It's a common test-driving practice to attack a corner a bit aggressively and "see what she can do." A swan dive was the answer a driver in India received from a four-door Suzuki/Maruti Swift DZire during a test session. The car skidded out of control, hit a large rock, and then tumbled into the Shambhavi River. The attempt to emulate the Amphicar wound up more like an impression of Alvin, unfortunately. All four occupants were injured and ended up in the hospital, while the car itself appears to be a total loss upon its winching to shore. Reckless driving has been cited as the cause, although with a name like Swift, it's possible the driver was just trying to follow instructions. We wonder if driver training in India is as dismal as here in the United States, and judging from the looks of the car, we're inclined to think that the injuries were due to a lack of seatbelt use. Thanks for the tip, Rahul!
[Source: Daijiworld]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MachinaDC5 @ Apr 11th 2008 6:40PM
Now that's my kind of test drive.
SPG @ Apr 11th 2008 6:42PM
That's terrible about the passengers being injured.
I really wish the best for all of them.
I wonder if the accident had anything to do with how tall this car is? I am not really thinking it was but it's somthing to think about.
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 11th 2008 6:49PM
It was not the car--it was the stupid driver.
Derek @ Apr 12th 2008 9:36AM
@ Xcountry: it is possible that a shorter car would not have slid off the road in the first place, or not flipped after hitting the rock but instead continued skidding across the dirt and possibly not ended up in the water. Taller vehicles have lower rollover limits than shorter vehicles of the same width, so are inherently less stable in emergency maneuvers.
ciscoguerrero @ Apr 11th 2008 6:50PM
Awesome! Can't wait for Tata Motors to start testing Jags and Land Rovers in that testing track. I wonder if the new Jag will float. Someone please call Top Gear's stig!
Vexorg @ Apr 11th 2008 6:55PM
Is it just me, or does the guy in picture 2 look like he's signaling a 10-yard penalty?
8189720 @ Apr 12th 2008 3:15AM
LOL... and he's almost dressed the part too.
CarbonBlack @ Apr 11th 2008 7:03PM
There is Suzuki for you.
They make EXCELLENT bikes, but seem lack the knack with mass produced cars.
(NOTE: I said mass produced, cars like the escudo are amazing)
Egon @ Apr 11th 2008 7:06PM
Now that's what I call an unDZireable outcome.
VP @ Apr 11th 2008 7:08PM
Dan,
There ain't no such thing as driver training in India. If something has changed since i moved from there it, the teachings now probably include: how to honk your horn excessively & how to fit your cars into tights spots that make a bicycle blush.
dea @ Apr 11th 2008 7:11PM
i hope all the passengers are able to make a full recovery.
Sherief @ Apr 11th 2008 7:56PM
what was that about the Wings of DZire?
Garth @ Apr 11th 2008 8:12PM
Wong way for Wong School of Dwiving...
Kotse @ Apr 11th 2008 8:15PM
Boy, when when Maruti Suzuki "crash tests" the Swift Dzire..they do mean business by using "real" crash test occupants...(or should I say dummies)! ;-)
But seriously, hope the injuries aren't all that bad...
John @ Apr 11th 2008 10:25PM
Reminds me of the Yugo that blew off the Mackinaw bridge.
Zane @ Apr 12th 2008 12:34AM
Wow.. makes me wonder what would happen if RWD cars made their way to Indian shores.
Derek @ Apr 12th 2008 9:36AM
The car would have gone into the river tail-first.
Shek @ Apr 12th 2008 12:39AM
There is no driver training in India. Driving exams are a joke (if there are any to begin with)!
I guess all small cars usually have under 70 bhp in india, so when they come out with a 85+ bhp car, people tend to go a little carried away.
The Swift hatch-back, when it was released did command the glory that is equivalent to a GTI here. The test pilots probably tried out some stunts on the heavier sedan.
terryt @ Apr 12th 2008 6:46AM
Or maybe it wasn't lack of driver skill or the car but the rock...
tankd0g @ Apr 12th 2008 10:41AM
You could have told me those pictures were from a PWRC event and I would have believed you. That car did some serious smashing before it even made it to the water.