The fifth generation Suzuki Swift has been a great success so far, hence why the automaker intends to re-introduce the commuter as a three-door hatchback for the US market. The prototype of the 2011 Swift model was caught winter testing but the heavy camouflage ensured that nothing conclusive was revealed. Word is that the new four wheeler will bring a Kizashi-inspired grille, distinctive taillights and swept back headlights. Power to the wheels should come from both petrol and diesel options engines. The petrol variants will include a tiny 1.2L and a 1.6L engine producing 125hp at 148Nm of torque. Speculations are ripe about a hybrid model based on the 2009 Swift plug-in hybrid concept but this bit of info still needs a confirmation. [via WCF]

Few years back, no one talked about the Auto Expo New Delhi, but since India is the next big market to automakers, this year’s event has gained a lot of importance. For India MPV is still a rarity and the first of its kind to make its debut as a concept was the Suzuki R3 which was designed in a modest time of nine months. The R3 comes with six individual seats and those seats can be folded away to increase the cargo space. There are no sliding doors to be found and the rearward opening doors making things easier for the passengers. The exterior is boxy and it has a bulky rear portion. At the fascia is a combination of high-intensity lighting with LED accents and the LEDs can also be found at the back. The engine choice is still a mystery but that will gain importance only if Suzuki is keen to take this MPV to the production facility. The prototype has an engine that is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

The new 2011 Suzuki Swift model has been spotted while tested in rain conditions in Germany. The car is still heavily covered to mask its new design, but we managed to get a snitch and other than those new tail lgihts, it looks like the car has been rounded up since its last appearance, which seems to suit it from what can be seen.

Suzuki Swift is sold in various countries around the world, and the engines under the hood vary, with the most appealing model, the 1.6-litre version outputs 125 hp and 148 Nm of torque. The vehicle uses a five-speed transmission system and has a front wheel drive (although an AWD model that’s exclusive for Japan, exists).

On top of these all, after seeing the Swift Plug-in Hybrid Concept, there are some strong rumors going around that the car may be a full production hybrid. Not bad eh? [via WCF]

The finalists for the 2010 South African Snoozefest Car of the year have been announced. The finalists in no particular order of monotony are:

• Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4i Turbo Petrol
• Audi Q5 2.0 T STronic
• Chevy Cruze 1.8 LS
• Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS
• Suzuki Alto 1(!) litre GLS
• Toyota Prius
• VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI 90 kw Comfortline
• Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic

From here on the finalists go on a couple of tests which include high speed dynamic assessment, parking ability, handling and other tests all while monitoring the fuel consumption.

I suppose they will have a proper car to tow some of these babies around to get them to high speed because on their own steam they won’t get there.

Anyway, which one do you think will win and why – leave a comment.

Suzuki’s Alto known as the Maruti Suzuki Alto in India is the highest grossing small car in the sub-continent, and since the company wants to delve furthermore on the success of the Alto they took the wraps off of the new Alto Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Slightly modified on the rear compared to the standard version to accommodate more luggage capacity, Suzuki dubs it as the future of the mini vehicle. On the inside, the interior forms are again a far cry from the standard model with an attractive speedometer, a floor mounted shifter along with user friendly switches and storage spaces. As far as the engine goes, the new Suzuki Alto is powered by a 0.66L three cylinder variant which is mated to a continuous variable transmission (CVT).

The veil has finally been taken off the 2010 Suzuki Mid-Size Kizashi Sedan and you should expect something great coming as the name implies so. The car highlights a blend of European Styling as Japanese quality. Beginning with the appearance it features bold grille, shapely headlights, and a dynamic rear end. Also, there are 18-inch alloy wheels, a short overhang and a dual exhaust to add to the style factor. On the inside (the style loses out a bit for the hint of a design effort is lacking) you find standard sport seats and iPod connectivity. One gets to choose from leather upholstery heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 425 watt Rockford Fosgate audio system. Under the hood is a 2.4L DOHC inline four-cylinder engine which is mated to standard six-speed manual or an optional continuously variable transmission. The combination ensures great fuel efficiency while there are also plans to launch a hybrid model.

Indus Motors Co. Ltd is a Pakistan auto company. Toyota just purchased a 12.5% stake in the company for $53.3 million. Quick mater = makes the company worth about $425 million, right? For someone like Bill Gates, that’s pocket change. Gosh, some sports figures could pony up that much. Can you say Tiger Woods?

Toyota is keen to gain more traction in the subcontinent and this purchase gives them a 25% stake overall in Indus. The stocks were bought from Overseas Pak Investors AG and through a public offer.  I wonder why Toyota didn’t just buy the whole company outright? They surely have the money.

In the meantime…another Japanese car maker, Suzuki, is number one in the area. But, Toyota is coming…Toyota is coming….

India’s Tata Nano will soon be the cheapest (disposable?) car on the market. Suzuki,  not Toyota, not Honda, does the best business of any Japanese car maker, make that any car maker in India.

Suzuki  sells the Splash and Splash VDi Diesel. The Splash will likely replace the R-Wagon and they Hyundai i10. The A-Star will be cheaper than Suzuki’s Swift. The actual price hasn’t been disclosed but the A-Star has been spotted in India.

Suzuki works with another Indian car maker, Maruti, which holds the major market share in India. But…Toyota and Honda are coming.

The Tata Nano will be the cheapest car, to be sure. But, we all know or should know, that you get what you pay for in the end. And, in the end, it’s hard to beat Japanese cars.

Not sure if you knew but Suzuki started a beautiful series of their Kizashi concept in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First they released concept 1, then concept 2 and now in New York they’ve unveiled what could be “a final version” of the Kizashi. In Japanese, Kizashi means prelude and rumors say that the company is working on releasing a sports sedan by 2010 and will have a lot in common with Kizashi 3.

We are not certain about the specs yet, but the market is expecting a 3.6L DOHC V6 engine that will sport 300hp. Waiting for it.

via WCF