Next week, Suzuki will be launching the sporty version of its Mini-challenger – Swift Sport. Well, in Japan, that is. For now at least, Suzuki has no plans of bringing the Swift to the U.S., but given the steep rise in gas prices recently, perhaps that will change. The Swift Sport gets a higher-compression-ratio version of the Swift's twin-cam 16-valve four-banger, producing 125 bhp. While not as powerful as the Mini Cooper S (168 bhp), it definitely has a better horsepower-to-weight ratio with the Swift Sport weighing roughly 1,000 lbs less than the Mini Cooper S. With a price tag under $15,000, the Swift Sport could definitely give the Mini a run for its money.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
qr @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
add in the 10 year warranty and it kicks any scion's ass
JaimieB @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
c'mon guys, let's not get carried away here - it's only a Suzuki.
n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
The Mini is more sizzle than steak. They're not really even in the same league. The Suzuki seems like it's aiming for the low end performance/tuner market, the Mini is really for DINKs.
Adam H. @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
To be honest, this is a NEW car I could afford, and would actually want to buy. A Mini Cooper S weighs in at 2700lbs. What does the Suzuki weigh? 1700 lbs?!? Bump it up to 2.2L or 2.4L and bring it Stateside for $17,000. I'd buy it in a hearbeat.
Bigel @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
1000lbs less than a Mini Cooper S?! That can't be right. That would undercut Honda's Insight, which makes extensive use of lightweight materials.
Rocket Punch @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
From article: "....weighing roughly 1,000 lbs less than the Mini Cooper S...."
According to Suzuki's site, the swift sport weights 1060kg = 2332lbs. The cooper s weights 2678lbs so the difference is only [ 346lbs ]. No where near "roughly" 1000lbs difference.
Which makes me wonder, where is the 1000lbs lighter than coope s came from?
Source:
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/swiftsport/spec/index.html
http://www.miniusa.com
CrunchyCookie @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
Anyone know if the Swift and Aerio share platforms? The Aerio's a neat little car. A Swift would come at a crowded time now that the Toyota Yaris, Honda whatever, Nissan whatever are already on the way to smack down the xA/Accent/Rio/Aveo.
Suzuki's a bit shady about that warranty, you know. They 7 years/100,000 miles makes for "America's #1 warranty" because it works out to an "average" of 14,285 miles a year. Think about that.
Best warranty will forever go to Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi. Worst warranty: the big three. Chrysler just dissed their back down to 3/36K for 2006 much like GM and Ford.
Joseph Willemssen @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
Beat me to the Punch, Rocket. :)
People also need to keep in mind that cars in the US market tend to be a little heavier than their Japanese versions. For example, the Cooper S is 1,180 kg (2,601 lbs) in the Japanese market, but 2,679 lbs in the US market.
Looks like the Swift Sport will get about 5-6 MPG better than the Mini, though, which isn't too bad.
http://www.mini.jp/com/en/mini_cooper_s/datasheet.html
Adam E @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
"....the Swift Sport could definitely give the Mini a run for its money."
Definately?? - maybe. What happens when the road become twisty?!
Jon @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
"Suzuki's a bit shady about that warranty, you know. They 7 years/100,000 miles makes for "America's #1 warranty" because it works out to an "average" of 14,285 miles a year. Think about that."
The average is totally irrelevant. Car warranties are either/or. There is no relationship between the two figures. If you drive a lot, the amount of miles is your focus, if you drive a little, the focus is the years. There is nothing shady about it at all. All auto manufacturer warranties work that way.
j panozzo @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
I don't know why Suzuki doesn't bring the Swift to the U.S. market. At its lower end, it could be a sensible vehicle for budget minded consumers concerned about high gas prices. At its higher end, it could be a MINI or a Scion xa/xb fighter. A Swift would be a better alternative than the Aveo.
Sid Ghosh @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
DAMN! We have the Swift here in Canada. I hope we get that!!!
JustJase @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
I wonder if the 2.3L 155hp from the Aerio would squeeze in under the hood?
They're crazy if they don't bring us this car! Quit serving us Daewoo crap badged as Suzukis and give us the actual good stuff that Suzuki builds.
MikeCapone @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
I'm pretty sure Suzuki is bringing the new Swift to the US - it's now a "global" car insted of rebadging whatever other car as a "swift" depending on the market.
See this for other cool small cars coming to North-America:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/09/small_japanese.php
Doogs @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
Let me get this straight - because the Swift and Mini are comparable in size they are, therefore, obviously competitors?
You know, I was going to buy that BMW 3-Series, but man...have you seen the Suzuki Forenza?
Give me a break. I'm all for the Swift coming here and all, but I don't think it'd see a lot of cross-shopping with the Mini.
Andrew @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
Warranty clarification...
Suzuki is able to call their's #1 because it's transferrable when the car is resold. That's supposed to help increase the resale value. Other brand's long-term warranties expire upon sale by original owner (same family excluded).
J Zeke @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
Evo Magazine did a brief review on a pre-prod version of this car, and said that is very close to the mark, as both a desirable small car and a desirable car in its own right. As of the issues printing it was undergoing the final round of tweaks and parts swapping to make it a handler.
Seems like a more dynamic Scion competitor to me.
Turbonegroegg @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
The Nissan Maxima called and said it wanted its headlights back =0P Looks like a bitchin piece of automobile right there.
Jason V @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
I rented an Aerio once, and it was more pleasant to drive than it had any reason to be. Are native Suzuki's reliable?
CrunchyCookie @ Dec 18th 2005 11:17PM
Jon: yes, that was my point.