2011 Suzuki Swift: USA Or No Way?
Published: June 22nd, 2010
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The 2011 Suzuki Swift has debuted in Europe, and though it looks a lot like its predecessor, Suzuki says it might, maybe, just possibly come to the US this time around. Will they wait for a plug-in version? Will they give it more power than the Euro-market 92 horsepower 1.2 liter? Will the Kia Soul know what hit it? Tell us how Suzuki should bring this car to the US (if at all), and we’ll promise not to make any 18th Century literary references… for now.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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I'd buy one! But I already own an SX4, so maybe I'm biased. It's a solid, fun-to-drive little car, and I have no complaints about it. Of course, $5000 off and 0% financing also factored into my purchase decision. I didn't realize the dealer situation was so bad. I'm in Buffalo, NY and there are 3 dealers close by. It's surprising to hear that places like LA and Richmond, VA don't have any dealers in the area.
A K20 Fit won't work. Sure, it'll fit, but packaging will be too tight for OEM reliability and maintainability. Maybe an R20 Fit would do (narrower engine, would still have about 150 hp)... shoehorn the rear multi-link from the Civic under its skirts (though it's not really an impressive multi-link system, to be honest). A Fit with CR-Z spec steering and stiffer dampers would be the bee's knees... but I don't see that happening any time soon. The Swift's packaging precludes anything bigger than the current 1.6 (which actually gets 125 hp, not the 120 I mentioned earlier, forgetful me). But it does have a JWRC version that's turbocharged, so it's remotely possible they could offer a road-going turbo version like Mini does.