New Suzuki Swift on sale in NZ

The new Suzuki Swift now on sale in New Zealand following its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. The new model is lighter and shorter than the outgoing Swift, and features a redesigned exterior. Two engine options power the Swift line-up – the GL and GLX models contain a 1.2-litre Dualjet engine producing 66kW of power and 160Nm of torque, and the RS features 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine producing 82kW of power and 160Nm. While the hatch is 10mm shorter overall, it sits on a longer wheelbase and is 40mm wider than the previous model. It’s also 135kg lighter, with kerbweights beginning at 880kg. Safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, active cruise control and automated high beams. The Swift is one of the top-selling cars in New Zealand, with 999 models so far this year, according to latest registration figures. Suzuki New Zealand’s general manager of marketing, Gary Collins, told journalists the car maker expects to sell 2800 Suzuki swifts this year for a five per cent share of the total market. Prices start from $19,990 for the manual GL, $21,990 for the CVT GL, $24,500 for the GLX, and $25,990 for the RS.