It seems that Suzuki will launch the already old new Suzuki Swift early next year. What this means is that we Malaysians will be getting the new Swift just in time for its mid-life facelift. The reason is that the 3rd generation Suzuki Swift was officially launched late 2010 with production going on full swing sometime January/February 2011. It is mid-2012 right now and the new Swift has been in production for a good one and a half years at the very least. By 2013, it'll be two and a half years and just ripe for a facelift - the last Swift had a 6 year production lifespan, so by mid-2013, the new one should be nearing its mid-life and due for a facelift or something like a facelift.
So before I continue babbling and whining about how ridiculously late the Swift has been in reaching our shores, I would like to inform you readers out there that Suzuki Malaysia should be bringing out the new Swift by early 2013 (January/February? I have no actual idea). It will come in 1.4liter form as there is no longer a 1.5liter option made by Suzuki. There is a 1.2liter and a 1.4liter as well as the Swift Sport's 1.6liter engine. The new 1.4liter engine is allegedly slightly down on power and torque compared to the earlier 1.5liter engine but it is supposedly 12% more efficient overall coupled with a slightly lighter chassis. So it still shouldn't be a bad drive as handling and ride as as good as the previous generation or better.
Anyway, the Malaysian specced Suzuki Swfit 1.4 will come with the same 4 speed automatic transmission with the new CVT option only for the Swift Sport. It may be launched right from the start in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form with kits most probably coming from Suzuki's Rayong plant in Thailand since Suzuki has recently started assembly of the Swift over there. Then again, Suzuki could take advantage of AFTA and just bring in the Swift from Thailand. Who knows.
Next, the new Suzuki Swift Sport with its 1.6liter engine and options for a 6 speed manual and CVT automatic should arrive in CBU form mid-2013. Better late than never?
So why has it been so late? I suppose Suzuki wanted to finish off its stocks for the current Malaysian assembled Suzuki Swift and wanted to jump straight into local assembly instead of importing the Swift in prior to that. Sometimes, local assembly makes us get cars a little late. I suppose this is the price to pay for a Swift that would cost approximately RM70K instead of RM80K.
Anyway, where did I come up with such information and is the information to be trusted? I have no idea how true all of the above is but it does come from a seemingly reliable source. Usually such sources are quite reliable when you actually plonk a wad of cash in front of them. In this case, a new Suzuki Alto. A nice bronze/brown one. Stay tuned folks.
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Update - Photos and Initial Opinion - HERE
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