The all-new Swift light car has launched in Australia, promising class-leading fuel economy, safety and driving dynamics.

Almost every element of the car has been redesigned, with evolutionary new looks, an upgraded handling package, a new fuel efficient engine and class-leading safety.

“Suzuki revolutionised the market five years ago with the launch of the third generation of its famous Swift nameplate,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

“It was the catalyst for Suzuki to launch its world strategy and has undoubtedly been one of the automotive success stories of the past decade thanks to its outstanding combination of handling, reliability and value for money.”

A winner of 63 car of the year awards in 19 countries, Swift reached the magical one million sales mark faster than any car in the company’s history and to date has sold nearly two million units.

Devers said Suzuki had created even higher levels of Swift performance and styling and combined them with superior environmental performance to create a light car perfectly suited for today.

“The all new Swift is the epitome of Suzuki’s philosophy that driving a compact car does not mean having to settle for less.

“The development team’s motto for the new Swift was simple – “More Swift!”

“This motto encapsulated a development program aimed at evolving the Swift for more economy, more sportiness, more dynamism, more excellence, and more fun.”

Devers said the new Swift was unmistakably an evolution of its predecessor, and even better in the ways that counted.

“It’s more fun to drive thanks to exhilarating, sporty handling more fun to look at thanks to a sporty, modern design with added sophistication inside and out.

“It’s an even clearer reflection of Suzuki’s desire to offer a sports compact that’s perfectly suited to the lifestyles and demands of the times.”

Suzuki’s latest world model makes considerable developments in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling, improved fuel consumption and significantly lower emissions.

Extensive use of higher strength steel makes the new bodyshell lighter and stiffer than before as well as offering refinement in underbody design. This latest design has also helped improve impact safety for pedestrians as well as occupants.

Increased track and larger diameter wheels with lower profile tyres allow for even better handling than the highly acclaimed outgoing Swift launched in 2005.

The interior design now has a more dynamic feel, featuring black as its keynote colour with accents of silver throughout the car.

For even more space inside, Swift has grown slightly in length (+90mm) with a 50mm increase in wheelbase and 10mm increase in height.

The new Suzuki Swift will be available in three different grades – GA, GL and GLX – all complete with high levels of standard equipment.

The GA comes standard with:

1.4-litre VVT engine

Front airbags

Seat-mounted side airbags

Side curtain airbags

Driver’s knee airbag

ESP stability control

ABS brakes with EBD and BA

Four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with USB port

Air conditioner

Power windows

Power mirrors

Remote central locking

15-inch steel wheels

The GL adds:

Optional four-speed automatic transmission

Body-coloured door handles / side mirrors

Mirror-mounted side indicators

Leather steering wheel

Steering wheel-mounted audio controls

Six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system

Tachometer

The range-topping GLX comes complete with:

16-inch alloy wheels

Rear wheel disc brakes

Telescopically adjustable steering wheel

Keyless entry/start system

Bluetooth

Climate control air conditioner

Front fog lamps