2011 Suzuki Swift Full Model Change. Splash is coming too?

Update : Official pictures have been posted here.



We have already seen spy shots of pre-production Swifts hammering the Nurburgring Northern Loop circuit started appearing on the internet in late 2009. The latest news that we learned is the the all new 2011 Swift Full Model Change will be unveiled to the European press by July 2010, while a formal public premiere will be held in September 2010 at the upcoming Paris International Motor Show.

The shots below should be for the Swift Sport - if the fact that these cars are being hammered around The Ring needs any further explanation. Note the sportier wheels, low profile tires and brushed aluminium ala "Audi RS line" wing mirrors and a deeper front air dam.




Sales of the new Swift will only begin by first quarter of 2011. The 2011 Swift will maintain the familiar silhouette but will now spot a Kizashi style grille, which will be the new corporate face of Suzuki passenger cars. Oversized headlamps and taillamps (with the same swept back style) will also be the key design elements.

No further information on powertrain but the same engine 1.5-litre capacity for the regular Swift and a 1.6-litre for the Swift Sport is expected to remain. Japanese market models will continue to receive AWD option and a smaller 1.3-litre engine. Export to the USA is said to be in the plans as Suzuki plans to revive its US operations, first with the Kizashi mid-size sedan. The new Swift will join the small car hype in the US together with the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and domestic GM's own redesigned Aveo.


A hybrid option is rumoured but is not likely to make it into production within the same model generation. The business case for small hybrid cars is yet to be proven. However, this did not stop Suzuki from wowing the public with the Swift Plug-in Concept, jointly developed with battery partner Sanyo. As you might already know, Sanyo is also the battery partner for Volkswagen, and if you remember, VW recently acquired 20% stake in Suzuki.



Some further interesting news, it looks like the ASEAN market will get the Splash by 2012. In 1.3-litre guise, the Suzuki Splash will sit right below the Swift and above the 1.0-litre Indian developed Suzuki Alto. It will be made in Suzuki's new plant in Rayong, Thailand, built at a cost of 20 billion Japanese Yen.

Another sibling of the Swift, the SX4 will also received a full model change redesign by 2012.

Related link :
Official photos of 2011 Swift
Suzuki Turns 100