SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.

*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the reports.

We attended the unveiling of the 2011 Suzuki Swift

This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a prepared course chosen to make the product look good. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.


Pics supplied

Make it More Swift

Published inThe Witness Motoring on Wednesday April 20, 2011

The design brief handed to Suzuki engineers was simple: the Swift is a great little car. Don't mess with it; just make it better. Don't give us a new Swift - make it More Swift. That is what they did. Viewed from the outside, it would take a really dedicated fan to notice the differences. The side view appears a touch more wedge-like and it's 95 mm longer. Wheelbase has been increased by 40 mm while front and rear tracks are respectively 20 mm and 15 mm wider - not the kind of thing a casual observer would notice. The most obvious changes are to the interior that is much more modern in appearance.

What stays the same is that there are two models, GL and GLS and their equipment levels are pretty much as before. The entry level GL has 15" steel wheels with full caps, while a space-saving 135/70 R15 temporary spare wheel is provided for emergency use. Standard features include an attractive three-spoke steering wheel with height adjustment and variable-ratio electric power assistance, rear fog lamps and a multi-function computer that displays outside temperature, fuel consumption (instantaneous and average) and driving range.

There are electric windows front and rear, electrically adjustable mirrors, remote central locking for doors and tailgate and a manual air-conditioning system with integrated pollen filter. It is pre-wired with a roof antenna and six speakers, facilitating fitment of an optional MP3-compatible CD receiver. The driver’s chair is height-adjustable while the rear seat splits 60:40 for loading bulky items. This takes the standard luggage capacity from 210 litres to 533 litres. Those seat backs fold 95 percent flat, so load space isn't really compromised.

Dual front airbags are standard, along with two ISOFIX anchorage points and three tether points for optimal child seat safety. Active safety kit includes ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist to ensure best stopping performance in all conditions. A factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser, along with freewheeling key cylinders help provide maximum anti-theft security.

The GLS gains alloy wheels with 185/55 R16 tyres, automatic climate control, four more air bags, disc brakes at the rear and a reach-adjustable leather-covered steering wheel with satellite controls for the sound system. Front fog lamps, keyless start and an MP3-compatible CD player with tuner and USB connection are included too. A four-speed automatic transmission with improved lock-up slip control is optional at this trim level.

Much as the new Swift appears to be like the old, there have been some serious changes under the skin, where it really counts. To begin with, it's been made lighter, stronger and more rigid by using higher-strength steels. Then Suzuki improved roll stiffness in the suspension, making it lighter and stronger in the process. This allowed them to soften the ride to make things more comfortable without compromising handling - if anything the new Swift handles even better than its sporty predecessor. All this played an important role in securing the European-spec New Swift’s five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. According to Suzuki, it achieved the highest overall rating in the organisation's 2010 test programme.

What else don't you see from the outside? Oh yes, the engine. A completely new 1372 cc motor with variable valve timing cuts average fuel consumption from 8,3 l/100 km to 7,7 with very little change in performance. Power is down a bit, from 74 kW to 70 kW and 133 Nm of torque to 130 Nm, but the wider power band still enables brisk performance, doing the benchmark sprint in a claimed 10,9 seconds, or 12,3 in the case of the automatic.

A familiarisation run, from Sibaya to Wartburg and back via the country roads showed both manual and automatic versions to be willing performers with high levels of comfort and handling ability. Rear seat legroom is quite adequate for children and smaller adults while two hulking brutes co-existed peacefully in front. The automatic transmission has no manual override apart from the "D-2-L" positions you might remember from Grampy's Valiant, but the new lockup technology works well, allowing hardly any slippage.

The brief was to take a great little car and make it better without compromising its core. Suzuki's engineers succeeded.

Prices
Swift GL Manual        R152 900
Swift GLS Manual      R169 900
Swift GLS Auto          R183 900
Warranty:  3 years/100 000 km
Service plan:  4 years/60 000 km

Prices include an AA roadside assistance plan with breakdown towing, 24-hour road patrols, battery and locksmith call-out services and emergency medical rescue.

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? That's your privilege, because if everybody agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place. All I ask is that you remain calm, so please blow off a little steam before venting too vigorously.