The Maruti Swift, with its brand new engine, just raised the bar in the hatchback segment, says Shapur Kotwal
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Maruti, aware of better competition and tightening emission norms, has taken the opportunity to sharpen the Swift. The new car may look identical to the one sitting in your garage, but under the hood this one has a brand new engine, new gearing and a new suspension set-up.
When Maruti launched the Swift in India in 2005, it had given it the free-revving G13B engine. But the G-series motor has been around for more than two decades so its internals were designed with lower emission norms in mind. Maruti could have added additional after-treatment, but this would only have led to additional costs and lowered performance.
The all-new DOHC K12M motor is instead a stronger bet. It’s cleaner, more powerful and more efficient. It also happens to be a 101cc smaller than the G13B, which means it limbos under the 1200cc bar, qualifying for a 12 per cent excise cut in comparison to the 1300cc Swift.
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The familiar K12M, Bharat Stage IV petrol motor that powers the Ritz has already won legions of fans with its top-end performance. Under the hood of the new Swift, however, this motor has been re-tuned to make it more driveable and less peaky.
So while some of the effervescent character of the Ritz is lost, this engine feels light years ahead of the old G13B motor. The change from behind the wheel is noticeable immediately. To start with, this motor is smoother and much more refined. There is, however, a subdued mechanical whine when it is spun to higher speeds, but this is not obtrusive or troublesome.
While the K-series motor makes about two bhp less, it makes more power and importantly, more torque. The bottom end of this motor also feels considerably more punchy than that of the Ritz. The result is fewer downshifts and stress-free performance, all the way from 2000rpm. So, while the earlier Swift is faster in a straight drag by 0.8 seconds, the new car is marginally quicker when in-gear acceleration is measured in second and third.
Flat-out acceleration is impressive too. It winds through its rev band with plenty of enthusiasm and acceleration is linear with no sudden step-up. Zero to 100kph comes up in 13.09 seconds and it continues to pull hard till 140kph. But the Swift feels faster than the clock suggests.
Rowing through the gears on the now lighter and easier-to-engage gearbox is also a pleasure. Maruti has shortened the gear ratios of the new Swift to improve low-speed flexibility, and the gearing is makes for effortless in-town driving. This Swift is also marginally more efficient in the city (11.9kpl) and slightly more efficient on the highway (17kpl).
Maruti has softened the suspension too, to make the car ride better. However, the improved ride has impacted the Swift’s razor-sharp handling. Sure, it still remains impressively stable at speeds and steers accurately but it has lost some of the magic that made it a hero of a car on a winding road.
On the inside, the new Swift is indistinguishable from the earlier car. The upholstery is new but that’s it. It’s still has a comfortable driving position, the nice feel to the rear seats, the same door pockets, steering wheel and gear lever.
The Swift entered the Indian market like a hurricane. Its sporty, youthful shape appealed to almost everyone; it was comfortable, fun to drive, and Indian car buyers took to it in droves. The new motor, however, has turned it into an effortless performer and it feels lighter, peppier and more efficient. Some die-hard Swift owners may miss the raw appeal of the previous engine but the new Swift has wider appeal with its more rounded character. This Maruti has just raised its game to hang on to its crown of the hatchback king.
SPEC CHECK
MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT
Price: Rs 5.96 lakh (on-road, Mumbai)
Engine: Petrol/ front, transverse/ 4-cyls in-line, 1197cc
Power: 84bhp at 6000rpm
Torque: 11.5kgm at 4500rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Weight: 1035kg
Suspension (F/R): Independent, MacPherson struts/ non-independent, torsion bea
Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs/ drums
Fuel economy (city/ highway): 11.9kpl/ 17.0kpl
