New Maruti Suzuki Swift: Will the...?

The 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift is all set to make its debut at the Auto Expo. Clearly one of the most popular as well as anticipated launches in India, the third-generation Swift will get a modern design much like the Baleno as well as revised interiors with an updated features list. Most importantly, the new Swift will be based on the same lightweight platform as the Baleno. We have already driven the new Maruti Suzuki Swift and believe it is surely set to be a big success. Read our detailed first drive review of the new Maruti Suzuki Swift here. The most important question about the new Maruti Suzuki Swift is its price, something that we have to wait till the 2018 Auto Expo. However, here are some of the other important questions that you might have on the new Maruti Suzuki Swift.

Will we get the Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport in India?

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport gets body work as well as 17-inch blacked out alloys

We saw Maruti Suzuki launch the Baleno RS post the launch of the Baleno hatch in India. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS came with an all-new 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which makes 102PS/150Nm. This corresponded to an increase of 19PS/35Nm over the 4-cylinder naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine of the regular car. Coming to the Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport, this one will get a more powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Suzuki has had the Swift Sport on sale internationally for quite a while now and the Sport suffix will finally come to India later this year.

Will Maruti Suzuki offer i-Create customization options on the new Swift?

i-Create customization options of the previous Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki launched the accessory customization programme with the Vitara Brezza SUV called the i-Create. While there are numerous accessories available outside a dealership, it is always advisable to fit genuine accessories. The iCreate customisation facility also ensured that your Maruti Suzuki's warranty is not void when you fit accessories. Besides, there's the peace of mind factor knowing that a trained professional is working on your prized possession. We have learnt that Maruti Suzuki will be offering a host of customization options on the new Swift as well considering the fact that the Swift has always been one of the favourites in the aftermarket customization scene.

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has always been one of the most popular cars for customizations. (Image source: Knight)

Will the new Maruti Suzuki Swift get into Indian motorsports?

Dhram Pal Jangra and Abhishek Sultan in the Vitara Brezza, Team Maruti Suzuki Motorsport

Given Maruti Suzuki's active participation in motorsport events like Raid De Himalaya, Dakshin Dare, Desert Storm and other TSD events where we have seen cars like the Vitara Brezza and the S-Cross, we believe the new Swift too will feature in these events. However, it needs to be seen if the 2018 Swift also enters events like the INRC, though it is an idea candidate to do so and will also rival the likes of Volkswagen Polo.

Will the new Maruti Suzuki Swift diesel continue to outsell the petrol?

The petrol 1.2 in the new Maruti Suzuki Swift is one of the sweetest units in the business

The price gap between petrol and diesel have reduced drastically, thereby seeing a rise in sales of petrol models over their diesel counterparts. The new Maruti Suzuki Swift if offered in both, petrol and diesel. The 1.2L motor in the petrol Swift is a smooth, silent and a rev happy unit, which we believe will appeal the driving enthusiasts. The petrol motor also makes more sense for those who don't travel for more than 30-40,000km in a year. Looking at the popularity of petrol models, we believe the petrol Swift too will be a strong seller for Maruti Suzuki in India.

Will hybrid Suzuki Swift come to India?

The 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift is expected to be showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in India

Suzuki unveiled the hybrid Swift last year in variants called the Suzuki Swift Hybrid SG and Suzuki Swift Hybrid SL. Coupled to the 91PS 1.2-litre petrol engine is a 10kW electric motor generator. A 5-speed AMT is mated to this engine. Essentially the motor shuts off the internal combustion engine when it detects that the vehicle is coasting with a relatively lower road and in heavy traffic conditions. The motor has enough juice to allow the Swift to travel for some distance on electric power alone, before the petrol engine takes over. The car comes in two-wheel drive mode and Suzuki claims a fuel efficiency of 32kmpl in the Japanese cycle. Is it coming to India? Given the lax attitude towards hybrids in the GST structure, Maruti Suzuki may not bring it here given the additional cost that it will come with.

Will Suzuki get the new Swift AllGrip Auto four-wheel drive come to India?

The new Swift comes with Suzuki's AllGrip auto four-wheel drive system and is available as an option on the SZ5 model with 1.2-litre engine. Suzuki states that this is a well proven and simple fully automatic and permanent four-wheel drive layout which transfers additional torque to the rear wheels when required via a viscous coupling. Considering the fact that it will be an expensive offering, it is very obvious that Maruti Suzuki might skip this one.

Will the fact that the new Maruti Suzuki is being manufactured at the company's facility in Hansalpur, Gujarat make any difference?

Maruti Suzuki has already announced that is has shifted the production of the new Swift from Haryana to now in Gujarat. The new Swift will be sharing this facility with the premium Baleno hatchback. With this new development, Maruti Suzuki wants to achieve the economies of scale in terms of production planning. The production capacity of 2.5 lakh units is also set to be doubled in 2018-19. While the strong demand for the Maruti Suzuki Swift will demand a higher waiting period, the same will be reduced once the company goes ahead with its plans of increasing production.