STICKING a sport badge on the back of a car is a sure-fire way to drum up interest.
Suzuki is a master of the art and its latest offering is true to form.
With chunky looks and a low slung body a new version of the Swift Sport will be hitting the road in January.
It is the zippy version of the Swift hatch – itself a neat little number and keenly priced.
However, the Sport is likely to cost around £14,000 - £1,500 more than the current top grade Swift SZ4 – and that puts the new Suzuki in the same territory as the trendy Citroen DS3 and the MINI Cooper.
While the Swift Sport has plenty which is commendable it does not have the same cachet of its European rivals.
The personal treatment which can be meted out by MINI and Citroen in terms of bespoke trim, paint jobs and body decals are not part of the Suzuki armoury.
Neither is the pin sharp handling and power from a turbocharged engine which make the others such special little cars.
Suzuki has found itself between a rock and a hard place with its new baby.
The previous Swift Sport was aimed more at the enthusiast than mainstream and while being great fun to drive it had limited appeal.
The newcomer has wider horizons and almost by default has lost the zest which was such a characteristic of its predecessor.
Sport should mean sharp handling, firm suspension and a rewarding note from the exhaust – not to mention added power.
On paper the new Swift has the extra grunt but it is also very refined. If that’s what the modern buyer wants, its job done but this is not like the Sport of old.
Acceleration is 8.7 seconds 0 to 60, top speed 121mph but more importantly the 1.6-litre engine in the Swift Sport is some 10 per cent more economical averaging 44 to the gallon with emissions down to 147g/km.
Certainly it is quicker and more efficient than before but it has lost some bite.
What the Swift Sport has gained is quietness while cruising and a sixth gear which is very long legged.
The suspension is more compliant and composed and there is nothing wrong with the handling or the precise feel from the electric power steering, which is one of the better systems out there at the moment.
Inside, the Sport is well finished. The dash has some quality to it and the major dials have a chiselled bezel resembling a chronograph.
There a sports seats with added support but available only with fabric upholstery while room in the back is what you would expect from a three-door hatch – tight with small windows.
Boot space ranges from 211 to 512 litres which with two on board is fine and no different to the regular Swift.
In terms of street-cred the Sport fares well.
Twin exhausts, a rear spoiler, 17-inch alloys, an aggressive nose with a deep double grille and huge cut outs around the fog lamps plus darkened rear windows give it plenty of presence – and it does look the part.
Cruise control, air conditioning, Bluetooth and music ports are also standard.
Think of the Sport more of a high specification flagship for the Swift range and you won’t be far off the mark.
It is a snazzy all-rounder with mean looks and easy to drive – hot hatch fans and auto fashion freaks should look elsewhere.