AN economical 1.2-litre petrol engine is being introduced by Suzuki in its new Swift supermini.
The new engine will replace the 1.3-litre which powers the current car and is said to be capable of delivering average fuel consumption of 56.5mpg – an improvement of almost eight miles per gallon.
Although smaller in capacity, it produces more power at 94PS and CO2 emissions are down to 116g/km – a reduction of 24g/km or 17 per cent.
The new Swift, which will be built at Suzuki’s factory in Hungary, is due on sale in the autumn.
Suzuki says the car is built from high tensile steel which makes the body stronger and lighter.
The car is some four inches longer than the current model although height and width are similar.
At launch the Swift will be available with manual and automatic gearboxes.
A 1.3-litre diesel is due to go on sale early in 2011 with emissions down to 109g/km and fuel economy of 67.3mpg.
Exact performance figures and pricing are still to be announced by Suzuki. The present Swift, which went on sale in 2005, is priced from £9,395.