Swift Sport shows its mettle

Just as the Japanese celebrate a new successor to the Emperor's throne, Suzuki unveils what it hopes will be a prince among hot hatches.

Based on the already neatly styled Swift three-door, the Sport has all the requisite hot-hatch addenda in the shape of chunky bumpers with a deeper grille in the front one, 17in alloy wheels, and twin exhaust pipes.

A red and black interior colour combo also says all the right things about this pint-pot GTi.

Aimed at the Citroen C2 VTR, the Swift Sport comes with a 123bhp 1.6-litre engine that sees it from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds and on to 124mph.

Stiffened suspension and a chassis that benefits from Suzuki's experience in the Junior World Rally Championship should keep the keen driver entertained, while electronic stability control is standard as a safeguard.

The Hungarian-built Swift Sport goes on sale in the UK in October with prices expected to come in at £11,500, although we'll have to wait for the Paris motor show for an exact figure.

© Source: original article on topgear