Suzuki Cars Malaysia has unveiled the Suzuki Swift Silver Edition, a special model designed to cater to the needs of the Malaysian market. The launch of this model took place during the grand opening of the first Suzuki 3S Centre in Johor.
The Suzuki Swift Silver Edition, imported exclusively from Japan as a CBU (Completely Built-Up) variant, features an elegant exterior design with a Premium Metallic Silver colour. It is equipped with a 1.4L BOOSTERJET engine paired with a responsive 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering an impressive performance of 140hp and 230Nm of torque at 2,500rpm. Built on the advanced HEARTECT platform, this model places a strong emphasis on safety with enhanced underbody rigidity, ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience.
The exterior design retains the iconic Swift look, with a large grille featuring red accents, a stylish black hood cover, and side decals. The sporty silhouette is further enhanced with hidden rear door handles, concealed pillars, a rear spoiler, and side mirror covers coated with carbon fibre. To enhance its sporty appeal, an “Akrapovic” carbon fibre exhaust system has been incorporated at the rear.
Inside the Suzuki Swift Silver Edition, you’ll find a sporty ambience with carbon fibre touches adorning the instrument panel, air conditioning switches, and door trim. The car comes equipped with a 10″ Soundstream entertainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enhancing the overall driving experience.
The Suzuki Swift Silver Edition offers an enjoyable and dynamic driving experience, thanks to an 80kg reduction in curb weight compared to its predecessor. This lightweight design provides quick and efficient handling, embodying the essence of a true hot hatchback. With an impressive torque-to-weight ratio of approximately 4.2 kg/Nm, the Suzuki Swift solidifies its position as a formidable contender in the hot hatchback segment.
The Suzuki Swift Silver Edition seamlessly combines sporty aesthetics with premium craftsmanship, delivering a unique and enjoyable driving experience. Priced at RM 145,900.00 (before insurance), the Suzuki Swift is ready to captivate automotive enthusiasts and fans across Malaysia. This new edition demonstrates Suzuki’s commitment to delivering models tailored to the Malaysian market’s preferences and requirements.
The next-generation Suzuki Swift has been revealed as a concept, offering a glimpse of what the production model may look like when it officially launches in 2024. While it’s officially labelled a concept, it appears virtually production-ready, with an evolutionary design compared to the current model.
The concept features a similar overall shape to the current Swift but incorporates some subtle design changes. Notably, there’s a prominent crease running along the side of the vehicle, just above the door handles. The door handles are situated below the beltline at the rear of the car, rather than in the C-pillar like the current model. This side crease flows into the headlights and aligns with the hood line.
The grille appears slightly smaller and rounder than the current model, and the concept car sports a black contrast roof. While Suzuki has been known for adventurous designs in recent years, such as the retro-styled Ignis and Jimny, the new Swift seems to take a more evolutionary approach in terms of design.
Nearly two years following the Suzuki Jimny’s comeback to the Malaysian market, Naza Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd has released the Jimny Rhino edition. This limited-edition model intends to revive consumer interest in Suzuki’s famous Jimny and give buyers a unique ownership experience.
A Jimny Lifestyle Drive was held to mark the debut of this new edition. Mohamad Irwan Shahril, Chief Operating Officer of Naza Eastern Motors, and more than 30 Jimny owners participated in a convoy drive from the Suzuki Cars Petaling Jaya Showroom to the Malaysia 4WD Training & Experience Centre (M4TREC) in Semenyih where the Jimny Rhino Edition was unveiled. This was followed by an off-road demonstration and exercise by Suzuki Jimny instructors.
To show what its future direction is like, Suzuki is presenting its eVX concept model at India’s Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi this week. The eVX is the carmaker’s first global strategic electric vehicle (EV) which will be the basis of an all-new SUV model to be launched in 2025.
The design of the eVX draws on models like the Grand Vitara and S-Cross while moving the brand forward with new elements that brings its 4×4 legacy into the electric era. With no need for air to cool the radiator, the front end is closed off and a large Suzuki badge is mounted in the centre. The futuristic lights are likely to be just for the showcar as they would unlikely be able to meet regulations.
Gran Turismo 7, the super-realistic sim racing videogame by Polyphony Digital/Sony Interactive Entertainment received its latest update recently. This follows the update in April which saw the addition of 3 new cars (2 Subaru BRZs and the Suzuki Cappuccino) and the 24-hour layout of Spa-Francorchamps.
With this update, players get another 3 new cars – the Roadster Shop Rampage, Toyota GR010 HYBRID ’21, and Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo. Additionally, new events have been added to the World Circuits, namely the Lightweight K-Cup, Vision Gran Turismo Trophy and Gr. 1 Prototype Series.
Toyota GR010 HYBRID ’21
Roadster Shop Rampage
Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo
Of the 3 new cars, the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo has been much anticipated. It showcases Suzuki’s expertise in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel products, highlighting the company’s involvement in both motorcycles and automobiles. Only a handful of companies can lay claim in mastering the two genres, and fewer still can boast international racing success in both.
Suzuki’s Vision Gran Turismo, which joins a number of other Vision Gran Turismo models from other many carmakers, was developed as a unique all-wheel drive super sportscar which fuses the company’s motorcycle and automotive know-how.
The 2-seater in the familiar yellow colour of the brand has a convertible bodystyle with a front-engine/rear-wheel-drive layout. It has a very powerful hybrid drivetrain consisting of the 1340 cc inline-4 petrol engine taken from the company’s flagship sports bike, the Hayabusa, and electric motors.
There are 3 electric motors – 2 in front and 1 at the back. The combined system output is shown as 318 kW/432 ps at 9,700 rpm with 610 Nm of torque.
During development of this virtual supercar, Suzuki employed much of its racing technology in the construction, using as many lightweight components as possible. As a result, the car weighs just in 970 kgs.
As for the styling, the Vision Gran Turismo’s low stance and flowing lines were inspired by popular Suzuki production sportscar models like the Swift Sport and Cappuccino.
This isn’t the first time Suzuki fitted its powerful Hayabusa engine into an automobile. In fact, the company used it to power the GSX-R/4, a mid-engine sportscar concept that was shown in 2001. With the Vision Gran Turismo, Suzuki is recalling memories of that legendary showcar while introducing the latest technology.
According to Polyphony Digital, there will also be a Gr.3 version of the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo soon. That would certainly raise this classic sportscar formula to the next level.
Following the Suzuki Swift Sport that marked the return of the Suzuki car brand to Malaysia, Naza Eastern Motors (NEM), the official distributor, has now begun importing the Jimny compact SUV. Equally iconic as the Swift, the Jimny has a long history and its first generation predecessor was on sale in Malaysia as far back as the 1970s.
The first generation Jimny was truly a mini SUV, measuring about 3.2 metres long and 1.4 metres wide. With an 800 cc engine, its kerb weight was only 787 kgs which was advantageous on soft ground. Contractors loved it as it was ideal for going around construction sites and could even take rough terrain with its simple 4×4 system.
An advertisement in the 1970s for the first generation
Later versions of the first generation with various bodystyles, including a high roof, broadened the popularity of the model. However, by the third generation, the price had jumped significantly and although it was available, the numbers sold were very small.
The latest 4th generation has been around for about 3 years and when it was launched, many saw its appearance to be like a mini G-Wagen (the Mercedes-Benz SUV). In fact, there are aftermarket accessories to make it look like the German SUV. The price went up even more and NEM is offering it at RM168,900 (excluding sales tax) and for those who wonder, the price of the first generation was around RM17,500.
Of course, the Jimny has come a long way technically and has many modern technologies. It no longer uses a kei-class engine but a K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine. NEM is importing on the version with a 4-speed automatic transmission but you do get 4×4. And like the traditional SUVs, there’s even a transfer case with 2WD/4WD high range and 4×4 low range that enables very low speeds in difficult terrain.
The construction also follows traditional SUVs with a body-on-chassis (BOC) frame. Suzuki could probably have used a monocoque approach but may have used the BOC method for ‘traditional’ reasons. There’s nothing wrong with the BOC structure which is better for heavy loads though it may be slightly less comfortable. The coil spring suspension is a simple layout with a3-link rigid axle layout.
The size of the latest Jimny, which has only 2 side doors, has grown to 3.6 metres long and 1.6 metres wide. It has generous ground clearance of 210 mm, with good clearance angles for better off-road capability. It has also become heavier, with a kerb weight in the region of 1,095 kgs.
The original Jimny was a pretty bare vehicle with uncovered metal panels around the cabin. Today’s Jimny is, however, as comfortable and well equipped as a passenger car (which partly accounts for why its costs so much more). The 4-seater space is snug but has air-conditioning, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and a touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth, handsfree telephony and audio functions.
Like all SUVs, there are practical storage spaces but the compact external dimensions will already indicate that you can’t have a lot of cargo space. Nevertheless, the rear seats can be folded to 830 provide up to 820 litres of volume.
The Suzuki designers chose to retain the side-hinged rear door as well as spare wheel mounted on the door, two elements which follow the classic 4×4 SUV look. Over the past 15 years, as SUVs evolved into more passenger-like vehicles, the styling changed and designers switched to a top-hinged door (partly also for safety reasons) and decided that there was no need to add engineering complexity with the spare wheel hung on the door.
The Jimny also has all the safety systems expected of a vehicle today. Electronic Stability Control will be helpful in slippery conditions and of course, there’s ABS and also hill-descent control, the latter letting the computer safely control the vehicle as it moves down a slope. Parents with small children will appreciate the ISOFIX points behind for ease of installing compatible childseats.
In this age of increasing food trucks and mobile food services, here’s an idea from Suzuki’s British subsidiary which turns the Suzuki Jimny into a mobile coffee bar. The conversion of the compact SUV was carried out by Coffee Latino, which specializes in such projects.
The vehicle has a Chiffon Ivory Pearl metallic finish with Bluish Black roof and is nicknamed ‘Jimny Beans’. It will be used by the company for promotional activities in the UK, offering complimentary coffee at the venues.
The conversion makes maximum use of space within the compact dimensions of the vehicle. The front passenger’s seat was removed to accommodate all the services required which include a 57-litre water tank with 3M filtration system to ensure the water is clean. A compact 12V drawer fridge manufactured by Waeco is also fitted which cools milk to -2 degrees Centigrade.
At events, the vehicle can run on either gas or mains electricity with power inverter and has two additional large capacity 125A/H 12V batteries to assist with power if required. For gas, a LPG tank was installed in the limited space under the rear floor section which required a specially designed exhaust system with side exit pipe. And with its 4×4 drivetrain, the little Suzuki can also be taken off-road to camp sites or the beach for fresh coffee.
The high specification coffee machine, manufactured by Fracino, is fully integrated into the rear section of the vehicle with an aluminium-topped work area and milled aluminium effect panel surround. It has the facility to serve two speciality coffees at the same time via its twin milk frothing units as well as central hot water dispenser for tea.
The Jimny Beans project is typical of the services offered by 15-old family-run Coffee Latino. They offer bespoke and flexible solutions for customers who have different types of vehicles. Additionally, there is also free barista training along with training to operate the equipment safely and properly. For those who want to venture into this type of business, Coffee Latino has lease purchase on its coffee vans, coffee bikes, prosecco vans and other mobile catering solutions.
Although Suzuki is well known for motorcycles, its first motorised vehicles were actually cars and that was way back in the late 1930s. It only began making motorised bicycles in the 1950s and went back to making cars in the 1960s and accumulated experience in 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers.
So it’s not surprising that the Misano concept, a design project by 24 students at Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin, Italy, in collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer is a car that has inspiration from motorcycles. Motorcycle racing fans will, of course, know that the name is also that of a racetrack in Italy.
Only 1 metre at highest point
The Misano concept is around 4 metres in overall length and is just 1 metre above the ground at its highest point (which is the top of the roll-over hoops). The topless design adopts the classic barchetta silhouette which gives very good aerodynamics but what is unusual is the tandem 2-seat layout – like a motorcycle.
It’s not the first concept car with the passenger sitting directly behind the driver – some others that come to mind are the Volkswagen L1, Nissan Land Glider and Mercedes F300 Life Jet.
Other concept cars with tandem seating – Nissan Land Glider (top), Mercedes F300 Life Jet (above left) and Volkswagen L1 (above right)
Offset seating area
Unlike most of the other concepts, however, the width of the Misano is more generous with space. The seats are positioned on the left side while the right side of the cockpit us used for luggage space and to accommodate a battery pack.
Access is through the single door on the left side of the car which has a glass panel to give the driver a feel of being closer to the road. The windscreen is also motorcycle-inspired, shielding the driver’s side but not extending the full width.
No steering wheel
Another motorcycle element is the steering control. Instead of the conventional steering wheel and pedals, there is a control stick to ‘merges the adrenaline rush of two wheels, with the driving experience of four’, according to the designers. Today’s generation will probably be fine with that, having grown up on computer games and joysticks.
Eye-catching S-shaped headlights on either side of the nose and there is no grille since the Misano Concept is meant to be electrically powered. Powertrain details are not available suggesting that this is nothing more than a design study – which is very appealing.
The concept car is currently being shown to the public at Mauto, the Italian national automotive museum in Turin.
The auto industry has been developing autonomous vehicles that can operate on their own, without human control, and sometime in the future, perhaps all vehicles on the road will move around autonomously. However, besides imagery and sonar scanning to detect other vehicles and road-users so as not to knock into them, vehicles can also communicate with each other to enhance safety.
For example, if there is an accident around a blind corner, vehicles near it can broadcast the hazard and other approaching vehicles can take appropriate action to slow down. Likewise, at junctions, communications between vehicles could greatly improve safety and avoid accidents.
In order for this to be possible, there must be a common communications system that all vehicles can use and this is now being developed. Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor, Toyota Motor Corporation and Mazda Motor have reached an agreement to jointly develop technical specifications for next-generation vehicle communications devices and to promote the common use of communications systems.
Linking automobiles and other related elements
These systems will use connected services to link automobiles and other related elements with the aim of creating new appeal, value and services, to be standardized for early provision of safer and more convenient connected services.
Within the field of CASE (connected, autonomous/automated, shared, and electric), which is said to be bringing about major transformations in the automotive industry, rapid advances are being made in the connected domain, in relation to the communications and data aspects of technology and business including cloud services, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and AI. Individual automobile manufacturers are independently developing vehicle communications devices, and even in cases where the same connected services such as remote operation functions are provided, each company is adopting a different approach in proceeding with development and deploying relevant resources.
Safer and more convenient connected services
In response to these circumstances, the companies can provide safer and more convenient connected services to customers as early as possible, by positioning the development of vehicle communications devices, which are basic functions of the connected car, as a cooperative domain; positioning the development of applications and services as an in-house domain; and achieving greater efficiency and accelerating the development of vehicle communications devices. Each company can focus more on the development of applications and services on this common infrastructure through these steps.
Having a common communications system is vital as individual systems will create a fragmented infrastructure. It can be likened to the establishment of the common Windows operating system. In the early years of computers, there were different operating systems and users could not easily communicate with each other, or even exchange data. Once the Windows system (or MS-DOS) became a common system, companies could focus on developing software that was compatible and this led to faster growth for the industry.
At this time, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, and Mazda, while incorporating their own technologies into the base vehicle communications technologies developed by Toyota, will together build systems for next-generation connected cars with common connection specifications from vehicles to networks and the vehicle communications device centre.
A common communications system will allow vehicles of different brands and types to exchange information, reducing accidents.
Optimizing R&D resources
As a result, by stabilizing the communication quality between vehicles and vehicle communications device centre further, it will be possible to provide more convenient connected services to customers, such as clearer calls between customers and operators and faster connection speeds. At the same time, it will be possible to reduce the development burdens of each participating company and simplify system operation and version upgrades that include additional new functions, thereby optimizing resources such as facilities and personnel.
The 5 companies will openly consider collaboration with other like-minded partners regarding the joint development agreed on at this time while continuing their efforts to develop services that enrich the lives of people and solve social problems.
When Proton formed a technical tie-up with Suzuki, which led to the creation of the Proton Ertiga, the Japanese carmaker decided to show its support for the partnership (small though it was) by withdrawing from the Malaysian market in 2016. It was the same sort of move made by Mitsubishi Motors some 30 years earlier when it was involved with the Malaysian carmaker. The difference though was that Mitsubishi Motors had a stake in the company and could look at a long-term relationship whereas Suzuki was essentially just providing a product that Proton could adapt quickly.
The move by Suzuki disappointed its customers and fans, which had built up over 10 years. Although not all the products sold well, the brand image was strong. For enthusiasts especially, the Swift Sport was a hot little hatchback that offered zesty performance. Sadly, their favourite brand had abandoned the market and those who did own the cars kept them for as long as possible.
First Swift Sport launched in 2007.
Back with a new distributor
Now Suzuki is back, and it’s doing so through a new distributor – Naza Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd. (NEM) which is part of the Naza Group. Interestingly, although Naza has handled many different brands, it has never had a Japanese brand until now.
Suzuki has a wide range of models, from minicars to hatchbacks to SUVs, all small models. It did try to get into a larger sized market with a model called the Kizashi but never succeeded. The Suzuki model which Malaysians know best is the Swift which was introduced in 2005 when Suzuki Malaysia began operations.
Times have changed and while the plain vanilla Swift was popular back then, the market is filled with many more competitors today so NEM has decided to import just the Swift Sport, at least for now. This variant is the more iconic one and will surely have many who are eagerly waiting to get one.
Priced from RM139,900 (excluding insurance), the new Swift Sport is from the latest third generation with a 1.4-litre BOOSTERJET engine. Like many small engines today, this engine has direct fuel injection and turbocharging with intercooling which pushes output up to 140 bhp/230 Nm. The dual variable valve timing is electrically operated on the intake side but has hydraulic operation on the exhaust side.
During development, Suzuki’s engineers virtually eliminated the typical delay in power delivery (turbo lag) by attaching the compact turbocharger directly to the cylinder head as well as incorporating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head casting. This design ensures optimum gas flow with minimal heat loss through to the turbo unit.
No manual transmission
The power goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission which will disappoint enthusiasts. One of the strong attractions of the previous generations was that they were available (in Malaysia) with manual transmissions. This was at a time when companies were beginning to discontinue manual variants of their models due to diminishing demand.
It is likely that NEM did some market studies and found that the volume potential was higher for an automatic transmission variant than for a manual transmission. They could listen to a limited group of enthusiasts who might tell them ‘everyone who buys a Swift Sport will want a manual’ but the reality today is that most people are satisfied with an automatic. At least it’s not a CVT…
With the automatic transmission, the car is claimed to be able to do 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 km/h. If you don’t drive with the pedal floored most of the time, you could get 16.4 kms per litre and we learnt that, unlike the previous 1.5-litre engine, this new one can deliver 100% of the rated output with RON95 petrol. The previous engine was apparently tuned to give its maximum output with RON98 which we do not have, and with RON97, dyno testing showed that the output was 1 bhp less.
While the suspension layout is fairly straightforward, careful tuning has been done to give greater driving stability, optimised roll rigidity, and improved dynamic response. The rear suspension was specially designed to ensure good high speed stability and the trailing arm was developed exclusively for the Swift Sport to minimise deformation during cornering. The rigidity of the torsion beam is also tuned to provide optimal roll stiffness.
Suzuki engineers developed a new platform called ‘HEARTECT’ which is said to provide enhanced fundamental vehicle performance due to being light and highly rigid. The underbody’s structure and component layout are incorporated in a highly rigid frame that resists distortion while also dissipating impact energy. More welds are used to increase structural rigidity of the body.
Swift design DNA retained
While the technical aspects have changed significantly since the last time Malaysians had a Swift Sport to buy (officially), the design retains a familiar form that can be traced all the way back to the Concept S of 2004. That shape has evolved over the years but remains recognisable as a Swift. For the Swift Sport, the appearance is more expressive, in keeping with the sport image.
The 2004 Concept S
Black-out roof pillars give the impression of a ‘floating’ roof while dark trim running along the lower sides establishes a low centre of gravity. The handles for the rear doors are up on the roof pillar, an idea which is not unique nor new as it can be found on some other models. It gives a cleaner look to the door panel though some people will get confused not seeing a handle in the usual place.
Sporty cabin
As would be expected, the Swift Sport’s cabin has a sporty flavour with semi bucket front seats that should hug the body well to keep it in place during the spirited driving which an owner is bound to indulge in. The seats have tubular frames set within the side supports of both the seatback and seat base cushion with urethane pads for additional support.
The dashboard has a rather ‘classic’ layout, somewhat different from most of today’s cars. It’s functional with a basic tone of black to create a high contrast interior space. For added sport appeal, the tachometer features a red dial face and the speedometer is coloured silver. A digital multimedia info display between the meters shows, among other things real-time engine output (bhp and Nm), g-forces and turbo boost.
The 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, with red stitching, multi-function switches and paddle shifters, has a D-shaped design with a flat bottom, a feature usually found in sportscars.
The ventilation controls are in the form of large rotary knobs which will be appreciated by drivers as you don’t have to look down at them to make adjustments. Above the knobs is a 7-inch colour touchscreen for the infotainment system which has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink for connectivity.
The Swift Sport has Suzuki‘s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) for collision safety. This makes use of collapsible structures that absorb impact energy in the event of a collision, a frame structure that effectively disperses impact energy, and rigid cabin structure. Six airbags are provided for cushioning at the front and sides.
No driver-assist systems
While we usually read of driver-assistance active safety systems in almost every new model launched today, NEM doesn’t mention this in its materials. This is not to say that the model was developed without such systems as the Swift Sport sold in other markets does have a camera and radar which detect hazards and active systems that will give autonomous emergency braking.
Nevertheless, there is ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program which no car should be without today. There’s also cruise control which is the basic type as it cannot be adaptive without a camera or radar.
As the official distributors, NEM will of course provide all the necessary aftersales support and has one 3S service centre in operation with immediate effect. Presumably, they will have a network in due course and will also provide services to those who already own a Suzuki.
While Suzuki motorcycles were on Malaysian roads in the 1960s, the 4-wheelers appeared in the 1970s, with the early models being the SJ/LJ (above) – a miniaturized Jeep – and the SS80 which was known as the Alto elsewhere. The SJ was a simple vehicle with 4×4 and could go almost anywhere as it was light and small. However, in those days, small vehicles were not in great demand so the Suzukis had limited sales. Later on, with the Swift in the 1980s and then the Vitara, the brand started to gain followers. When Suzuki Malaysia began operations in 2005, it got off to a great start with the positive response to the new Swift which was later assembled locally as well while the Swift Sport was imported. There were other models like the APV, SX4, Kizashi (pictured below) and S-Cross which were sold but the numbers were limited. When Suzuki tied up with Proton, it withdrew its own products from the market as a show of support – perhaps thinking it would have a long-term relationship. But that was not to be after one model (the Ertiga) and the brand remained absent from the market for 5 years.
