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2005 Suzuki Swift European Preview

No Sign if Global Swift Will Replace Current Daewoo-Sourced Swift+ in 2005

Suzukis global marketing plan is somewhat confusing with regards to the subcompact Swift. In Japan, the Swift is a Kei vehicle based off the Wagon R. The super-compact is designed to be very affordable, falling within the jurisdictions lowest tax bracket. To Europeans, the Swift is a Hungarian-built three and five-door hatchback which North Americans will remember as the first-generation Suzuki Swift/Geo Metro/Chevrolet Sprint/Pontiac Firefly. While it also became the second-generation Subaru Justy, the model was not offered here.

Currently in Canada, however, the Swift has yet another identity. Not even a Suzuki-designed product, the Swift+ arrives as

Depending where you live in the world, the Suzuki Swifts appearance is incredibly varied. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

part of the General Motors-Suzuki-Daewoo joint venture dubbed GMDAT. Suzuki adopted the Daewoo-designed Kalos for its Canadian offering, making the Swift+ nothing more than a rebadged Chevrolet Aveo hatchback. Canada also offers a Pontiac version of the Aveo for 2005, dubbed the Wave. But for the oddly-styled Aerio sedan and wagon, and SUVs, soon to be dropped in favor of a Chevy Equinox derivative, Suzukis car range consists of the Verona, which was also developed

Suzuki intends to unify at least two of its three markets with a brand new Swift. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

by Daewoo, as well as the compact Forenza, Reno and Forenza Wagon.

Amidst all the confusion, Suzuki intends to unify at least two of its three markets with a brand new Swift, based around the show-stopping Concept S and Concept S2 of recent years past.

The new Swift measures in at 12.1 feet long, 5.5 feet wide and 4.9 feet tall, while riding on a 7.8 foot wheelbase. The first measurement makes it 7.5 inches shorter than Canadas 12.7 foot long Swift+, which will be good news to some and cause concern for others.

The new Swift will be based on the show-stopping Concept S and Concept S2 of recent years past. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

Those that initially fell for the Concept S and S2 body styles will be pleased to see that very little has changed from prototype to production, except for a reduction in visual extras. On that note spoilers, body kits and ground effects have been kept to a minimum. Likewise, the show cars 18-inch wheels have been axed, replaced by smaller, much less expensive 14-inch rims and tires. While the Sprints stance is not quite as aggressive, loosing the go-fast goodies doesnt detract from the cars cheerful appearance.

Unlike the relatively nondescript Swifts of the past, the 2005 model looks sharp, well-built and robust. The

Unlike its predecessors, the 2005 Swift looks sharp, well-built and robust. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

cockpit is simple, highlighted by a sporty three-spoke steering wheel framing attractive silver-ringed instrumentation. The audio systems head unit is uniquely mounted flush with the angled dashboard to create an integrated hi-fi appearance, something not normally associated with the economy car class and Suzuki in particular. An information display system, located at the windshields base, reduces dashboard clutter and supposedly simplifies operation. Such a technology is usually reserved for premium models.

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