- Maruti Suzuki Swift
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The new Maruti Suzuki Swift was launched on 17 August 2011.[1] The earlier version of Maruti Swift of the supermini (or subcompact) variant was produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. It was launched globally in 2005.
Introduction
Maruti Suzuki India limited (MSIL) is a result of the collaboration between Japan’s 3rd largest car manufacturer Suzuki and Maruti Udyog Limited as it was formerly known. It is Suzuki’s largest subsidiary[2]
Nature of the company
Maruti Suzuki India limited is a public limited company listed on both the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited as well as on the National Stock Exchange Limited. It is India’s leading manufacturer of passenger cars making up almost 54% of the total sales in the market.
As per the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Maruti Suzuki India Limited sold 2,82,448 cars between April–July 2011 out of a total of 5,92,405 units totally sold in the market. This represents 47.68 per cent of the market share[3]
The same time period in the previous year they enjoyed a 53.13 per cent market share where out of 4,40,069 units sold 2,33,811 were MSIL cars[4]
Maruti Swift
The Maruti Suzuki Swift was unveiled to Indian markets in 2005. The Swift was Maruti’s first ‘global car’ which was launched across Europe prior to being launched in India. Around 25 engineers from Maruti joined hands with their Japanese counterparts Suzuki, to give birth to the Swift[5]
The Maruti Suzuki Swift has four petrol variants and three diesel ones, all of which are powered with a five speed manual transmission gear box. The petrol version uses a 1.2litre or a 1.3litre (discontinued post 2008) K-series engine. The diesel or DDIS version is fitted with a 1.3litre engine equipped with a combination of a turbo charger and intercooler along with a five-step multi injection common rail system[6]
- 1,197cc 16V DOHC petrol engine, rated at 63 kW (85 bhp) and 113 newton metres (83 lb•ft).
- 1,248cc 16V DOHC diesel engine, rated at 56 kW (75 bhp) and 190 newton metres (140 lb•ft)
The Maruti Suzuki Swift 2011
The all new Maruti Swift[7] was launched on 17 August 2011; some improvements in the new Swift are:[8]
- All variants have Maruti Suzuki’s patented k-series engines.
- A hydraulic engine mount is installed in every swift which aims at reducing engine noise.
- All petrol variants have VVT technology in their engines
- The diesel engines have adopted DDIS technology ( diesel direct injection system)
- The new Swift has a next generation RBSS (rally based suspension system)
- Turning radius of 4.8 meters makes maneuverability easier.
- DPT (dent pin technology) aims to reduce friction in gears
- Floating roof for improved aerodynamics.
- All variants have the facility of tilt steering.
- The new swift also has EDC (engine drag control) which is a next generation ABS braking system.
- The new swift has improved cabin insulation for noise reduction.
- A T-shaped dashboard with waterfall centre console has been added to the interiors.
- The ZXi / ZDi variants have automatic climate control, dual srs airbags, 185/65 R15 Alloy Wheels, ORVM side turn indicator and DSP(digital signal processing) this basically keeps in mind the level of noise outside the car and in accordance automatically increases or reduces the volume of the music playing inside the car
The Maruti Swift Evolution
- 1999 – Inspired from The Suzuki Hayabusa 1300R, the world's fastest super bike.
- 2001 – It was then molded into the GSX R4, a concept car
- 2002 – From the GSX R4 came into existence the concept S, which was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
- 2003 – The Concept S gave way for Concept S2 an open top convertible
- Nov. 2004—Swift goes on market in Japan as Suzuki’s first world ‘global car’.
- 2005 – The first Maruti Suzuki Swift was unveiled on 25 May 2005
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- Feb. 2005 Production begins in Hungary.
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- May 2005 Production begins in India.
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- Jun. 2005 Production begins in China.
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- Sep. 2005 Swift Sport goes on market in Japan.
- 2007 – Launch of Swift Diesel with DDIS engine
- 2008 – The next swift was revealed
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- Jun. 2008 -- Cumulative worldwide production reaches one million units.
- 2010 – Launch of the Swift K-series
- Jan. 2011—Cumulative worldwide sales reach two million units.
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- 17th August 2011- The all new Maruti Suzuki Swift is launched.
Countries of Existence
The concept behind the Suzuki Swift initially was for it to be a global car which would be manufactured and produced in countries all across the world. Though initial production took place in only Japan. it was eventually launched in countries like India, Hungary and China and today driven in over 124 countries all across the world. Swift has sold over two million units of which 15 per cent are in Japan, 39 per cent in India and 27 per cent in Europe. However, it should always be kept in mind that the specifications of the Suzuki Swift's produced across Europe are very different from the Maruti Suzuki Swift produced in India.
Concept Cars
G-concept
The G-concept was initiated by Suzuki to show their support towards the growing concern of environmental friendliness. This concept worked around three major things or the three R’s: reduce, re-use and recycle. This concept gave birth to a Swift Range Extender which runs on electricity. The G-concept car works on a battery which when fully charged can go a distance of 15km without any problem. However for backup there is a 660cc engine also. A car like this is a part of the hybrid car segment which most car manufacturers are now looking to tap considering the growing concern for our environment[10]
S-Concept
The Suzuki Swift S-concept was first seen at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show. A 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine along with a six-speed manual transmission gearbox powered this car. The S-Concept is 177mm (6.97 inches) longer than the current MINI Cooper S, it is wider and even taller. However the wheelbase is 36mm less than the MINI Cooper S. The car now features new headlights, rear lighting clusters, 18-inch wheels, bucket seats and carbon fiber trim[11]
Awards Won by Swift Internationally
- Suzuki Swift wins 2006 RJC Car of the Year Award and 2005–2006 Car of the Year Japan “Most Fun” award.
- In Nov. 2010 New Swift wins 2011 RJC Car of the Year Award[12]
- Autocar ASEAN Car of the Year 2005-2006 Awards Winner – Small Sedan/Hatchback Category[13]
World Record held by Maruti Suzuki Swift
On 31 May 2010, Maruti Suzuki India Limited entered the Guinness Book of World Records by bringing together 342 swift’s at a car parade in Gurgaon[14]
There were similar car parades held in cities like Mumbai however they did not achieve any record.
References
- ^ CarWale Team (August 16, 2011). "Maruti Suzuki to launch the new Swift on 17th August, we drive it". CarWale.com India. http://www.carwale.com/news/7861-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-the-new-swift-on-17th-august-we-drive-it.html.
- ^ maruti suzuki india limited. "knowing maruti suzuki". maruti suzuki india limited. http://www.marutisuzuki.com/corporate.aspx.
- ^ rediff.com (9, august 2010). "Maruti's market share still below 50%". rediff.com. http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/aug/09/auto-marutis-market-share-below-50-pc.htm.
- ^ Jayashankar Menon (12 months ago). "Maruti Suzuki Unveils Five CNG Model Cars In India". Sulekha.com. http://automotivehorizon.sulekha.com/maruti-suzuki-unveils-five-cng-model-cars-in-india_newsitem_522.
- ^ hiSandeep Jos (25 May 2005). "Maruti Swift makes history". thehindu.com. http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/25/stories/2005052503591600.htm.
- ^ yousaytoo.com (5 months ago). "Maruti Suzuki Swift: an Indian Swift". yousaytoo.com. http://www.yousaytoo.com/maruti-suzuki-swift-an-indian-swift/681129.
- ^ maruti suzuki india limited. "Maruti Swift". maruti suzuki india limited. http://www.marutiswift.com/lowbandsite.
- ^ reviewspeaks.com. "10 Reasons To Buy Maruti Swift 2011 New Model Over Old Swift". reviewspeaks.com. http://reviewspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/04/10-reasons-to-buy-maruti-swift-2011-new.html.
- ^ wordpress. "Evolution of Maruti Suzuki Swift". www.rmdc.org. http://www.rmrdc.org/28-Suzuki-Car.html.
- ^ www.goyangkarawang.net (28, July 2011). "Suzuki Swift Range Extender and the Concept-G". best car reviews. http://www.goyangkarawang.net/2011/07/suzuki-swift-range-extender-and-concept.html.
- ^ autocar india limited. "Suzuki Swift S-Concept Revealed". autocar india limited. http://www.autocarindia.com/news/suzuki-swift-s-concept-revealed.
- ^ suzuki motor corporation (18, November 2010). "New Swift wins 2011 RJC Car of the Year award". suzuki motor corporation. http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2010/1118.html.
- ^ suzuki malaysia automobile. "Featured Awards". suzuki malaysia automobile. http://www.suzuki.net.my/awards/Awards.aspx.
- ^ the hindu (30, May 2010). "Maruti Swift drives into Guinness records". thehindu.com. http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/Motoring/article441976.ece.
External links
Categories:- Suzuki vehicles
- Vehicles introduced in 2011
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