Suzuki Swift Hybrid coming soon

Suzuki Australia is preparing to jump on the hybrid bandwagon, with the local boss of the Japanese brand revealing to carsales that it’s close to confirming its first petrol-electric model: the Suzuki Swift Hybrid.

Unlike series/parallel hybrid powertrains such as those employed by Toyota, Suzuki’s first foray is a mild-hybrid system and has been available with the Swift in overseas markets such the UK for a couple of years – and in New Zealand since mid-2020.

The recently updated powertrain combines a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine (61kW/107Nm) with a small integrated starter motor (ISG) that can generate up to 50Nm of extra torque to assist the car during take-off and heavy acceleration.

The idea is to reduce the burden on the petrol engine with an electric boost, thus lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The ISG hooks up to a small 12-volt lithium-ion battery, and while the system doesn’t have enough juice to deliver pure-electric driving like some plug-less hybrids – the Toyota Yaris, for example – Suzuki claims it’s around 15 per cent more efficient than the regular models.

Asked if the Swift hybrid was still on the cards for the Aussie market, Suzuki Australia general manager of automotive, Michael Pachota, confirmed it will be here soon.

“Suzuki Australia is aggressively pushing for the introduction of hybrid platforms that are available globally into Australia and we’re getting very close to finalising our request that will see, not only the introduction of a hybrid platform for Swift, but other models across the range as well,” he said.

“The hybrid movement has flared up in recent years across Australia where some brands have experienced huge growth in hybrid model sales.”

While the Suzuki Swift Hybrid will be first out, the Suzuki S-Cross and Vitara are also available overseas with similar mild-hybrid tech.

According to New Zealand market specifications, the Suzuki Swift Hybrid has a fuel consumption rating of 4.1L/100km, below the regular Swift’s 4.8L/100km (which has the same rating in Australia) using a conventional 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine.

This is despite the second battery and ISG adding 25kg to the kerb weight.

Boot space and rear seat room is not affected by the hybrid system, and the same CVT transmission/front-drive layout for the Swift is retained.

The hybrid Swift is said to do its best work in stop-start commuter traffic and in urban environments where the ISG controls the engine’s idle-stop and start system.

Pachota was unable to provide local launch timing for the Swift hybrid, and wouldn’t be drawn on the price premium that will be slapped on compared to the regular range, which is currently priced between $18,990 for the GL Navigator and $26,990 for the Sport, not including on-road costs.