Suzuki Australia wants more diverse models, including sportier Swift

The Advertiser

6 days ago

Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota says he wants to fill the Swift Sport-shaped hole in the brand's local lineup, as well as bolster the wider range with different body styles and powertrains.
The Swift Sport, based on the previous-generation hatch, has been out of production for Australia since revised safety regulations regarding autonomous emergency braking (AEB) came into effect earlier this year.
There has been no word from Suzuki globally on on a new Swift Sport based on the new-generation mild-hybrid hatch, and Suzuki's local division says it's in the dark as well.
"We haven't been told anything at all. We get surprised from time to time by Suzuki Japan," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Above: Suzuki Swift Sport generations (L-R): First, second, third, and 2025 Swift Champions concept
"They're very confidential when it comes to their development, and we only get certain visions based on, for example, evolutions of product sometimes, other bits and pieces. Swift Sport is possibly a hot topic globally, I just await any news on it."
The Swift Sport is a simple vehicle in principle. Take an otherwise affordable, economical hatch, make it look a little tougher, fit a more potent engine, and keep prices attainable while you're at it.
This was certainly the case for the outgoing third-generation Swift Sport. It featured a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 103kW of power and 230Nm of torque, the option of a six-speed manual or automatic, and started at $29,990 before on-roads.
This was only $200 pricier than the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder found in the Swift GLX Turbo, which had just 82kW and 160Nm. At the bottom of the range was a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 66kW and 120Nm, priced from $23,490 before on-roads.
Above: Current-generation Suzuki Swift Hybrid
The current Swift Hybrid, meanwhile, features a 12V mild-hybrid system and a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine producing 61kW and 112Nm.
It's not clear what could power a potential new Swift Sport, but Suzuki still offers small-displacement four-cylinder turbo engines available in other Suzukis such as the S-Cross, which can still be had with the warm hatch's 103kW/130Nm Boosterjet turbo-four.
"Just like you, we're sitting here waiting and hoping that there might be something there. But if there isn't, to be fair, the current product line is selling quite well, so I'm happy with it," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
Suzuki's Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, did reveal the hotter-looking Swift Champions model earlier this year, but that wasn't much more than a concept.
The Swift is Suzuki's second-best-selling model in Australia with 1935 delivered in the first half of 2025, while the Jimny is well ahead with 4365.
Above: Suzuki Swift Champions concept
Mr Pachota said he's keen for more than just a new Swift Sport though, telling CarExpert he'd be open to anything and everything from commercial vehicles and utes to different types of electric vehicle (EV).
"I have an appetite for anything else outside of my product portfolio. So anything that I can get to add to the Australian product lineup, both hands are up," he said.
"Different segments, different opportunities, you know. And we're the small car specialists, so we kind of play in the same kind of area. But if there's growth as an opportunity, I'm all for it.
"The market globally is evolving all the time, so we're gonna evolve with it."
MORE: Suzuki Jimny gets tough makeover, Swift gets sporty new look
MORE: A Suzuki Jimny ute "would be awesome", says small-car brand's local chief
MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota says he wants to fill the Swift Sport-shaped hole in the brand's local lineup, as well as bolster the wider range with different body styles and powertrains.
The Swift Sport, based on the previous-generation hatch, has been out of production for Australia since revised safety regulations regarding autonomous emergency braking (AEB) came into effect earlier this year.
There has been no word from Suzuki globally on on a new Swift Sport based on the new-generation mild-hybrid hatch, and Suzuki's local division says it's in the dark as well.
"We haven't been told anything at all. We get surprised from time to time by Suzuki Japan," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Above: Suzuki Swift Sport generations (L-R): First, second, third, and 2025 Swift Champions concept
"They're very confidential when it comes to their development, and we only get certain visions based on, for example, evolutions of product sometimes, other bits and pieces. Swift Sport is possibly a hot topic globally, I just await any news on it."
The Swift Sport is a simple vehicle in principle. Take an otherwise affordable, economical hatch, make it look a little tougher, fit a more potent engine, and keep prices attainable while you're at it.
This was certainly the case for the outgoing third-generation Swift Sport. It featured a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 103kW of power and 230Nm of torque, the option of a six-speed manual or automatic, and started at $29,990 before on-roads.
This was only $200 pricier than the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder found in the Swift GLX Turbo, which had just 82kW and 160Nm. At the bottom of the range was a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 66kW and 120Nm, priced from $23,490 before on-roads.
Above: Current-generation Suzuki Swift Hybrid
The current Swift Hybrid, meanwhile, features a 12V mild-hybrid system and a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine producing 61kW and 112Nm.
It's not clear what could power a potential new Swift Sport, but Suzuki still offers small-displacement four-cylinder turbo engines available in other Suzukis such as the S-Cross, which can still be had with the warm hatch's 103kW/130Nm Boosterjet turbo-four.
"Just like you, we're sitting here waiting and hoping that there might be something there. But if there isn't, to be fair, the current product line is selling quite well, so I'm happy with it," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
Suzuki's Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, did reveal the hotter-looking Swift Champions model earlier this year, but that wasn't much more than a concept.
The Swift is Suzuki's second-best-selling model in Australia with 1935 delivered in the first half of 2025, while the Jimny is well ahead with 4365.
Above: Suzuki Swift Champions concept
Mr Pachota said he's keen for more than just a new Swift Sport though, telling CarExpert he'd be open to anything and everything from commercial vehicles and utes to different types of electric vehicle (EV).
"I have an appetite for anything else outside of my product portfolio. So anything that I can get to add to the Australian product lineup, both hands are up," he said.
"Different segments, different opportunities, you know. And we're the small car specialists, so we kind of play in the same kind of area. But if there's growth as an opportunity, I'm all for it.
"The market globally is evolving all the time, so we're gonna evolve with it."
MORE: Suzuki Jimny gets tough makeover, Swift gets sporty new look
MORE: A Suzuki Jimny ute "would be awesome", says small-car brand's local chief
MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota says he wants to fill the Swift Sport-shaped hole in the brand's local lineup, as well as bolster the wider range with different body styles and powertrains.
The Swift Sport, based on the previous-generation hatch, has been out of production for Australia since revised safety regulations regarding autonomous emergency braking (AEB) came into effect earlier this year.
There has been no word from Suzuki globally on on a new Swift Sport based on the new-generation mild-hybrid hatch, and Suzuki's local division says it's in the dark as well.
"We haven't been told anything at all. We get surprised from time to time by Suzuki Japan," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Above: Suzuki Swift Sport generations (L-R): First, second, third, and 2025 Swift Champions concept
"They're very confidential when it comes to their development, and we only get certain visions based on, for example, evolutions of product sometimes, other bits and pieces. Swift Sport is possibly a hot topic globally, I just await any news on it."
The Swift Sport is a simple vehicle in principle. Take an otherwise affordable, economical hatch, make it look a little tougher, fit a more potent engine, and keep prices attainable while you're at it.
This was certainly the case for the outgoing third-generation Swift Sport. It featured a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 103kW of power and 230Nm of torque, the option of a six-speed manual or automatic, and started at $29,990 before on-roads.
This was only $200 pricier than the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder found in the Swift GLX Turbo, which had just 82kW and 160Nm. At the bottom of the range was a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 66kW and 120Nm, priced from $23,490 before on-roads.
Above: Current-generation Suzuki Swift Hybrid
The current Swift Hybrid, meanwhile, features a 12V mild-hybrid system and a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine producing 61kW and 112Nm.
It's not clear what could power a potential new Swift Sport, but Suzuki still offers small-displacement four-cylinder turbo engines available in other Suzukis such as the S-Cross, which can still be had with the warm hatch's 103kW/130Nm Boosterjet turbo-four.
"Just like you, we're sitting here waiting and hoping that there might be something there. But if there isn't, to be fair, the current product line is selling quite well, so I'm happy with it," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
Suzuki's Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, did reveal the hotter-looking Swift Champions model earlier this year, but that wasn't much more than a concept.
The Swift is Suzuki's second-best-selling model in Australia with 1935 delivered in the first half of 2025, while the Jimny is well ahead with 4365.
Above: Suzuki Swift Champions concept
Mr Pachota said he's keen for more than just a new Swift Sport though, telling CarExpert he'd be open to anything and everything from commercial vehicles and utes to different types of electric vehicle (EV).
"I have an appetite for anything else outside of my product portfolio. So anything that I can get to add to the Australian product lineup, both hands are up," he said.
"Different segments, different opportunities, you know. And we're the small car specialists, so we kind of play in the same kind of area. But if there's growth as an opportunity, I'm all for it.
"The market globally is evolving all the time, so we're gonna evolve with it."
MORE: Suzuki Jimny gets tough makeover, Swift gets sporty new look
MORE: A Suzuki Jimny ute "would be awesome", says small-car brand's local chief
MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota says he wants to fill the Swift Sport-shaped hole in the brand's local lineup, as well as bolster the wider range with different body styles and powertrains.
The Swift Sport, based on the previous-generation hatch, has been out of production for Australia since revised safety regulations regarding autonomous emergency braking (AEB) came into effect earlier this year.
There has been no word from Suzuki globally on on a new Swift Sport based on the new-generation mild-hybrid hatch, and Suzuki's local division says it's in the dark as well.
"We haven't been told anything at all. We get surprised from time to time by Suzuki Japan," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Above: Suzuki Swift Sport generations (L-R): First, second, third, and 2025 Swift Champions concept
"They're very confidential when it comes to their development, and we only get certain visions based on, for example, evolutions of product sometimes, other bits and pieces. Swift Sport is possibly a hot topic globally, I just await any news on it."
The Swift Sport is a simple vehicle in principle. Take an otherwise affordable, economical hatch, make it look a little tougher, fit a more potent engine, and keep prices attainable while you're at it.
This was certainly the case for the outgoing third-generation Swift Sport. It featured a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 103kW of power and 230Nm of torque, the option of a six-speed manual or automatic, and started at $29,990 before on-roads.
This was only $200 pricier than the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder found in the Swift GLX Turbo, which had just 82kW and 160Nm. At the bottom of the range was a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 66kW and 120Nm, priced from $23,490 before on-roads.
Above: Current-generation Suzuki Swift Hybrid
The current Swift Hybrid, meanwhile, features a 12V mild-hybrid system and a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine producing 61kW and 112Nm.
It's not clear what could power a potential new Swift Sport, but Suzuki still offers small-displacement four-cylinder turbo engines available in other Suzukis such as the S-Cross, which can still be had with the warm hatch's 103kW/130Nm Boosterjet turbo-four.
"Just like you, we're sitting here waiting and hoping that there might be something there. But if there isn't, to be fair, the current product line is selling quite well, so I'm happy with it," Mr Pachota told CarExpert.
Suzuki's Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, did reveal the hotter-looking Swift Champions model earlier this year, but that wasn't much more than a concept.
The Swift is Suzuki's second-best-selling model in Australia with 1935 delivered in the first half of 2025, while the Jimny is well ahead with 4365.
Above: Suzuki Swift Champions concept
Mr Pachota said he's keen for more than just a new Swift Sport though, telling CarExpert he'd be open to anything and everything from commercial vehicles and utes to different types of electric vehicle (EV).
"I have an appetite for anything else outside of my product portfolio. So anything that I can get to add to the Australian product lineup, both hands are up," he said.
"Different segments, different opportunities, you know. And we're the small car specialists, so we kind of play in the same kind of area. But if there's growth as an opportunity, I'm all for it.
"The market globally is evolving all the time, so we're gonna evolve with it."
MORE: Suzuki Jimny gets tough makeover, Swift gets sporty new look
MORE: A Suzuki Jimny ute "would be awesome", says small-car brand's local chief
MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au