2017 Suzuki Swift global unveiling on December 27

A few months ago, a set of leaked computer-generated renderings of the Suzuki Swift Sport surfaced online, giving a cue to what the new-generation Swift (codenamed YSD) would look like.

Now the first clear image of the front of the regular production car is out, and it's quite something. The new Swift will see a global unveil in Japan on December 27, 2016. 

While Suzuki has managed to keep the identity of the Swift intact, this clearly is a Swift. However, the new car also looks quite different from the current car, whose styling was much more evolutionary. While the clamshell-like bonnet and the headlights help retain the car’s identity, there are plenty of new bits like the Audi-like ‘floating’ grille, which even gets a similar chrome garnish. Alongside, there are deep fog light recesses under the headlights, which also look like they could have a flow through and form an aerodynamic ‘air-curtain’ around the wheels. The new Swift, as has been the case with the previous two generations, also gets blacked-out A and B pillars and a floating roof. The rear door handle is now hidden as it is now tucked away into the window frame.

Similar size but lighter

Importantly to keep the Swift from encroaching into the Maruti Baleno’s territory (with which it shares its platform), the next-gen car will be about the same size as the current one. Since it is smaller, it could be even lighter than the 890kg Baleno. Weight reduction in the new platform has been created by using simple smooth-flowing shapes. Done to help share the load, the new platform as a result has no need for heavy reinforcements. Overall rigidity as a result is now 10 percent higher than the earlier platform. The weight, however, is 15 percent lower, which positively impacts both performance and fuel economy.

The new Swift’s interiors will be sportier than before. Pictures of the test car from our sister publication Autocar UK reveal a sporty and minimalist dashboard, a new upmarket steering wheel, and a sporty two-pod instrument cluster. However, the India-bound model is expected to get a unique interior, which it will share with the next-gen Swift Dzire. Fully-loaded variants are expected to get a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink compatibility, as in the Baleno and Vitara Brezza.

The new Swift is likely to carry forward the current model’s 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines. It could also get a new 1.5-litre diesel developed in-house by Maruti, and the 1.0-litre BoosterJet turbo-petrol engine which will debut in the upcoming Baleno RS in February 2017.

High-performance Swift Sport in the works

A high-performance Swift Sport model is also expected to be under development with the car slated to make its international debut late 2017. The Sport is likely to use an upgraded version of the 140hp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine currently seen in the Vitara for international markets.

Company sources tell us that Maruti Suzuki has currently begun testing the next-generation Swift and the Dzire in India.

Related: The Swift milestones