Press Play: The Epic New Swift

On a wet, windy morning earlier this year, we found ourselves behind the wheel of the all-new Maruti Suzuki Swift. The Swift’s superbly tossable nature had helped us cut-through early morning traffic, and we were now climbing the hills around Mumbai, flicking the car into corners, impressed by its superb body control. During that hour-long drive up and down the hills, we tried to understand why cars such as the Swift become cult classics — the automotive equivalent of a Dil Chahta Hai or a DDLJ. Why some cars have this innate ability to make you want to get inside, mash that accelerator pedal and just go. And, as importantly, why, when it comes to legends like the Swift, customers turn into fans.

Since its launch in 2006, over three million customers have joined in the fun that the Swift has unerringly delivered. To these Swifters, the Swift represented something more than a mode of transportation. It symbolised fun, freedom, and exhilaration. Each successive generation of one of India’s most loved cars carried forward that legacy, consistently raising the bar when it came to technology, style, and all-round reliability and safety. The latest iteration, the Epic New Swift, is taking that enthralling story forward.

The all new Swift has many arrows in its quiver. It looks futuristic but in a familiar sort of way; it’s got the goods under the hood; and it comes packed with safety. But, if you ask us, while it has been thoroughly updated, Maruti Suzuki has left the core of the car remain untouched. And that reflects in the way it drives and behaves. The Swift’s all new Z Series engine has some appealing numbers : 1197cc, 81.58PS at 5700rpm and 111.7Nm of torque at 4300rpm (lots of lovely low-end torque).

Its slick-shifting five-speed manual is surely one of the best gearboxes around and deserves every bit of the praise it has garnered from road testers who, by the way, have also had very good things to say about the smooth hydraulic clutch. Of course, Maruti Suzuki has also dialled in the option of an Auto Gear Shift transmission for folks who lean towards convenience. So, if you want to know if that famous ‘go-karting feel’ is still around, the answer to that is a big yes!

The Epic New Swift gets a sharp front end, fantastic steering feel, and top notch ride comfort that complement the perky engine. A flickable, fun car is every enthusiast’s dream, but the all-new Swift also makes a case for itself as a complete all-rounder capable of keeping everyone from your partner to your finicky friends happy. The Swift represented a refreshing break from the past when it was first launched. It was equipped with segment-first features such as climate control, airbags, and ABS; now, the fourth-generation model takes it a step or two further.

Its all-new dashboard gets an 8-degree tilt and is attuned to the demands of the spirited driver, it also gets a truckload of equipment that makes the roomy cabin a great place to be in. There’s a super slick 9-inch Smartplay Pro+ infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a booming AKRAMYS surround sound system, and folks at the rear get fast-charging A & C Type USB ports, and AC vents. What about safety, you ask? Well, with everything from 6 airbags to ABS and Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP), the Swift has that covered, and these features are standard across variants.

So, yes, the Swift does lead a double life. It can take you to work in great comfort and impress your in-laws, but, when the mood strikes, it can also turn into a spirited machine as eager as you are to get out of the city in search of winding black tops. Most fellow road-users craned their necks to get a better look at the new Swift in the flesh while we drove up the hills. We reckon, with that signature ‘wrap around character line’ and those futuristic smoky headlamps, they discovered something that was refreshingly different and yet pleasantly familiar.

Maybe, some were reminded of their younger selves and the first generation Swift, and, we suppose, yet others, especially the younger ones, realised that the all-new Swift was going to be their next car. In short, the latest generation Swift we were in resonated with a lot of people. It made them smile, it made them happy. And that’s what cult cars like the Swift do. In their own inimitable way, they bring people together.

Also see:
New Suzuki Swift scores 3 stars in Euro NCAP's tests

Maruti Swift crosses 30 lakh sales milestone