India-bound Maruti Swift engine details revealed

Suzuki has launched the new Swift in Japan, providing us with new details on what we can expect from the India-bound hatchback. Even when the fourth-gen Swift was showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, engine specifications had yet to be revealed, and all we knew was that it gets a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol powerplant (Z12E) from Suzuki’s Z Series of engines. We now have the outputs, gearbox details and mileage figures for the Japan-spec Swift.

1. New Swift’s 1.2-litre Z12E engine makes 82hp, 108Nm
2. Swift mild hybrid gets 3hp and 60Nm more
3. WLTP-rated figures are 23.4kpl and 24.5kpl for standard and mild-hybrid

For the Japanese market, the Swift’s 1,197cc, 12-valve DOHC engine makes 82hp at 5,700rpm and 108Nm at 4,500rpm, and for now, there’s only a CVT gearbox is available. Suzuki also offers a mild-hybrid option that is said to add 3.1hp and 60Nm of torque from a DC synchronous motor. The fuel efficiency figures for the standard and mild-hybrid Swift are 23.4kpl and 24.5kpl, respectively, on the WLTP cycle.

We had reported on how the volumetric efficiency and torque of the Z Series engines would be an improvement over the K Series units, but that would also result in the Z12 losing out on the K12’s free-revving nature. Instead, the new three-pot engine is said to focus on stronger pulling power at the bottom end of its rev range. For some perspective, the current K12 engine in the Swift – which is a four-cylinder unit displacing 1,197cc – develops 90hp at 6,000rpm and 113Nm at 4,400rpm.

As is the case for the Suzuki Swift for Japan, 4WD versions will also be offered. 

India-bound Maruti Swift powertrain details

While the Swift that is coming to India in the second half of 2024 will have the same Z12E engine, the power outputs and fuel-efficiency figures are unknown. There will most likely be a mild hybrid option available at launch, but we don’t expect the CVT gearbox to come to India. The next-gen Swift would most likely continue with an AMT transmission, along with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Swift headed to India will also be FWD only.

Road testing in India for the Swift has already begun and we expect some details on the next-gen car to be announced in the coming months.