Suzuki describes the Project Splash that debuted in Paris as a “car for everyone” that is both fun to drive and fun to use. Project Splash follows the new Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 that have already entered the market and Suzuki indicates that its debut as a “clinic model” is the first step toward possible production.
Based on the idea that one car can fill the needs of everybody in the family, Suzuki feels that Project Splash offers attributes that will meet the expectations of all drivers regardless of lifestyle, age, and gender in driving situations ranging from relatively short shopping trips to cross-country excursions.
The exterior design features sharp lines and bold contours, while chrome accents give the body a sporty, emotionally appealing look. From the front, Project Splash is bold with a large grille and long, thin, slanted LED headlights.
A panoramic glass roof creates an open feel and blends into the side glass and windscreen. Chrome trim on the A-pillar and roof seems to float in the middle of the glass, complemented by chrome side mouldings. Side mirrors include indicators and rear-view cameras.
The wheel arches are flared with the wheels pushed to the far corners for a sporty stance. At the rear, the wheel arches blend into the rear bumper which includes dual exhaust outlets. The LED rear combination lamps are vertical at the upper corners and wrap around the lower side of the rear glass.
The interior is focused on fun and practical ease of use, with a blue colour scheme. The blue facia houses a single large blue-coloured speedometer with an information display in the centre of the speedometer that includes shift position, fuel gauge, clock, odometer, average fuel consumption and driving range. A metallic centre console includes a large display screen for navigation, rear-view cameras, audio, and climate-control.
The Swift Sport is the flagship model of the new Swift which went on sale last September in Japan and debuted at Paris in European Spec for the European market.
As with the standard new Swift and the new SX4 crossover vehicle, Suzuki honed the Swift Sport’s accelerating, cornering, and braking performance using technological know-how gained in the Junior World Rally Championship. Since launching the Japanese-specification Swift Sport in September last year, they have been adjusting the performance and chassis tuning for the European market. As a result, the European-specification Swift Sport allows confident, stress-free high-speed driving in just about any typical European road conditions.
At the same time, the Swift Sport incorporates sporty new design features and a range of innovations for day-to-day comfort and convenience. The sport-tuned suspension features Monroe sport shocks and 16-inch alloy wheels are standard with 17-inch alloy wheels available as an option. The new electronically-controlled power steering has been tuned to provide a good balance between steering effort and steering feedback. Electronic-Stability Program (ESP), ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and large 4-wheel disc brakes are all standard.
Swift Sport is powered Suzuki’s M16A 16-valve 4-cylinder producing 123bhp at 6,800 rpm and maximum torque of 148 Nm at 4,800 rpm. The intake and exhaust are tuned for high rpm and include an aluminium intake manifold, electronically-controlled throttle and high-capacity sport exhaust. The 5-speed close-ratio manual transmission has been strengthened and includes a larger clutch.
The interior features a red-and-black colour scheme with sport seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, metal trim and stainless steel pedals.
