I have already written a review on this in the Maruti Esteem AX section since at first MS did not allot a seperate section for it. Now that they have, I have just copied it and pasted it here.
This is not a review. This is essentially a preview on a car that may soon be manufactured in India. This review is a result of information picked from various websites, magazines and friends. Hope you will find this review and this car interesting.
The Swift was recently unveiled at the Paris motor show. It was eagerly awaited in Europe and other markets likewise. This is a very different type of hatch considering it is a Suzuki. Don’t associate this with the Swift that we know so very well (Esteem). This car is an effort from scratch and is a good effort. The first impressions suggest that it is very good. This car is going to come to India and may even be manufactured here. How is this from India’s point of view?
When was the last time Maruti launched a new car? Um... Looks like it is more than 3 years ago definitely. Maruti’s models are getting outdated slowly and it really needs a fresh car to retain its quarter in the sales pie. The Swift is the perfect car to do this. It is a super hatch and it is this segment that is growing like no one’s business in India. We are getting new models every now and then in this segment. So Maruti will definitely enter this segment, and with a good car. The super hatches are expected to be as spacious as sedans, good looking, versatile and should have the image of a sedan. The Swift is ready to take the market by fire.
The Swift has typically European looks. It is very radical with its superb headlamp and tail lamp. The Swift looks very stylish to say the least, and is maybe even better than the Getz. The fact that the Swift was made to compete mainly in the European market suggests that its build will be excellent and it tells why Suzuki took such an effort in the designing. It is about as large as many super hatches, and is in league with those in India. So space won’t be a problem at all. I have seen photos of its interior and it looks typically European. The dash that looks like it is inspired by Skoda and other European companies, is neatly laid out. The build quality inside is good but isn’t as good as its European counterparts.
The Swift most probably will house a 1.3 liter petrol of the Esteem for the base model and may offer a 1.5 liter 94 bhp from the Baleno. In around 2006, the Swift will have a direct injection 1.3 JTD engine developed by Fiat, which Maruti will build in India with license from Fiat. Direct injection diesel engines are considered to be the best after the common rail diesel injection. It will have a power output of 70 bhp. The two petrol engines as we already know, are very peppy and fun loving. The diesel power plant may not be as good as the CRDi which may soon power the Getz, but is never the less good.
The Swift will be a likely success story. It will definitely, MOST DEFENITELY be a success in India. It has every element a car needs to be successful. The main reasons are-
1) By the time it enters the Indian market; the super hatch segment would have matured with more people willing to buy the hatches.
2) It has very good looks with European styling, which is better than many cars in India and in other countries.
3) It has three excellent engines to choose from.
4) It will be from Maruti Udyog, the owner of 50% market share.
5) It has the image, which people will expect from a typical super hatch.
6) It will be priced at just the correct price.
Along with these a plenty of other reasons like service backup, build quality, space and practicality will ensure its success.
So if you are impressed by the Fusion or Getz and are planning to buy one of them, then do wait and hold on to your cash for a few months. The Swift is a raging bull ready to charge into the Indian market. It will lift other cars with its horns and throw them out of the market while taking the whole meat pie to itself (Hey! Isn’t it a rather nice expression??? :)), Well, maybe I am exaggerating too much. However, the Swift is a very good hatchback and nothing would make more sense than waiting for it to come and test driving it before coming to any conclusions.
How did you like this car and this review? Please do leave a comment and a rating because it helps to get feedback. Thank you!