The Centralian Advocate Fri 8 Jan 2021
Centralian Advocate; NewspaperNT
2021-01-08
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Alice Springs; Tennant Creek (N.T.) -- Newspapers; Alice Springs (N.T.) -- Newspapers; Australia, Central -- Newspapers
News Corp Australia
Darwin
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/821560
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/821561
MOTORING 19 V1 - NTNE01Z01MO O N E C A R T W O C R I T I C S SWIFT TAILOR-MADE FOR FUN The recently arrived Suzuki Swift SportSeries II boasts improved safety andmore equipment. Lightweight, funand relatively affordable at $29,990drive-away (manual) and $31,990 (auto), this sharp-looker is an ideal starting point for those people looking for a proper drivers car. FIRST IMPRESSIONS IAIN: Back when we were young and beautiful a Suzuki Swift was the first new car we bought. JULES: We couldnt afford the spritely Sport sadly, so Ive got a soft spot for the model. IAIN: I reckon this Swift Sport looks a bit more grown-up than the one from last decade. No giant roof spoiler or mad multi-spoke alloys. It doesnt differentiate itself from a standard Swift as much as Id like. JULES: This new ones extrovert enough. The rims are classily sporty, theres a hint of a rooftop spoiler and I like the twin exhaust exits through the black bumper. IAIN: Jazzy colour too. Flame orange with a black roof, though this adds $1095 to our auto versions $31,990 drive-away price. JULES: It stands out, but for a hero colour it should be more vibrant. Its quite a muddy orange. IAIN: The Swifts always been a cute-looking thing. The Sports LED headlights, 17-inch alloys and black exterior trim add the required aggression to appeal to boy and girl racers of all ages. THE LIVING SPACE JULES: I forgot how cosy it is in a Swift. IAIN: Its small inside, but pretty well laid out. It and adaptive cruise control. IAIN: The safety suite includes a forward collision warning which I found too sensitive. I could be going around a corner and a parked car would set off alerts. JULES: Much like me, the car probably thinks youre about to crash most of the time. IAIN: Its a warm hatch, it should expect some spirited driving! THE SHOPPING JULES: Its a tiny yet deep boot, but as most owners wont use the rear seats, just fold them for more cargo space. IAIN: It attracts plenty of attention in the Coles carpark and I reckon it has the style to hold its hold its own on a fancy inner-city boutique shopping strip. JULES: Its hard to bingle too with parking sensors and rear camera, although the resolution is pretty crummy by todays standards. SUNDAY RUN IAIN: I have to say it. If you spend an extra $2000 on an auto gearbox youre massively missing out. If ever a car was crying out for a nice, short-throw six-speed manual, the Swift Sport is it. JULES: Stop it grandad. Most youngsters these days cant drive a manual. Its excellent an autos offered when rivals such as the Ford Fiesta ST are three-pedals only. IAIN: As it should be. I only grumble because manuals add so much driver involvement and reward. The Swift Sports handling and steering are delightful and you change direction with such speed due to its 995kg kerb weight. Brilliant grip too. JULES: It is a funster. And if you use the steering wheel paddles you get similar control over the gearbox as you would in a manual. IAIN: Tiny paddles arent they? It helps to have long fingers to reach them. As its a fourcylinder turbo other Swifts use a threecylinder you dont need to red-line the whole has sporty touches including red stitching for the seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, red dash dials and a boost gauge. JULES: Sorry, it feels a bit aftermarket-add-on in here. The faux metallic red trim looks cheap, and theres lots of hard plastic. IAIN: I dont care. When it comes to warm or hot hatches, I want manufacturers to focus on improving performance, handling, steering and braking, not add luxury features making it too expensive. More power please, less leather. JULES: I remember our 2006 Swift having a cleaner cabin design. IAIN: Thats because there was nothing in it except a steering wheel and AM radio. THE COMMUTE JULES: The front seats are well sculpted and supportive, but quite narrow. IAIN: You wouldnt want to be big of bum in these seats. Its for the more svelte warm hatch pilot. JULES: I loved it in town. The Swift is made for city life and once the engine is firing its got so much zip. IAIN: Agreed. Really manoeuvrable too. Its not the best for regular highway kilometres as wind noise isnt kept out as well as some rivals, but Ill forgive the Swift Sport as it weighs just under a tonne. And lightweight equals fun. JULES: It has some decent kit: Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, built-in satnav, a digital speedo time. Theres plenty of low-down torque to pull this pocket rocket along. THE FAMILY JULES: Our kids are young enough to be comfy in the back seats, but adults were cramped in the back. No vents or USB either. IAIN: The family budget wont be stretched too much. Service costs arent high and it used just 7L/100km on our trip despite the twisty road fun we had. It needs pricier 95 fuel, though. JULES: It does well for safety kit too. A blindspot monitor, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert are appreciated by this mum. THE VERDICT IAIN: The Swift Sport is well equipped and bags of fun. The manual is the value pick. JULES: I love its looks and zippiness, but for the money Id want a classier interior I guess you cant have everything. $31,990 drive-away (cheapish thrills) AT A GLANCE 5 years/unltd km warranty (average) $1475 for 5 years (good) 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 103kW/ 230Nm (fun) 6.1L/100km (needs 95) Repair kit (not good) 265L (small) SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT AUTO 5 stars,6 airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep, adaptive cruise (good) Perky little hatch delivers more smiles per mile IAIN CURRY & JULES LUCHT ~ a Iii