Suzuki PH unveils two new B-segment cars
Suzuki Philippines (SPH) simultaneously launched the new Swift and Dzire models on Wednesday last week at the Mariott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, eyeing a bigger slice from the ever-growing B-segment market.
“As a testament of our commitment to delivering only the best quality products and services, we at Suzuki Philippines are more than happy to finally share with everyone the all-new Dzire and Swift, equipped with the latest of our innovative technology,” SPH Vice President Shuzo Hoshikura said in a statement.
Hohikura added the B-segment remains the largest market for vehicles in the Philippines, and SPH wants to continue the success from the previous generation Swift.
Introduced at the 2018 Manila International Motor Show, the Dzire sports a more unique, more curvaveous figure than its hatchback- derived predecessor, the Swift Dzire. It slots below the Ciaz as the smallest sedan offering.
Its muscular, wider stance is courtesy of its curved front and rear fenders. Pronounced swooping curves and chrome accents give the Dzire an air of elegance, from the hood to the side of the car. A short rear deck gives the Dzire a more compact look for a sedan, following the footsteps of the Swift-derived predecessor. To set it apart from the Swift, the headlights are also uniquely designed, matching the front fascia that is more chic than an in-your-face aggressive looking. The car measures 3,995 mm long, 1,735 mm wide, and 1,515 mm tall. Plastics and silver trim surround the simple interior, from the dashboard to the center console and to the interior door panels. A touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard for the GL+ trim.
Powering the Dzire is a 1.2-liter four cylinder engine with VVT dubbed the K12M, producing 82 hp at 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, mated to a five speed manual or a revolutionary automatic transmission system dubbed the Automated Manual transmission or Auto Gear Shift (AGS), which combines the efficiency of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. It intergrates the transmission actuator and controller as one unit, and is directly mounted into the transmission. The computer-controlled actuator provides seamless manual gearshifts without the need of a clutch pedal.
Suzuki Chief Engineer Masao Kobiri talks about the company’s Auto Gear Shift technology.
“This innovative automatic transmission gives you the ease of shifting as if you were driving a manual transmission, while retaining the qualities of an automatic. The driver can now shift manually with confidence if he so chooses,” Suzuki Chief Engineer Masao Kobori told Fast Times.
Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, ISOFIX child tethers, immobiliser, and security alarm come standard on both GL and GL+ models, while parking sensors are standard on the more upscale GL+ trim.
THE NEW SWIFT
Compared to its predecessor, the new Swift boasts a sportier, more aggressive look than its predecessor, with a lower and wider stance. The car’s blacked out A pillars with dynamic side window treatments – that gives an impression of a floating roof – remain from the previous generation model. Upswept LED headlights give it a fiercer look, with a larger grille that favours more a red accent that runs across it than chrome surround accents. The front fascia design also help mitigate pedestrian impact as well. The rear door handles are located on the C pillar, showing off its rear muscular fenders. Inside, it gets the same plastic and silver trim interior treatment as with the Dzire, but with a touchscreen infotainment system standard on all models. The new Swift also boasts 54 litres more trunk space than its predecessor.
Powering the Swift is the same K12M four cylinder engine found in the Dzire, but mated to either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also gets the same safety systems as the Dzire, but for the GLX trim, it comes added with a parking sensor and a reverse camera. Both cars utilize the new Heartect platform, which allows for stiffer underbody structure and rigidity.
India currently oversees the production of the new Dzire, with the Swift in Thailand. The Dzire starts at P638,000 for the manual GL and P698,000 for the automatic GL+ tri with AGS. The new Swift starts at P755,000 for the manual GL, Php799,000 for the CVT GL, and P899,000 for the rang-topping CVT GLX trim.
Suzuki has ended the first quarter of the year with a sales increase of 21.4 percent, one of the few automakers to do so.
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