Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport

may make its way to India

Enthusiasts rejoice! Maruti Suzuki India Limited is currently evaluating the launch of the next-generation Swift Sport in India.

Picture courtesy: AVTOFOKUS
The Maruti Suzuki Swift has for long been the hatchback of choice for car enthusiasts across the country ever since it was launched in 2005. The first generation Swift captured the imagination of enthusiasts with its cheeky styling that resembled the Mini Cooper. The neutral handling coupled to the initial powertrain it was offered with - the 1.3-litre NA from the Esteem - meant that it had a lot of tuning potential as well. Not surprising then that one sees so many modified Swifts blitzing down our city streets. However, the one variant that enthusiasts were waiting for was the Swift Sport. This version was mostly sold in Japan and Europe and came with a high-revving 1.6-litre naturally aspirated DOHC four cylinder engine with variable valve timing which also featured high lift cams, forged pistons and strengthened valve springs. The first generation Swift Sport put out 123bhp while the second generation came with 136 horses under the hood. In Europe, the Swift Sport was available as a 3-door and a 5-door and featured sportier bumpers and spoilers, 16-inch wheels, twin sport exhaust pipes, a stiffer suspension along with sport seats.

Unfortunately, Maruti never brought that version or the one after that to the country which left many disappointed. However, things are looking much brighter now with the introduction of hot hatches like the Fiat Punto Abarth and the upcoming Polo GT TSI. While the next generation Swift is likely to be launched sometime next year, a recent report from Autocar India says that MSIL is also evaluating the launch of the next-generation Swift Sport in India. It seems to me like that Maruti is finally willing to take a bet with the sportier version of the Swift as the Baleno has replaced it as the more premium hatchback. 

The second generation Swift Sport packed 136 horses under the hood and came with stiffened spring and larger wheels.

This does not mean that the launch of the Baleno RS has been put off. The sportier Baleno will be launched early next year and will compete with the VW Polo GT TSI and the Fiat Punto Abarth both of which cost close to the Rs 10 lakh region. That leaves Maruti some space for a hot hatchback in the Rs 7-10 lakh space and this where I think the Swift Sport will slot in perfectly. While being a cheaper alternative to the above mentioned cars, this version will also enhance the appeal of the Swift which, to be frank, has lost some of its appeal since the launch of the Baleno last year.
The pictures or rather renderings of the Swift that were leaked earlier this year was in fact that of the Sport version rather than the standard one. (Check this thread for more details of the 2017 Swift: https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/post...ictures-leaked). The Swift Sport, as is evident from the picture below, will feature a more aggressive design than the standard version. Expect most of the features like the larger air dam, big wheels, blacked-out rear diffuser and twin exhaust pipes you see below to be part of the standard kit.

Now comes the most important aspect of the Swift Sport - the powertrain. While the Autocar India report says the Swift Sport will receive the 1.4-litre four cylinder Boosterjet engine that currently powers the Grand Vitara in international markets, I have my doubts on this claim. The reason: Why would Maruti give the Swift Sport the larger engine when the more expensive Baleno RS will only get the smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet engine. The 1.4-litre Boosterjet engine makes 140bhp while the 1.0-litre Boosterjet puts out only 110bhp. 
I have a strong feeling that Maruti Suzuki will plonk in the the tinier engine from the upcoming Baleno RS as the company has already started producing it at the Manesar plant. Also, the 1.0-litre engine will also help the Swift Sport get excise benefits while the 1.4-litre won’t. This will enable the company to price it at around 7-8 lakh which would, in all likelihood, put it squarely against the upcoming Tata Tiago Sport hatchback. Expect the Swift Sport to make its Indian debut in post the launch of the standard 2017 Swift sometime late 2107 or early 2018. With customers warming up to the idea of hot hatchbacks, this seems like the perfect time for Maruti Suzuki to capture this segment before anyone else can lay their claim.