THE SWIFT 1.2 sports a more aggressive-looking grille with halogen fog lamps.
If you fell in love with the Swift 1.4-liter, introduced in 2011, but found the price to be a little on the high side (P729,000 for the five-speed manual and P769,000 for the four-speed automatic transmission), you had better grab the chance to get the Swift 1.2-liter which was formally introduced to the Philippine market just yesterday.
Around 200 units have been initially shipped from Maruti Suzuki in India earlier this year, and are expected to clear the Bureau of Customs later this month and be seen in showrooms next month.
Aside from the incredibly low introductory price of P608,000, the Swift 1.2 will have turn lights on each side mirror, standard halogen fog lamps, a more aggressive-looking grille, and a minimum ground clearance of 170 millimeters, approximately 30 mm higher than the 1.4 liter.
The 1.2-liter engine will of course mean a slightly lower maximum performance of 87 HP at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 114 Nm at 4,000 rpm (compared to the 1.4-liter variant’s 94 HP at 6000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4000 rpm), but it promises better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
And for young professionals and new car owners who live in the city, the Swift 1.2 will ideally answer budget concerns (low gasoline consumption based on an average 18.6 km per liter test on a combined city and highway driving) and urban driving challenges (city traffic and navigation).
Made in India
If you’re concerned that the Swift 1.2-liter isn’t made in Japan like its 1.4-liter version, actually seeing Suzuki vehicles surmounting tough road conditions in New Delhi, India, where the
FABRIC seat covering, and power features on steering, locks, windows, and mirrors make up an improved cockpit.
Maruti Suzuki plant is located will quickly put such concerns to rest.
During an arranged visit by Suzuki Philippines for selected members of the local press to a 506-kilometer run from New Delhi to Agra (where the Taj Mahal is to be found) and back within the same day, it is understandable why Suzukis have become a favorite ride for India nationals.
The city roads of New Delhi and Agra are comparatively in a tougher state, needing repairs on many stretches, often narrow and winding, and highly congested with vehicles of all sizes, motorcyles, tricycles and carts attached to bicycles or pushed by people.
As to be expected, few vehicles plying these roads would remain without dents or scratches, but the more outstanding observation would have been the rigidity of the Suzukis to withstand the rigors of such road conditions.
Even the air-conditioning in the Suzukis we rode were a formidable match to the 50-degree heat of the country’s hammering sun. The A/C was powerful enough to allow us to take cat naps especially when speeding through the newly opened 165-km Yamuna Expressway linking New Delhi and Agra.
Tough enough
Clearly, the Maruti Suzuki-made Swift 1.2 will be more than ready to face Metro Manila’s road and heat conditions.
“We are introducing the Swift 1.2 to the Philippines to make the well-loved Suzuki Swift available to a wider audience. At Suzuki, we are continuously innovating to make our products responsive to the needs of the markets where we operate. This new variant will offer the same great value and best in class performance of the Suzuki Swift in a much more affordable package,” Suzuki Philippines president Hiroshi Suzuki said.
The inside of the Swift 1.2 has the same sporty yet premium look of the Swift 1.4, with comparable creature comforts as audio controls on the steering wheel, a USB port for charging smartphones, fabric seat covering, and power features on steering, locks, windows and mirrors.
THE 1.2-LITER engine promises better fuel efficiency.
This five-door hatchback looks and feels spacious enough to seat four big men. The folding backseat is ideal for loading large items.
The all-new Swift 1.2 will be available in blazing red, glistening grey, silky silver, pearl arctic white, and midnight black. The staring price for the manual transmission is at P608,000, while the automatic version is at P648,000.
Suzuki Philippines Inc. is the only integrated motorcycle and automobile company in the country today.
For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.ph and like them on www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH.
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