glove when you want to cut through the morning automotive logjam with a sudden spurt of GT-like acceleration.
It's the Suzuki Swift Sport, with the emphasis on the third word. The Japanese Meister of Minicar Making has slung a 1.6-litre, quad-valve, 92kW/148Nm, four-cylinder engine between the front wheels, hooked it to a very nice five-speed gearbox and tuned the whole shebang for 200km/h and a sub-nine second burst to 100km/h.
Quite a change from other Swifts' performance but tameable somewhat with all-disc anti-lock brakes and a number of braking aids. Claimed fuel consumption is six to seven litres/100km depending on where and how you are driving.
And bear in mind that a new-look Swift will be in SA in 2011.
The all-disc braking system, with vented front and solid rear discs, is equipped with ABS, EBD and EBA to ensure that the Sport's considerable urge is coupled to equally prodigious stopping power and electronic stability control that works with exclusive Monroe shock-absorbers.
It's all kept off the ground by exclusive 17" alloy rims shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 195/45 radials. Very sexy.
There was no actual media launch of the car in SA but motoring.co.za was one of the first of the print and electronic publications to be delivered of one for a week's test, down here in Cape Town where cars go best.
Essentially, this Swift is a two-door sports coupe for the younger set who will enjoy its extra urge but are not in the habit of doing cross-country runs with the family on board several times a year; rear-seat space is modest (but they fold to accommodate a week's worth of luggage), front seats supportive for when the going gets a trifle sideways.
The power-assisted steering wheel is thick-rimmed and leather-trimmed and forms a fashion statement with the stubby gearshifter and stainless-steel pedals that are studded with rubber inserts. Aluminium-look finishes and chromed door releases, Suzuki says, "add further visual lustre".
The instrument binnacle houses speedometer and rev counter with red needles. There's also a trip data computer and an audio system that contains a front-loading CD player, FM/AM tuner and MP3 capability driving six speakers. There's a second set of control on the steering wheel.
PELMET OF A REAR SPOILER
Power windows and external mirrors, remote control for the central locking and auto aircon are also included along with front, side and curtain crash bags.
Not only is the car nifty and cute, it's also kind of sneaky. The double black grilles are a bit of a giveaway but there's nothing really that will appear in other drivers' mirrors to warn that this small car is something different - that only becomes apparent after a polite snarl from its exhausts on downshift and a swift pass at which point the game is up.
The tail sports a pelmet of a rear spoiler and below the rear bumper another black grille and that's been speared by two individual, large tail pipes, all of which will by now be disappearing into the distance. Rapidly, while you're checking the time on you limited-edition Swift Sport wristwatch that's part of the package.
Just a suggestion: the swifter Swift needs more differentiation from the standard models. It's slab sides are unexciting and the downwardly curving nose reminds me more of Santa's sled than a hot little performance car. Nevertheless, the whole package is an ideal stepping-stone up the long path of youthful driving experience - I'd buy one for my teenage daughter.
COSTLY EMISSIONS
The Suzuki Swift Sport has been in South African showrooms since the beginning of July (numbers are limited) with a tag dangling from its radio aerial that reads R199 999 and comes with a four-year or 60 000km service plan and a three-year or 100 000 km warranty. Service intervals 15 000 km.
The Swift Sport has a CO2 exhaust emissions rating of 165g/km which will cost you R3375 on top of the purchase price for being 45g/km over the upcoming ANC-inspired R75/g tax threshold.