Send a rookie to Sales School and one of the most vital skills to be learnt will be that of pinpointing benefits…the ‘what-it-does-for-you’ attribute, rather than the ‘what-it-is’ feature. The simplest pencil can be produced from wood, filled with graphite and topped by a tiny eraser but it is its convenience, its ability to write readily corrected information and its lightweight transportability that sells its applications and enhances its desirability.
However, some specific benefits, in the case of the pencil, can include a wide range of lead compositions that extend its practicality from note-taking, to artistic competence, via either numerical, or HB scales. The harder the writing core, the lighter will be the mark left on paper; thus an ‘HB’-rated pencil is Hard and Black, while ‘HH’ is extra-hard and long-lasting, and ‘BBB’ is incredibly soft, wears quickly and will require frequent sharpening.
Suzuki is a producer of mainly small cars. It makes really small ones in the form of Celerio, a five-door, practical, front-wheel-drive hatchback that carries four adults with minimal fuss, moderate frugality but surprisingly few compromises. Suzuki also produces the slightly larger Ignis model that introduces significantly greater style and a blend of desirable crossover attributes, with the added bonus of a 4x4 variant.
Yet, the company’s most popular model is the compact Swift, which fits onto a 3.8m long footprint but contains copious space for a driver, front seat passenger and ‘2+1’ rear seat accommodation, while encompassing an ample 265-litres of boot space. As a conventional, front-driven hatch, it is much-admired for its dynamic competence, a proportionately wide track and low centre of gravity that gifts the car a commensurate mix of stability, roadholding and handling that are enhanced by judiciously lightweight but sturdy construction.
In the highest specification ‘SZ5’ trim, the Swift includes the standard features of six airbags, air-con, privacy glass, DAB stereo with Bluetooth connectivity, enhanced by full electric window control, keyless entry and start, LED lamps fore and aft, adaptive cruise, lane-keeping and anti-sway controls and the option of a 4WD transmission known as ALLGRIP. It is a permanent four-wheel-drive layout that operates automatically and apportions engine torque to the rear axle, when required, by means of a viscous coupling.
However, the Swift is not a crossover and lacks the ground clearance, Grip Control and Hill Descent Control functionality of the Ignis model, when specified with 4x4. What it provides and, therefore, activates as benefits to the Swift ALLGRIP buyer is precisely what its model branding proposes: maximum grip at all times. For precisely the reason that Audi sells virtually half of its total UK model line-up in Quattro form, the all-wheel-driven Swift is a safety-enhanced model that provides unerring stability and traction, in exchange for a modest price premium that is exceedingly easy to justify. As such, the Swift ALLGRIP is an unique player in the compact car scene.
Naturally, it helps the selling process that the Swift is also very good looking, complete with its smiling visage, organic styling and broad shoulders that are all features awkward for designers to incorporate within such a compact frame. Its on-road behaviour is exemplary, its driver being afforded a dynamic balance that is not normally the preserve of cars in this class. Due to the flexibility of its running gear, it retains the deliciously quick-steering, well-damped and roll-free progress of the front-wheel-drive car, without betraying its greater contribution resulting from a driven rear axle. It imparts to the driver a confident feeling of tremendous solidity, despite tipping the scales at a meagre 980kgs. It is a very special and subtle small car.
Interestingly, a fairly ‘ordinary’, 1.2-litre four-cylinder DualJet engine powers this version of the Swift, without the 1.0-litre turbo-triple option. Developing a modest 87bhp, it lacks the mid-range verve of the small capacity turbocharged engine but can still be made to perform spiritedly, as long as you rev it. Whisking it over 4,000rpm provides typical multi-valve, normally-aspirated punch and the car will clock the 0-60mph benchmark in a zippy 12.3s, although it does feel slightly quicker than the on-paper suggestion. Its maximum speed is a moderate 112mph, it emits CO2 at a rate of 101g/km and returns an Official Combined fuel economy of 62.8mpg.
The mild hybrid aspect of the Swift lies in its compact 12v lithium-ion battery (that is positioned beneath the front passenger seat), the charge of which is replenished by a belt-driven Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG). This ingenious device provides electric assistance to the engine for bursts of acceleration and also works a noiseless, instant ‘stop:start’ function. The battery is also recharged by means of brake energy, coasting and deceleration harvesting, which places zero strain on the conventional starter that is only ever required for first-time ignition. At all other times, the ISG operates, thus saving considerable wear and tear.
The combination of supportive seats, with an extensive range of adjustment, a well-equipped and stylish dashboard, complete with touchscreen for multi-media, mobile-phone linking and sat-nav, provides immense consumer appeal. An intuitive array of steering wheel mounted minor controls that include a master function over the 4.2-inch digital display between the rev-counter and speedometer, supplement the fun and convenience aspects.
As far as the rest of the car is concerned, as it is in SZ5 trim, the equipment tally is comprehensive and features innumerable items not found on cars of twice the price. The test car looks exceptionally attractive in the optional dual-colour finish, where a platinum grey coats the roof and door mirror housings on a striking electric blue paint finish. Prior to Forces Cars Direct discounts being applied, the Swift 1.2i ALLGRIP SHVS SZ5 costs from £16,984, which is very keen, when you consider the car’s uniquely appealing 4WD system and mild hybrid technology.
