New Suzuki Swift spied

The next-generation Suzuki Swift has been spied testing at the Nurburgring, Germany.

Sources within the company describe the new car as “a design evolution of the current model. It looks more grown up, but will have the same sort of appeal."

The model pictured here is the Swift in its five-door guise, although the heavy disguise gives little away about its styling. The interior has also been captured for the first time.

The small hatchback is the biggest-selling model in Suzuki’s line-up, accounting for over 54,000 sales in the UK since the car was launched in 2005, and the company makes no secret of how vital the new model is.

It will ride on a completely new platform, and will feature a range of small petrol engines that will utilise advanced variable-valve technology and possibly turbocharging to improve economy and performance.

There are no details regarding the diesel engines available, but with Volkswagen’s recently acquired 20 per cent stake in Suzuki there is speculation that the German maker could provide the diesel tech in the new Swift.