B-segment-sized vehicles that have been stripped down to the bare necessities and sold for far less than its specced-up stablemates have been very popular in South Africa (as proven by VW’s Vivo and Ford’s Figo), and Suzuki’s decided to get in on the action with the Swift 1,2 and 1,2 Dzire.
While the Swift name hasn’t been altered with the cheaper alternatives, the only addition has been the adoption of the Dzire moniker – which denotes the new four-door sedan body style.
On the recent local launch of the 1,2-litre models in Cape Town, the Dzire looked at odds alongside its hatchback sibling. The rising shoulder line and stubby boot makes the sedan appear to be shorter than it is, whilst the narrow glass and large door panels along with the raised ride height (so equipped to compensate for the poor road conditions in SA, apparently) add to the slightly comical appearance.
Outside its natural habitat and on the open road, the new Swift is particularly susceptible to being pushed around in crosswinds – especially with its raised suspension and high-profile 165/80 R14 tyres to keep it on the road. The 14-inch steel wheels are standard throughout the 1,2 Swift range, but 15-inch alloys can be ticked as an option on the GL specification with 185/65 R15 tyres.
On the N2 heading out of Cape Town, the summer South-Easter wind made threatening attempts to unsettle the newcomer, but mostly shielded from the wind on the R44 coastal road from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els, the Dzire held its own thanks to it’s underpinnings; the McPherson front and torsion beam rear set-up utilised by the more expensive Swifts.
Away from freeway speeds though, the Swift is in its element. The electric power steering makes light work of low-speed manouevres and the Dzire’s clutch (revised to be smoother and quieter) and gearbox (tweaked to reduce driver effort) ensures that even less experienced drivers can get the car moving in a jerk and stall-free manner.
But of more interest is the cabin. Suzuki’s opted to make the Swift Dzire’s cabin available in a two-tone finish that blends the black upper surfaces and panels with tan lower sections and upholstery. There’s also faux wood trim that runs along the facia and doors. The combination is reflective of the Asian markets in which Suzuki is a strong seller, but I’m not a fan because of its impractical nature as well as the negative impact that the pile ’em high, sell ’em cheap approach to manufacture has upon the perceived quality of the Swift’s cabin.
On the features front, there’s a radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility and USB port, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, while ABS with Brake Assist and dual front airbags take care of the Dzire’s safety.
But what the Dzire addresses most is the department in which is the Swift has lacked in until now – bootspace. Suzuki claims the added rump means the Swift Dzire’s luggage capacity is now 300 litres – which should be enough for sizeable pieces of luggage or more than a week’s shopping.
*Specifications
Model: Suzuki Swift 1,2 Dzire GL
Engine: 1,2-litre, four-cylinder, petrol
Power: 63 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 113 N.m at 4 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 12,6 seconds
Top speed: 160 km/h
Fuel consumption: 6,3 L/100 km
CO2: 149 g/km
Price: R138 900
Service plan: 2 years/30 000 km
Service intervals: 15 000 km
*According to Suzuki
