The Swift continues to be powered by the same set of engines with the same output. The manual transmission too, is the same. The new addition here is the 5-speed AMT, which is available on the V, Z & Z+ variants of both - the petrol- and diesel-powered Swifts. Both the engines retain their inherent characteristics - the petrol being the smooth and relaxed one that charges up as it goes past 4,000rpm and the diesel being the more torquey and fuel efficient of the two that unleashes as the turbo kicks in post 2,000rpm. The manual Swift continues to be an enjoyable car with a light clutch and short-throw gearbox. But it’s the AMT that’s the talk of the town.
The AMT or the AGS, as Maruti Suzuki likes to call it, is finally the gearbox that can manage most of the driving situations on its own whether it is a hill, slope, flat, rough, choc-a-bloc or an open expressway. The shift responses are now quick and it understands throttle inputs better now. The usual AMT headnod accompanied by gearshifts has also reduced with the only exception being upshifting at high revs and downshifting the diesel engine in its peak torque zone. A point worth mentioning here is that the AMT gear lever in the new Swift is one sophisticated looking unit (in terms of design) with short throws.
Performance Comparison (Diesel)
Performance Comparison (Petrol)
Handling and Ride
The new Heartect platform has worked wonders for the new Swift and it now feels more composed than ever while doing triple-digit speeds and taking curves. Although the Swift has shed some weight, it feels more planted than before in both the diesel and petrol avatars. The steering is light and it isn’t the most communicative of units, but it doesn’t feel vague and requires no idle inputs to maintain a straight line. The light steering though will be enjoyable while parking and at city speeds.
What comes as a surprise is that Maruti Suzuki has resorted to a rather firm suspension setup for the third generation Swift. Except when driven over really poor roads, the relatively stiffly sprung Swift feels more confident and very controlled on the road. Over very rough surfaces, you feel the thuds clearly in the cabin. By no means is the ride uncomfortable, but it isn’t as supple as the Baleno either.
