Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift was originally marketed in Japan and sold as the Cultus / SA310 until early 1985 when the Swift name was then used for Europe, and the model launched in the UK. In Japan, the Swift name only became used for its domestic market in the late 1990s. It was first launched in 1983 at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show and went head-to-head with the Toyota Starlet and Nissan Micra. The word "Cultus" is Latin and means care or adoration.
Swift was the first Suzuki model to enter a class of car with both larger dimensions and engines than the 'kei' class Fronte model in Japan. Very early models utilised a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with leaf springs for the rear suspension.
Later production Swifts were powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine that was noted by media at the time for its smoothness and good fuel economy. The dashboard was a mix of analogue and digital instruments including a gear selection indicator for the optional three-speed automatic transmission.
In the UK, Suzuki Swift was offered in both three-door and five-door hatchback forms as well as a 1.3GTi three-door model.
