Suzuki New Zealand has announced a series of updates for its flagship electrified Swift; the RS.
The mild-hybrid hatch gains new safety technology and more premium trim aspects, relative to the entry-level GLX and the Swift Limited Hybrid; the latter having been phased out of the line-up.
The RS is priced from $30,990, and is eligible for a $3160.52 Clean Car Discount rebate. This is the largest rebate offered with any Suzuki model.
It’s also available in two-tone form, for $31,500.
The RS comes with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep function, lane departure warning, weaving alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and more.
It also gets disc brakes on all corners, and dual sensor brake support. The latter makes use of a camera that enables pedestrian detection.
The RS’ elevated spec echoes that of the pure combustion RS. The wing mirrors come with integrated indicators and can be folded electronically. There’s climate control, paddle shifters, and silver detailing in the dashboard.
Under the bonnet sits a familiar 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine mated to Suzuki’s SHVS hybrid system and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The battery and integrated starter motor act as a generator, aiding in making the car’s regenerating rate more efficient while running some of its electrics.
Suzuki states that the model boasts an economy rating of 4.1L/100km combined, meaning it can travel up to 900km per tank of fuel (100km more than the dedicated petrol models).
Suzuki New Zealand notes that the Swift’s popularity has grown in 2022. It says that it has sold 14% more Swifts year-to-date than in the equivalent period in 2021. The company notes that the passenger vehicle segment has grown by 4.5% in the same period.
