ON THE ROAD- IAN LYNAS WENT DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH THE NEW SUZUKI SWIFT HYBRID

Small cars have always had an appeal for me; perhaps it was because the first car I ever owned was a very basic Mini 850. Of course I yearned for a Cooper or a Cooper S, but funds fell well short. The little yellow Mini boasted my interest in motorsport and soon I was chasing rallies as a spectator, then followed the move to official and in particular working on night navigation rallies. I would rush home on a Friday afternoon, gather together my Dunlop rally jacket made famous by Paddy Hopkirk, I bought mine from Paddy’s brother Eric in Belfast, a flask of hot tea, a selection of sticky buns and not to forget a woolly hat. In those days navigation rallies were all-nighters, which would see me back to base for breakfast, often an Ulster Fry.

My love of the Mini stayed with me and then a new small car appeared on the scene, the Suzuki Swift, I became an immediate fan, I saw it as an excellent challenger to the Mini and it was more affordable. I have driven and enjoyed all versions of the Swift and I can recall when a brave Alun Parry who is the PR supremo for Suzuki covering the UK and the Republic let us loose at Mondello Park and over the Kildare circuit I was to discover just how well the Swift handled. Some months ago I attended the press launch of the new Swift Hybrid and when one arrived on my home patch for a week to test I decided to try something a little bit different. Some of the best action in those days of the all night navigation rallies were over roads on the South Armagh close to the border, so I decided to go down memory lane so to speak with the new Swift. Daylight driving this time round which permitted me to see far too many potholes. With narrow roads with few passing places and hidden crests, I really discovered just how good this small car from Suzuki really is. With a three cylinder engine which is new featuring multi-point fuel injection it delivers an entertaining and highly spirited drive.

This unit delivers better fuel economy, improved torque and lower emissions than the earlier version and despite the modest power output of 82PS I enjoyed every moment behind the wheel and another bonus acceleration is improved; rest to 100kph (62mph) in 12.5 seconds for the manual which I tried, go for the automatic and you can achieve the dash to 100kph (62mph) in 11.9 seconds. A 12V mild hybrid system is not only compact but lightweight which incorporates an integrated starter generator (ISG) which acts as both a generator and starter motor.

Months have passed since I drove a car with a manual transmission and with the new Swift, the gear ratios have been optimised for the Z12E engine and drivetrain thus providing smooth power delivery. This combination of engine and transmission proved ideal for the roads I encountered, many akin to a rally special stage. Handling has been enhanced with changes to the suspension system and electric power steering gives an excellent steering feel, neither light nor heavy. Braking power is good again improvements to the brake booster or brake servo to provide a more progressive feel. Suzuki deliver well equipped cars and the new Swift abounds with on-board goodies, very much in line with larger and much more expensive cars; you really get a lot for your money with the new Swift. Now in its fourth generation the new Swift still retains that distinctive styling, for me a plus point as it stands out from its many competitors. I am left with one thought, what a terrific one make series it would make for rallying or racing.

Ian Lynas