Just days after Suzuki debuted the new-gen Swift concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, multiple camouflaged test mules of the hatchback have already been spied testing on Indian roads. While the brand called it a concept, the model showcased at the motor show was nearly production-ready. The sighting of these camouflaged test mules on our roads confirms the imminent launch of the new Swift in our market next year.
- New Swift gets evolutionary styling over its predecessor
- Gets new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Z-Series engine under the hood
- India launch slated for next year
New-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift: what do the spy shots reveal?
The test mule is heavily camouflaged, but just a look at the headlamps and tail lamps is enough to suggest that this indeed is the new-gen Swift. The design is unmistakably Swift, which means it’s mostly evolutionary when compared to its predecessor. The headlamps and tail lamps have retained their shape, but are sharper – it also gets a redesigned grille and bumper design, and there’s a strong shoulder line running the length of the car.
While Suzuki calls it the fourth-generation Swift, it is essentially based on a heavily updated version of the third-gen platform. This means the overall footprint of the hatchback is largely the same – it's only 15mm longer, 40mm narrower and 30mm taller. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,450mm. Do note that these dimensions are for the JDM model, and other than the wheelbase, some of these figures may be different on the India-spec model.
The interior is not visible on these test mules, but the cabin of the model showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show had a lot of resemblance to that of the Baleno and Fronx. The floating touchscreen unit, steering wheel, instrument cluster, HVAC controls and several switchgears are already familiar from the newer crop of Maruti Suzuki models here in India.
The India-spec Swift, however, is not likely to get the ADAS features or rear disc brakes that the concept had at the Tokyo Motor Show. The test mule can also be seen sporting blacked-out wheels, which are possibly 16-inch units.
New-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift: powertrain options
Under the hood, the new-gen Swift concept debuted an all-new 1.2 litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. Codenamed Z12, this new engine will replace the current K-series 1.2 litre, four-cylinder powerplant.
Detailed specifications are yet to be released, but sources tell us that the company has set high fuel efficiency targets, and while power output is likely to remain similar to the K12 unit, torque would be higher. The Swift shown at the Tokyo Motor Show also had hybrid tech, however, sources say that the production-spec Swift in India will have the regular engine.
The new Maruti Suzuki Swift is expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2024 in India.
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