Filed under: Etc., Safety, Suzuki, First Drive, India
Suzuki Swift DZire takes a dip during test drive
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!
Gallery: Suzuki Swift crash
[Source: Daijiworld]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MachinaDC5 6:40PM (4/11/2008)
Now that's my kind of test drive.
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SPG 6:42PM (4/11/2008)
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.
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Xcountryflyer 6:49PM (4/11/2008)
It was not the car--it was the stupid driver.
Derek 9:36AM (4/12/2008)
@ 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 6:50PM (4/11/2008)
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!
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Vexorg 6:55PM (4/11/2008)
Is it just me, or does the guy in picture 2 look like he's signaling a 10-yard penalty?
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8189720 3:15AM (4/12/2008)
LOL... and he's almost dressed the part too.
CarbonBlack 7:03PM (4/11/2008)
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)
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Egon 7:06PM (4/11/2008)
Now that's what I call an unDZireable outcome.
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VP 7:08PM (4/11/2008)
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.
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dea 7:11PM (4/11/2008)
i hope all the passengers are able to make a full recovery.
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Sherief 7:56PM (4/11/2008)
what was that about the Wings of DZire?
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Garth 8:12PM (4/11/2008)
Wong way for Wong School of Dwiving...
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Kotse 8:15PM (4/11/2008)
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...
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John 10:25PM (4/11/2008)
Reminds me of the Yugo that blew off the Mackinaw bridge.
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Zane 12:34AM (4/12/2008)
Wow.. makes me wonder what would happen if RWD cars made their way to Indian shores.
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Derek 9:36AM (4/12/2008)
The car would have gone into the river tail-first.
Shek 12:39AM (4/12/2008)
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.
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terryt 6:46AM (4/12/2008)
Or maybe it wasn't lack of driver skill or the car but the rock...
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tankd0g 10:41AM (4/12/2008)
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.
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