Description
The Suzuki Swift (Japanese: ????????, Suzuki Suifuto) is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by Suzuki. The vehicle is classified as a B-segment marque in the European single market, a segment referred to as a supermini in the British Isles. Prior to this, the “Swift” nameplate had been applied and purchased from Swift Engineering (previously known as Swift Cars)[citation needed] to the rebadged Suzuki Cultus in numerous export markets since 1983 and became its own model since 2004. Currently, the Swift is positioned between Ignis and Baleno in Suzuki hatchback global lineup.
The Suzuki Swift Sport is well known for being competitive in rallying, especially under 2.0-liter class. In 2007 and 2010, Per-Gunnar Andersson and Aaron Burkart won the JWRC S1600 rally class and also dominating the top three from 2006 to 2010. In 2009, Luke Pinder won the British Rally Championship R1 class. The Swift Sport also successful in All-Japan Rally Championship (ja), it won in JN1/JN4 class (1.5-2.5 L) from 2016 to 2020. In Italy, Suzuki Swift has been used for Suzuki Rally Cup since 2012 and followed by Rally Italia Talent since 2019.
In 2019, Michael Hopp and Steve Pittman it won the 2019 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour E class, finished at 21st place with 113 laps.
In 2021 (After the 2020 Bathurst 6 Hour was cancelled due to COVID), Ian Cowley, Daniel Natoli & Matt Thewlis finished 2nd 2021 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour Class E and Michael Hopp, Steve McHugh & Michael Rice finished 3rd 2021 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour Class E, a double podium for the TEAM Group Suzuki Racing Team.
They are also used in the British RallyCross, where they form both their own category, and the car, all drivers in the 14 to 17 year old Junior category must use. As of 2022, there are 12 Juniors and 8 Senior Swifts.
