Suzuki Launches 2005 Swift at Paris Motor Show

Complimenting its new duds is a lineup of three redesigned engines. Each engine is small, low-powered, and designed with optimal

Entry-level Swifts receive a 91 horsepower 1.3-liter unit backed by 84 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Suzuki Canada)

economy in mind. Entry-level Swifts receive a 91 horsepower 1.3-liter unit backed by 84 lb-ft of torque. Optional to midrange models and standard on top-of-the-line vehicles is a 102 horsepower 1.5-liter motor, which makes 98 lb-ft of torque. Both inline fours feature a five-speed manual gearbox in standard trim, although the larger of the two engines can be equipped with a four-speed automatic.

The third engine choice is a diesel, the first for a Suzuki car. Credit should be given to Fiat for the 1.3-liter Multijet JTD design, an engine that has already experienced great success in Fiat's own Punto. While there's no word on its future availability in Canada, Suzuki should strongly consider it. The brand is currently an afterthought in the minds of most new car buyers, and the addition of an alternative power source would definitely create enough of a buzz to increase sales of both diesel and

Suzuki has kept tight lipped about an expected performance version, but considering the brand's success in rallying it's inevitable. (Photo: Suzuki Canada)

gasoline-powered Suzukis. Either way, the diesel Swift puts out 70 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of tractable torque. For the first year, at least, the only transmission for Suzuki's oil-burner is the five-speed manual. So far, Suzuki has kept tight lips about an expected performance version, but having seen the brand's success in rallying, a semi-serious 'GT' or 'Sport' model should be along in the not too distant future.

It only makes sense for Suzuki to completely globalize the new Swift in order to save on production costs via economies of scale, therefore the brand's Canadian division will either kill off its GMDAT-built Swift+ or import the two models simultaneously, selling the latter as a more performance-oriented version.