The Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki.
The Suzuki Swift is classified in B-segment in European single market, segment known as Supermini in British islands.Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in numerous export markets.
| Suzuki Swift | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
| Production | 1983–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini (B) |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive Front-engine, four-wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Suzuki Cultus |
International
The Suzuki Swift began in 1983 as a marketing and manufacturing rebadge of the Suzuki Cultus, a supermini (or subcompact) manufactured and marketed worldwide across three generations and four body configurations—three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and two-door convertible—and using the Suzuki G engine family.
The Swift was marketed in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) as the Cultus and elsewhere as the Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Forsa, Chevrolet Swift, Chevrolet Sprint and Sprint Metro, Geo and Chevrolet Metro, Pontiac Firefly, Maruti 1000, Holden Barina and Subaru Justy. Versions of the second generation Cultus were also produced until 2007 in India and the car remains in production today in Pakistan and China. For more information on the initial versions of the Swift, see: Suzuki Cultus and Geo Metro.
First generation (2000–2004)
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Suzuki Ignis |
| Production | 2000–2006 (HT51S, HT81S) 2003–2008 (HR51S, HR81S) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Suzuki Kei |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.3 L M13A I4 (petrol) 1.5 L M15A I4 (petrol) 1.3 L I4 (diesel) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
HT51S, HT81S
The first generation Swift was introduced in 2000 as a replacement for the Suzuki Cultus. Outside Japan, the "Suzuki Ignis" name was used. Both three- and five-door hatchback body styles were offered, although the three-door was not offered as part of the regular lineup in Japan.
The Swift was powered by a new generation of Suzuki inline-four gasoline engines, the M family. Engine displacements of 1.3 and 1.5-litres were offered, both with a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. The vehicle was available with either front or four-wheel drive. Vehicles fitted with the 1.3-litre engine were designated HT51S, with the 1.5-litre version assigned HT81S.
The shorter three-door body variant formed the basis of the Swift Sport in Japan, or Ignis Sport in export markets. Introduced in 2003, it featured redesigned bumpers, and was fitted with a higher-output version of the 1.5-litre engine. The Sport ceased production in 2005, with the regular Swift models remaining until 2006 for the Japanese market only.
HR51S, HR81S
In 2001, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Cruze—a crossover SUV based on the Swift, retaining the original car's basic dimensions and powerplants. The Cruze was restyled, adopting a crossover look between a tall hatchback and a sport utility vehicle, and the three-door body was dropped. The "Chevrolet Cruze" commercial designation was used in Japan, while in Australia the car was sold as the "Holden Cruze" from 2002 to 2006. The 1.3-litre cars were given the model code HR51S, with the 1.5-litre versions coded HR81S.
Suzuki in Europe introduced the Cruze modifications as an update of the Ignis in 2003, although extended by 145 millimetres (5.7 in) in length, thus improving interior and luggage dimensions. Due to an agreement with Subaru, this model was also sold throughout Europe in all-wheel drive form as the Subaru Justy from 2003. These Europe-only models were manufactured by Magyar Suzuki in Hungary. Due to the local presence of the Chevrolet-badged model, Suzuki in Japan did not utilise the modifications for a Suzuki-badged model of its own.
