Swift: A car beyond infinity

Hello there!

If you ask what is the best car in India that Suzuki has ever created? Some of your might say the Alto Zen or even the 800.

But it was the Swift that actually changed the brand. 15 years of this car, three generation changes, no matter what people still love this car and my family and I are one of those lucky people to have owned such an extraordinary automobile.

One look at that from the outside and inside and you always question yourself how did Maruti Suzuki ever manage to create a car like this with no cramped cabin, good features like a factory made stereo, airbags and alloy wheels. Making this car, Maruti did not take a small step, they leaped to a whole new league of creating cars like never before.

But let's begin where it all started at the Geneva motor show where Maruti made an impeccably built Concept 'S'. The success of the Honda City sparked Maruti to take such decisions. Other car makers like Hyundai and Ford with their cars 'Getz' and the 'Fusion' respectively tried massively to get the audience towards their brand but they could not. This was the first car for Suzuki in terms of making a premium hatchback but there was some issues like the boot was very tiny, but in those days it wasn't a deal breaker. Plus where the Maruti had the upper hand in terms of engines was the fuel economy. At that time Hyundai engines were not doing great in terms of the mileage.

Sophisticated methods were done in terms of conserving fuel. The main part what customers loved about the swift was it 'go kart' like handling the suspension apart from being slightly raised  was in tune to keep the 'global car' body feel, the steering also used here was an expensive power steering which improve road feel and formations for suspensions at the end of each wheel were such that bumps could not be made itself felt in the cabin. Even after use 15 years the first generation Swift feels so special to drive

In 2005 Maruti launched the swift in India. Interest in this car was huge plus the starting price at that time around 3.87 lakh for the LXi it was on target too. With VXi and LXI costing rupees 4.5 lakh rupees 4.85 lakh respectively the loaded ZXi was placed below the price of Honda City making buyers think of their car buying choice

Fun fact: The swift initially was actually going to be named the Zen. 

Another area where swift actually excelled was in terms of safety by having ABS which the Honda City didn't have.

Also in abroad markets Suzuki also launched the Swift Sport :a two door version along with a turbocharged engine. Wish it launched  here in India too.

Also plans to launch convertible was on the cards too. Unfortunately the plan for the convertible was shelved

Today after 15 years, Swift is now a brand of its own. Maruti sold an impressive 2 million plus cars over 3 generations. Never miss an opportunity to drive one if you've never owned one.