Autoblog

In the United States, Suzuki is more known for its superlative motorcycles than mainstream automobiles. It is a notion that has even been played upon by the manufacturer's marketing department in recent commercials. In other parts of the world though, particularly in places where small cars garner more of a following, the small Japanese compacts are popular enough to get their own race series. The inaugural Suzuki Swift Sport Cup kicked off in New Zealand back last November and culminated last month. Next up on the calendar, the United Kingdom gets a taste of the 1.6L 123-hp hatch in its own Swift Cup. The kiwi version utilized tarmac tracks, but the UK cars are optimized for dirt. This weekend will see seven identical Monster Sport Europe-built vehicles battling it out on part of the Pirelli International Rally course, the first of six rounds for the cup.

The low operation costs of the series and the accompanying television deal makes for an attractive package for participants, not to mention the high point prize. The overall championship winner also gets a fully funded ride in the 2008 Wales Rally GB WRC race. The vehicle entry will be a Suzuki Swift Super 1600, of course.

[Source: AutoMotoPortal.com]

One of our favorite cars to pop up on the show circuit this year was the Suzuki Swift Sport. It managed to capture our hearts with its chunky Mini-like bulldog stance. No normal Swift, this 126-hp version looked to deliver on the promise of its name. Alas, it isn't headed to the States and therefore joins the C1 Focus as one of the cars we must pine for from afar. But maybe our love was only infatuation. Nihon Car has driven one and came away wanting.

More after the jump and click here for a full high resolution gallery of Suzuki Swift Sport shots.

[Source: Nihon Car]

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• Suzuki Launching Swift Sport
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• Suzuki's Project Splash, Swift Sport headed to Paris
• Paris Motor Show: Suzuki Swift Sport

Next month in Paris, Suzuki will be unveiling the Project Splash concept (they're calling it a "clinic model") , a modern-looking-tall-bodied hatchback based on the Swift subcompact. The Splash will show off a new 1.2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and seat five passengers.

Suzuki is keeping the rest of the info about Project Splash to itself for the time being, though they did release a design sketch (above). With the big shield grille, wide, thin headlamps, and downward-sloping roofline, we're seeing what appears to be some Audi Q7 influences. The car offers us a peek at the direction Suzuki's taking with an upcoming model, so we're very interested in seeing the finished product.

Of more immediate concern to our European readers is the other planned Suzuki debut in Paris: the Euro-spec Swift Sport. The Swift Sport launched in Japan a little over a year ago, where it's powered by a 98kW (133hp) 1.6L VVT 4-cylinder. If the powertrain is unchanged for Europe, sales should be brisk when it hits showrooms in the Fall.

Of course, now that we know the Swift is headed to the US as well, it's time for everyone to cross their fingers and hope that the Sport is part of that plan.

(Press Release, Swift Sport photos after the jump)

[Source: Suzuki]