• Innovative design, progressive styling, and smarter packaging
• Key elements including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, multimedia sat-nav and a variety of advanced safety features
• Suzuki Swift from $16,990 Drive Away

Totally rebuilt and refined from the ground up, the highly anticipated all new Swift has now officially launched in Australia. After much speculation in the lead up, the four available grades are the GL, GL Navigator, GL Navigator with Safety Pack, and GLX.

Short, low, and wide – proportions that tell of a low centre of gravity and muscular form embody the Swift's new powerful presence. Whilst key styling elements such as the wraparound window, vertical headlamps, and solid shoulder lines have remained, Suzuki has introduced stronger fender lines, a higher nose and wider grille for a commanding appearance, blacked-out pillars creating the look of a floating roof, and has improved the overall proportions via reduced height and a longer wheelbase.

Under the hood, the GL offers a 1.2-litre Dualjet engine with the option of 5-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission, with the top-spec GLX flaunting 6-speed auto alongside a newly-developed Boosterjet engine with direct-injection, turbocharging, and downsized displacement, generating higher torque from lower revs.

The key development term used throughout the design of the new Swift was innovation and as a result, Swift Chief Engineer, Mr Masao Kobori, has introduced an exciting new-generation platform and engineered a completely new chassis, body structure, and powertrain.

Tempered on the roads of Europe, the Swift rests on a nimble and agile Heartect platform delivering enhanced vehicle performance through its lightweight and rigid frame. So lightweight in fact, that the new underbody weighs 30kgs less than the one it replaces, fostering lower fuel consumption and better overall vehicle performance.

As an added safety blanket for consumers utilising the new Swift to its full potential - and in addition to ABS, EBD, and BA standard across the range - the top two grades also feature Suzuki's first application of a forward detection system using the combination of a monocular camera and laser sensor attached to the windshield. Further enhancing peace of mind are a lane departure warning function, a weaving alert function and another Suzuki first – high beam assist.

The stylish new interior has been created with driver comfort in mind, the idea being a sportier appearance without compromising the functional aspects of the car. The ultra-sporty dash, racecar-like D-shaped steering wheel, body hugging seats, and driver-angled centre console all combine to create a relaxing and intuitive environment.

Further complementing the swish interior and carrying forward the Suzuki tradition of the latest connectivity at great value prices, the Swift includes a seven-inch touch display multimedia unit with built in sat-nav, reversing camera, and both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, as standard from the entry level GL Navigator.

Suzuki Australia Automobiles Director, Andrew Moore said, "The new Swift has been five years in the making with a lot of that time dedicated to implementing and perfecting systems and features based specifically on what our customers have told us they want. The end result is something that I could not be prouder of, and something that perfectly marries together bold innovation with the Swift DNA we all know and love."

Moore continued, "The new Swift is without doubt the best value light hatch on the market – no one else can provide features like sat nav, reversing camera and alloy wheels in its entry auto; no-one else offers the advanced safety features such as AEB and radar cruise under $20,000".

"With the launch of the new Swift today, I can comfortably say we now present the strongest line-up for compact vehicle customers looking for outstanding reliability and value," Moore stated.

This fresh design coupled with the latest tech, exhilarating turbo performance, and advanced preventative safety features have revolutionised an icon that has already sold more than 132,000 units in Australia and upwards of five million units worldwide. Fasten your seatbelts. We don't see things slowing down any time soon.

Pricing, June 2017: