New Suzuki Swift: more details
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14th December, 2010
Suzuki Australia has released details of the powertrain
for the all-new Swift range, which goes on sale in Australia during February 2011.
The new Swift will be powered by an all-new 1.4-litre engine offering excellent performance and
excellent economy.
Optimum fuel efficiency was a key driver for engineers and the all-new Swift uses just 5.5 litres per
100 km and produces a low 132 grammes of C02 per km.
That represents a 13 per cent improvement over the old engine and makes it the most economical
naturally aspirated engine in the class.
The all-new K14B engine produces 70 kilowatts of power and 130 Newton-metres of torque.
The undersquare design (73 mm x 82 mm bore x stroke) offers a longer stroke than the superseded M15A
engine and, in combination with Electronic Throttle Control, ensures better launch feel and overtaking
performance.
Suzuki engineers concentrated on weight reduction as part of the new engine development, and the new
K14B comes complete with a lightweight plastic cylinder head cover, lighter pistons and narrower
crankshaft bearings.
Other key features of the new engine include:
- An aluminium alloy cylinder head for low weight and excellent heat radiation
- A centre plug pentroof combustion chamber
- Variable valve timing
- Cross flow intake and exhaust layout, and
- Direct drive valve train for increased rigidity
Electronic throttle control – currently only available on the Swift Sport - will be standard across
the new Swift range, eliminating the mechanical link between the accelerator and the throttle body.
The computer controlled system ensures improved engine management control, superior fuel economy,
better launch feel and more refinement at idle.
The engine is matched to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
The five-speed manual transmission has a new assist mechanism for reduced driver effort, while an
optimised shift-lever pattern further promotes smooth changes. It also features a new mechanism to
prevent accidental shifts from fifth gear to reverse, while a new hydraulic release system in the
clutch further aids smooth, effortless gearchanges.
A revised four-speed automatic transmission is also available with a revised straight shift pattern,
replacing the gated version of the old model. It also comes with a lock-up slip control, offering a
wider lock-up range for improved power and efficiency, while also suppressing torque converter slip at
light acceleration loads. The all-new Swift automatic also features a hill-hold function to ensure
fuss-free launches in hilly urban areas.
Dynamics
• Newly developed steering system for crisper response
• Greater rigidity in front and rear suspension
• More enjoyable, confidence-inspiring braking
• A new evolution of a light, stiff body
The new Swift gives an even stronger sense of agility and improved stability through its newly
refined wide-track, short-wheelbase, increased body and suspension rigidity as well as in greater roll
stiffness.
Extensive use of ultra high tensile strength steel has increased torsional rigidity by 15 per cent,
providing an excellent basis for improved dynamics.
The centre of gravity is slightly lower in the new Swift, while a wider track further aids
stability and handling.
Specially designed low-play joints in the steering-column shaft provide a firmer, more linear
steering feel.
The electric power steering system also has a newly adopted variable-gear-ratio design; a relatively
quick ratio is adopted when the rack is near the centre point to make the car respond quickly at the
start of a turn, while a relatively slow ratio near the steering wheel’s turning limits reduces the
effort required for bigger turns.
As a result, the new Swift responds more faithfully to every steering input from the driver.
The front suspension utilises MacPherson struts/coil springs together with an enhanced stabiliser
lay out which combine to give better roll stiffness without any weight penalties.
The rear suspension utilises a torsion beam with coil springs which incorporates an enhanced
inclination angle for the torsion-beam bushings, this provides 50 per cent more lateral rigidity in the
bush mountings which results in better toe control. A new design structure torsion beam is now used
which is lighter as well as providing greater roll stiffness.
The dynamics upgrade has resulted in the new Swift delivering handling that reflects a newly evolved,
more mature kind of sportiness and inspires even greater confidence in the driver.
Safety
In addition to class leading economy, the new Swift range will add class-leading safety.
Every model in the Swift range will come complete with seven airbags, including side curtain airbags
and driver’s knee airbag.
Combined with standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®), the all-new Swift has already earned
a maximum five star rating from Euro NCAP.
|
Type |
K14B |
M15A |
|
Displacement |
1,372 cc |
1,490 cc |
|
Bore x stroke |
73 x 82 mm |
78 x 78 mm |
|
Compression ratio |
10.0:1 |
9.5:1 |
|
Max power |
70 kW @ 6,000 rpm |
74 kW @ 6,000 rpm |
|
Max torque |
130 Nm @ 4,000 rpm |
133 Nm @ 4,000 rpm |
|
Consumption* |
5.5 L/100 km |
6.3 L/100 km |
|
Emissions |
132 grammes/km |
152 grammes/km |
|
Fuel type |
91RON |
91RON |
* Fuel consumption figures based on ADR 81/02 combined cycle
® ESP is a registered trademark of Daimler AG
| 
