New Swift Sport Has Arrived!
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SUMMER 2018 New Swift Sport has arrived! ALSO INSIDE: East coast A very Swift GTi – Gixxer Cup – Suzuki’s Going cruising in a rewarding year Swift Sport’s Growing future advanced back to Baleno RS for Suzuki heritage champions safety systems kindy Welcome Is that another year gone by didn’t quite know how to categorise been updated with the RS model already? It’s true what they say it. The Compact SUV seemed to defy receiving the powerful BoosterJet then, “Life is Swift” and 2017 was definition but whatever you call it, engine. Looking forward to 2018 we certainly Swift’s year. The new Swift it’s a whole lot of fun. Again, we’ve think it’s going to be another great launched in June and was an instant had great feedback from owners and year. We hope you had a relaxing hit – with both drivers and motoring professional drivers alike along with break – because with new Swift experts. Towards the end of the even more awards including best Sport making its New Zealand year the awards came flooding car under $20k. Vitara continues debut, it’s going to be a fast and in – people just love it. Ignis also to be a strong contender – we’re exciting 2018! premiered last year. We were all seeing more of them on the road GARY COLLINS excited by the retro cool design and every month. And Baleno has just GENERAL MANAGER, MARKETING. Proud Owners New Swift Sport! Snap their Suzukis Swift Sport has always held a special place in Suzuki’s lineup. Engineered from the ground up for pure performance, it has earned a reputation for being an uncompromising driver’s vehicle. The Swift Owner Competition was a resounding The all-new third generation Swift Sport builds on the legend and takes our ‘hot hatch’ to even success with photos pouring in from all over the country. We were swamped with shots of proud greater heights. With its lightweight HEARTECT platform and astounding BoosterJet engine it’s owners and their vehicles. leaner, meaner and Swifter than ever before. HOT HATCH STYLE There’s no mistaking that iconic Swift Sport design – but as you can see, it’s been ramped up, reimagined, and refined. The new Sport is lower and wider with customised skirts, twin exhausts, and a unique rear spoiler. You’ll also notice a new honeycomb grille, a business-like rear diffuser, distinctive 17-inch polished alloys and check out those hidden rear door handles! For the latest Suzuki news from here and overseas visit www.suzuki.co.nz or follow us at facebook.com/SuzukiNZ suzuki now ■ summer 2018 3 LIGHTER, STRONGER just 970 kg (manual) – and that incredible sensors including a monocular camera, laser, HEARTECT PLATFORM BoosterJet engine, it boasts an outstanding and millimetre wave radar. These innovative 4.2:1 weight-to-torque ratio (kg:Nm). accident avoidance and electronic driver New Swift Sport features a state-of-the-art, Translation? Higher fuel efficiency, increased assistance technologies have helped Swift high-rigidity HEARTECT frame. Its smoothly agility, quicker acceleration and even more Sport achieve ANCAP’s highest safety rating curving continuous shape effectively responsive handling. of 5 out of 5 stars. disperses impact energy in the case of a See the article later in this issue for collision. Fewer joints and the use of special STATE-OF-THE-ART SAFETY more on Suzuki’s game-changing Advanced high-tensile steel mean less reinforcements Swift Sport sets the standard for safety. Forward Detection System. are required which reduces weight. In On top of the stronger HEARTECT chassis, fact new Swift Sport is up to 90 kg lighter it features an Advanced Forward Detection MANUAL $28,500 plus orc than its predecessor. With a kerb weight of System with a range of incredibly accurate AUTO $29,900 plus orc New Swift Sport is available with a sport-grade six-speed manual transmission or a smooth-shifting 6-stage auto with paddle shifters. INTERIOR INTUITION As you would expect, new Swift Sport has torque even in the low rev range. It responds Inside, Swift Sport is laser-focused on all the latest mod-cons including a 7-inch instantly and accurately delivering punch, delivering the ultimate experience to the touchscreen display with a built-in reverse dynamism and authority. driver. With meticulous design, quality camera. This gives you access to a range of POWER: 103 kW @ 5,500 rpm components, and an intuitive layout the car multimedia features including audio, hands- TORQUE: 230 Nm @ 2,500-3,500 rpm becomes a natural extension of your body. free phone, navigation, and smartphone FUEL: 6.1 L / 100 km combined There’s a sporty D-shaped steering wheel, a integration. Automatic air conditioning helps CO2: 141 g/km premium competition shifter, and race-style you keep your cool when things get heated, alloy pedals. The main console features a and the Adaptive Cruise Control system prominent speedometer and tachometer utilises millimetre wave radar to make open along with turbo boost, oil temperature and road cruising more comfortable and safe. G sensor readouts. The Swift Sport’s semi-bucket seats TURBOCHARGED incorporate lightweight tubular frames to EXCITEMENT hold you firmly during cornering. Even the It wouldn’t be a Swift Sport without a race- internal pads have been carefully shaped and tuned, championship-worthy engine – and fine-tuned to transmit road-feel but remain the newly developed 1.4L BoosterJet delivers comfortable for everyday driving. In the rear in spades. This direct injected, intercooled there’s plenty of clever storage with roomy turbo powerhouse is a technological tour seats that fold down to make the most of de force. It’s compact, lightweight and fuel- the practically-proportioned boot. efficient while delivering a robust amount of 4 suzuki now ■ summer 2018 suzuki now ■ summer 2018 5 Quick Get Away – and memory lane for me as we used to local café (muffins to die for) we decided ranges, precipitous gorges, and dramatic stay at the campground there as kids. I’m to spend the day on the Mahia peninsula. I volcanic plateaus. Again, the Baleno felt not supposed to be eating sugar but who can felt a tad guilty talking to a guy who was just eager – even on the steepest inclines. Exploring the East Coast resist a hokey pokey ice-cream when you’re about to cycle up to Lake Waikaremoana – After many a visit, Taupo feels like home on holiday? having just cycled 4 hours from Gisborne. We to me. We had no trouble finding good Back on the road we decided we’d go hadn’t even walked up the driveway! digs and had an exquisite meal at The in the New Baleno RS as far as Tolaga Bay before heading back. The surf beaches along the road to Mahia Bistro – highly recommended if you’re in the When you have a two year old, a trip to the super- Parking up, my wife and I sauntered through This section of the Pacific Coast Highway are rugged and spectacular. Even in my neighbourhood. serves up some of the most spectacular surfie days I’m not sure I would’ve taken on After a good night’s sleep, we headed market by yourself feels like a holiday. So when the the charismatic art-deco city, down to the beach. Over a very nice coffee we finally coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer. the waves there – but, all along the coast a round the lake via a section of the Volcanic grandparents offered to babysit for three days, my Loop Highway – better known as good ol’ did some planning and booked a motel in The 130 year old Tolaga Bay Inn is good for a hard-core of mostly older surfers, bronzed hearty lunch, and no visit would be complete and wrinkled by the sun, were loving every State Highway 1 to Waiouru. The Desert Road wife and I were giddy with gratitude. With no real Gisborne. What we didn’t do was top up on without a stroll along the historic pier. minute of it. Mahia Bay was more our pace. was moody as always. We made a traditional plan in mind we decided to head towards the East petrol. Perhaps it was the relaxed, optimistic After the obligatory photos we decided to A gentle curve of golden sand, light zephyrs stop to get milk from Bulls, then it was Coast for a short break in our Baleno RS – sans kids. vibe brought on by the East Coast sunshine. make a beeline for the Morere Hot Springs and sparkling waters. It was a perfect day on to the fancy new Kapiti Expressway. At Perhaps it was the excitement of seeing n our typical last-minute way we threw a can ‘manually’ change gears. On challenging about an hour south of Gisborne. We booked and, thanks to the driver of an immaculate Paekakariki we squeezed back into a single the sea. Either way, we forgot to refuel the few things into the roomy boot and took roads it’s enormously entertaining as you at the lodge just opposite which turned out vintage Mini, a fun drive home. Together we lane to face the winding uphill grind through Baleno and were very relieved to see a off from Wellington. The steep, winding can ‘engine brake’ into a corner, then push to be a great idea. Our host Paul arranged took on the twisting road, roared past the Pukerua Bay, then coasted down Ngauranga service station as we reached the outskirts climb through the Rimutakas is State the revs higher as you power out.