Swift dominates its segment
The popular Suzuki Swift continues to dominate sales light sales in New Zealand where it remains popular with private buyers of new vehicles.
For the year to date ending September 30, the Swift captured a leading 39.8 per cent of the light-car segment with sales of 2,263 registrations – 75 per cent more than its nearest competitor, according to Motor Industry Association figures.
A long-time No.1 seller in the marque’s model line-up, the Swift has recently been applauded here and abroad for its fuel efficiency and all-round appeal.
In a recent independent test on New Zealand highways, a Swift GL CVT automatic proved more economical than its factory fuel figures averaging 4.5l/100km over an all-weather 636km drive between central Auckland and Lower Hutt.
Completed with two occupants, luggage and no special preparation, this was a seven per cent improvement on the factory combined cycle of 4.8l/100km. Suzuki attributes the results of the “real world” test to the design and advanced technology of smaller capacity engines and low body weight.
Gary Collins, general manager of marketing for Suzuki NZ, says there is growing interest in hybrid and electric models. “However, the latest generation Swift and Swift Sport continue to provide superb fuel efficiency and excellent value with reasonable purchase prices and low overall cost of ownership,” he adds.
Four versions of the Swift are offered in this country with a choice of three engines with recommended pricing ranging from $19,990 for the 1.2GL to $29,990 for the 1.4T Sport with six-stage automatic transmission.
In the UK, the one-litre Swift RS BoosterJet version has been named Real MPG Car of the Year by the Honest John website, which says the engine returned better than its fuel test figures, according to Swift owners.
David Ross, editor of Honest John, says: “Suzuki is a brand that consistently performs well in Real MPG so it’s no surprise to see the Swift winning. The one-litre BoosterJet is an excellent engine in its own right and yet is proving incredibly economical, exceeding the claimed figures.”
Accolades for the BoosterJet turbo Swift Sport include AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year 2018, AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year People’s Choice and best in class for a micro/light car segment.
The Swift 1.2-litre DualJet also averaged a remarkable 3.9l/100km in a recent WLTP Challenge held over a 354km route on roads around the English Midlands. The tests were aimed at convincing buyers that official figures are relevant once again and that they can provide a guide to making informed buying decisions.
The Swift’s consumption in normal road conditions was a 42.6 per cent improvement over the official WLTP combined figure of 5.5l/100km for the same model.
Run in conjunction with the RAC, the economy driving challenge was about attaining real world fuel efficiency of vehicles. WLTP stands for the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, which issues laboratory tests for fuel consumption while also accounting for CO2 emissions, pollutant emissions, energy consumption and values of alternative powertrains, including electric vehicles.
