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As part of an upgrade of the award-winning Swift range, ESP is now a standard
feature on Swift Sport.
“Suzuki is committed to providing the highest levels of safety to its
customers,” said Suzuki Australia Automotive General Manager Tony Devers.
“We have stayed true to the Suzuki philosophy of fantastic value for money by
including ESP on the Swift Sport without adding to the price.”
The inclusion of ESP bolsters an impressive list of safety features including
driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags
and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).
“ESP headlines the next generation of vehicle safety systems, by actively
intervening when it detects the vehicle is heading out of control and correcting
the situation,” said Devers.
“Every driver is confronted at some time with critical driving situations
such as a truck losing part of its load in front of you or slippery surfaces
after heavy rainfall. Even at moderate speeds these situations can lead to the
driver losing control. “ESP prevents possible skidding from the start, by
instantaneous interventions of the brakes and engine management.” Devers
explained the ESP system on the Swift Sport utilised the ABS sensors already
incorporated into the Swift range, and added a steering angle and lateral
acceleration sensor.
The system monitors each sensor every 25 milliseconds, keeping a watchful eye
on the angle of the steering wheel and the lateral movement of the car.
When ESP recognises the vehicle is threatening to skid off course, it
selectively applies braking pressure at each wheel and – if necessary – limits
power delivery to ‘steer’ the vehicle into the desired direction.
“For example, if you were driving on a highway in winter and encountered a
patch of black ice, ESP would immediately detect if the car was starting to
slide off course and brake the opposite wheel to bring the car back into line.”
Devers said the addition of ESP to the range-topping Sport version
spearheaded a series of upgrades for the highly popular Swift line-up.
The Swift and Swift S models receive a redesigned front grille, front and
rear bumpers and rear lamps, a new aluminum wheel and a new rear seat now
featuring a single-fold design incorporating a portable luggage board making it
possible to create a flat rear storage area.
Two new colours will also become available – Ocean Blue and Nocturne Blue –
and the upgrade also includes a new fabric seat upholstery.
A new television commercial will herald the updated Swift range, going to air
nationally on July 1.
The TVC incorporates themes of Suzuki’s championship-leading Junior World
Rally Championship Swift Super 1600, and the chance to transform every drive
into a rally drive.
The Suzuki Swift has dominated the opening three rounds of the 2007 JWRC
season, winning each round including a clean sweep of every stage of the
Portugal Rally.
Suzuki has confirmed it will also enter the WRC in 2008, with an all-new
rally car based on the SX4 hatch.
Pricing:
Swift 5-speed manual
$15,990
Swift
4-speed auto
$17,990
Swift
S 5-speed manual $17,990
Swift S 4-speed auto
$19,990
Swift
Sport
$23,990
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