Thanks to BHPian Leoshashi for sharing these images with other enthusiasts!

In December 2017, an image of an India-spec, third-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift had surfaced online. With the official unveiling just a few weeks away, the new Swift has been spotted yet again without any camouflage.

The new set of spy images gives us a closer look at the new Swift. The front of the car has a frameless black grille with a large "S" logo in the centre. It has round fog lamps that are placed in a black plastic housing that stretches onto the air dam. The car also gets sweptback headlights with projectors and LED DRLs, and ORVMs with integrated turn-indicators. 

On the sides, the new Swift gets blacked-out A and B-pillars with the rear door handles mounted on the C-pillars. As suggested by previous spy images, the car is likely to get new 5-spoke, diamond cut alloy wheels. 

The rear of the car features a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated high-mounted stop lamp (HMSL), a rear wiper, new LED tail lights. The tailgate features an "S" logo in the centre and a Swift badge of the left. There are no badges that indicate the variant of the car or whether its is a petrol or diesel version. 

The new Swift is expected to be offered with the same engines that power the Dzire compact sedan - a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit and 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel motor. A 5-speed manual transmission is likely to be offered as standard with an automatic available as an option. 

There have been reports that Maruti dealers have already started accepting bookings for the new Swift. The car is expected to debut at the 2018 Auto Expo.

Maruti Suzuki is set to unveil the new Swift at the 2018 Auto Expo. While the carmaker is yet to formally open the order books, media reports suggest that some dealerships have starting accepting bookings for the next-generation Swift.

It has also been reported that those customers who have booked the current generation Swift will be getting the new model if stocks of the existing model run out. Meanwhile, fresh bookings are also being accepted at certain dealerships. There has been no word about the actual booking amount though. Further, dealers have told customers that deliveries will commence by the end of February 2018 or by early March.

The new Swift shares its platform with the Baleno. The third-generation Swift gets a completely new exterior styling featuring a redesigned grille and new headlamps with LED DRLs. In side profile, the car looks similar to the outgoing model, while the rear features a new set of wraparound tail lights. Recent spy images suggest that the India-spec Swift will get 5-spoke, diamond-cut alloy wheels. Also, the car is likely to receive an all-black interior and a touchscreen infotainment system on the centre console.

The new-gen Swift will be offered with the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines as the outgoing model. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and an automatic.

Source: Autocar India

In March 2016, images of the next-generation Suzuki Swift surfaced on the internet and later in the month, a test mule of the car was spotted in Europe. Now the car has been spotted once again - this time in France. According to media reports, the car is expected to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show, which is scheduled to be held in October.

The new Swift will use a new platform and is expected to be around 70 kg lighter than the current model. While the heavy camouflage on the test mule does not allow us to draw many conclusions regarding the design, the leaked images of the car show that new Swift gets a redesigned front end. Changes include a new grille, bumper, bonnet and headlamps. On the sides, the vehicle gets black A and B-pillars, partially blackened C-pillars with the rear door handles mounted on them, ORVMs with integrated turn indicators and redesigned alloy wheels. The rear of the car sees a new pair of tail lamp clusters, a tail gate with and integrated roof spoiler and a redesigned bumper.

On the inside, the Swift is expected to get a new dashboard, a 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a reworked instrument cluster, restyled air-conditioner vents, a touchscreen infotainment system and redesigned switches for the climate control system.

The Swift is expected to be produced at Suzuki's upcoming plant in Gujarat, which is likely to start rolling out vehicles in 2017.

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has reached a cumulative worldwide sales figure of 5 million (50 lakh) units. The car has achieved this milestone in April 2016; 11 years and 5 months since the start of sales in 2004. India accounts for 54% of the 50 lakh units with 27 lakh units of the Swift and Swift Dzire sold so far. Europe and Japan account for 17% and 10% respectively.

Launched in November 2004, the Swift has been produced in various countries including Japan, Hungary, India, China, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. It is sold in more than 140 countries and regions across the world including emerging as well as developed markets.

In India, the Swift was launched in 2005. It accounts for approximately thirty percent (approximately 4,30,000 units) of Maruti Suzuki's annual sales units in the country. The company has added diesel variants and sedan variants of the car to keep its appeal strong.

Milestones:

• November 2004 - First-generation Swift released and launched in Japan
• February 2005 - Production begins in Hungary
• May 2005 - Production begins in India
• June 2005 - Production begins in China
• May 2007 - Production begins in Malaysia
• June 2008 - Cumulative worldwide production reaches one million units
• November 2009 - Production begins in Pakistan
• September 2010 - Second-generation Swift launched in Japan
• January 2011 - Cumulative worldwide sales reach two million units
• March 2012 - Production begins in Thailand
• January 2013 - Cumulative worldwide sales reach three million units
• January 2014 - Production begins in Vietnam
• August 2014 - Cumulative worldwide sales reach four million units
• April 2016 - Cumulative worldwide sales reach five million units

Earlier this month, images of the new Suzuki Swift were leaked (click here to read report). Now a test mule of the car has been spotted. While the heavy camouflage masks most of design changes on the car, the overall design appears similar to the car in the leaked images.

The pictures had revealed that the new Swift features a redesigned front end with a new grille, bumper, bonnet and headlamps. Viewed from the side, it is apparent that the design elements from the outgoing car have been carried over. The car has a black A-pillar and a partially blackened C-pillar with the rear door handles located on it. At the rear, the car gets new tail lamps, a roof spoiler and a restyled bumper. Other features include ORVMs with integrated turn indicators and redesigned alloy wheels. The test mule however, is seen running on steel wheels.

The interior of the Swift features a new dashboard, 3-spoke steering wheel with thumb contours, a restyled instrument cluster, redesigned AC vents, a touchscreen infotainment system and new switches for the climate control system.

Engine details have not been revealed. It is rumoured that the Swift will get the 1.0-litre turbocharged (Boosterjet) petrol engine that was showcased in the Baleno RS at the 2016 Auto Expo.

Source: Car Scoops

Maruti Suzuki has launched a limited edition of the Swift hatchback. The "Glory Edition", as it is called, is based on the V (VXi and VDi) trim level and features a number of cosmetic changes.

The car features a white paintjob with a red roof, spoilers, skirting and door mirrors and decals on the bonnet, roof, sides and hatch. The C-pillar of the car is blackened and there is a Glory Edition badge on the hatch.

The interiors of the car features black upholstery with red detailing, a red black and red steering wheel cover, black and red gear level boot and floor mats. The car also gets a new infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity. Safety features include ABS with EBD and reverse parking sensors and camera.

Mechanically, the Glory Edition is identical to the regular Swift. The car is available with a choice of two engines:

• 1.2-litre, VVT petrol, 83 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
• 1.3-litre, DDiS diesel, 74 BHP @ @ 4,000 rpm and 190 Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch a limited edition of the Swift hatchback. The car is likely to be based on the L trim level (LXi / LDi) and called the Swift SP.

According to the information available, the Swift SP will get features such as fog lamps, wheel covers, blacked out A and B-pillars, body-coloured door mirrors, body side mouldings and SP badges.

On the inside, the Swift SP will be equipped with an integrated music system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity and four speakers, seat and steering covers, a 60:40 split rear seat, memory foam cushions and power windows at the front and rear and.  Other features include reverse parking sensors and central locking.

The Swift SP is not expected to get any changes to its engines or transmissions. It will use the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel power plants and 5-speed manual transmission from the regular Swift.

Maruti will be offering a discount Rs. 10,630 on the car. There will be offers that help customers save up to Rs. 21,000 as well.

Source: Gaadiwaadi

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has crossed the 13 lakh cumulative sales mark. The car has achieved this milestone in less than ten years. It was launched in May 2005, and has been the best-selling car in its segment.

The Swift is sold as 5-door hatchback in India. The car is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 84 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm. The car is also available with a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel power plant that develops 74 BHP @ 4,000 rpm and 190 Nm of torque @ 2,000 rpm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Maruti claims that the fuel efficiency of the current Swift diesel is improved by 10%, while that of the Swift petrol is improved by 9.5% over the older models.

Timeline - Swift concept to reality:

• 2002 Paris Motor Show : Rally inspired Concept S showcased reflecting influences from two and four wheel racing activities
• 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show : Concept S2, an open-top sports car unveiled
• 2004 Paris Motor Show : Concept Swift showcased
• 2004 Nov : Launched in Japan
• 2005 May : Launched in India

Swift's journey in India:

• 2005: India launch
• 2007: Diesel variant
• 2010: Minor change
• 2011 (Aug): Full model change
• 2014 (Oct): Minor change

Swift sales milestones:

• Jan 2007: 1,00,000 units
• Mar 2008: 2,00,000 units
• Feb 2009: 3,00,000 units
• Jan 2010: 5,00,000 units
• Sep 2013: 10,00,000 units
• Apr 2015: 13,00,000 units

To mark the milestone, the company has lined up month long celebrations to engage with Swift owners.

The slowing down car market in India means that many automakers are turning towards exports to keep the utilization levels of their factories at decent clip. One such car maker is industry bellwether Maruti Suzuki, which has turned to exporting one of its best selling car, the Swift hatchback. A FinancialExpress report suggests that LHD (left hand drive) variants of the Swift hatchback are now being built at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar factory, and are headed towards markets in the developing world.

CKD assembled units of the Swift were already being exported from India, to countries in South East Asia such as Thailand and Malaysia. CBU exports of LHD Swifts add a new dimension to Maruti Suzuki's export strategy as the car maker was previously capable of building only right hand drive (RHD) variants of the highly popular hatchback. The LHD Swifts that Maruti Suzuki is said to be now building will head to emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Notably, Suzuki had recently announced that Maruti Suzuki would play a major role in the car maker's exports to Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. With the commencement of Swift LHD exports to these markets, the strategy appears to be playing out as envisaged. These exports are expected to allow Maruti Suzuki to make better use of its manufacturing facilities and also give the automaker significant gains in terms of profits on the back of the depreciating rupee. 

Maruti is capable of building about 17,000 units/month of the Swift from Manesar, and presently the car maker is utilizing under 80 % of this capacity by churning out 14,000 units/month. The lower production may be attributed to the overall slowdown in the Indian car market. Notably, the Swift's diesel variants, which used to command long waiting periods, are now being made available off the shelf at many locations of India.

The shift in the LHD Swift's production will happen from Suzuki's Japanese factories, which used to cater to Middle Eastern, African and Latin American markets. Europe-specific production of the Swift hatchback is expected to continue from Suzuki's Hungarian factory. Notably, rumours about Maruti Suzuki mulling an assembly facility in South Africa began doing rounds a few weeks ago. Click here to read more. 

In India, the Swift is sold in six variants, three each in petrol and diesel spec. The petrol engined model is powered by a 1.2 liter K-Series motor good for 87 PS-113 Nm while the diesel engine is a Fiat Multijet turbo unit that outputs 75 Bhp-190 Nm. Both engine options get a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard. The car's top end variants get twin airbags and ABS+EBD as standard safety features. The Swift is India's best selling B+ hatchback, a status that it has enjoyed for years.