WIN IT
One lucky reader can drive off with a brand-new Suzuki Swift 1.4 GLS manual valued at R184 900.
The charming little hatchback is up for grabs in our stick-a-pic competition and you'll find the entry form in the motoring section of The Star on Thursday 31 October.
To enter, cut out the entry form, collect the coupons which will appear in The Star over the next few weeks, and stick them onto the picture. Once you have the picture completed, post it to us at the address listed in the entry form.
OR TEST IT FOR US…
In a separate competition we're also offering the chance for three of our readers to drive a Suzuki Swift 1.4 GLS for a week and write a road test on it, which we will publish. So if you're a budding motoring journalist and you have a driving licence, here's your chance to get those creative juices flowing and impress us with your writing skills.
For a chance to test-drive the car and write the road test, sms STAR SWIFT followed by your name and surname and ID number to 45607, by midnight on Wednesday 30 October, 2013. Terms and conditions apply and sms cost R1.50. (This does not give entry to the stick-a-pic competition).
MORE ABOUT THE SWIFT
Suzuki Swift was one of two models that spearheaded the launch of Suzuki Auto South Africa in June 2008. In 2011 this model evolved into an even more accomplished sports compact.
The second generation of Suzuki's multiple award-winning world car takes the sporty and attractive demeanour of the outgoing model to new heights, while retaining the distinctive and popular character of the original.
The new-generation Swift raises the bar even further, with more athletic and elegant styling, a more upmarket interior, handling that has been further refined, and an even closer focus on achieving superior fuel economy and environmental performance.
Living up to its name, the Swift looks the athletic part, emphasised by pronounced “shoulders” and a unique wrap-around windscreen with blacked out A and B-pillars - a trademark styling cue hinting at the purposeful shape of a helmet visor. The car rides on 16-inch alloy wheels wearing 185/55 R16 tyres, and has front fog lights that add to its sporty persona.
In the new cabin, the Swift gains a markedly sportier, yet also more refined ambience, courtesy of the sophisticated black trim with contrasting silver accents. This is complemented by a new array of instruments and controls, along with upmarket textures and craftsmanship.
Suzuki's expertise in efficient compact car design is reflected in proportions that optimise roominess and comfort, with significant gains in both areas despite a minimal increase in overall length of just 95mm to 3.85m.
The Suzuki Swift 1.4 GLS is one of the most feature-packed cars in South Africa's competitive compact hatchback league.
Standard goodies include air conditioning; electric windows and mirrors; remote central locking; factory-fitted alarm/immobiliser; a full trip computer; an MP3/CD player with USB slot; a reach-adjustable, leather-covered steering wheel with audio controls; automatic climate control; and a keyless start system.
In the event of a collision, the Swift driver and passengers are protected by a full complement of front airbags, side airbags incorporated into the front seats, as well as front and rear curtain airbags. Additional consideration is given to younger passengers, with the inclusion of Isofix child-seat anchorage points and tethers on the rear seats as standard equipment, along with child-proof rear door locks.
Suzuki's new Swift has been credited as one of Europe's safest cars. It achieved a maximum five-star rating in the newly revised, more stringent Euro NCAP crash test.
Further complementing the safety arsenal, all Swift models come standard with an advanced braking system, incorporating ABS brakes with both electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist.
The new-generation Swift is powered by a 1 372cc petrol engine with variable intake-valve timing producing outputs of 70kW and 130Nm. This ensures a 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds and a respectable top speed of 170km/h, but more importantly a very budget-friendly fuel consumption of 5.5 litres per 100km in a combination of town/freeway driving, along with a planet-sensitive 132g/km of CO2 emissions rating. That makes it 13 percent more efficient than its predecessor.
The Swift displays tar-hugging handling manners through the corners too, thanks to having the widest track in its class.
Not only is it stable in quick direction changes, but the speed-sensitive electric power steering has a weighty and communicative feel. -Star Motoring