THE SWIFT HISTORY

In the 1979, the Suzuki, a factory very famous for his motorcycles, but not diffused in the automotive market, presents the "Alto", a sub-compact-car modern and with a good comfort (5 doors, a rarity for the period). But also a compact car (of category slightly superior) was in the project phase. This compact car born in the 1983: it's the Suzuki "SA 310", or "Swift" for some foreign markets.

The "SA 310"  had a new engine all-Aluminium, 3 cylinders, SOHC, 993 cc, the engine is only 63 kg heavy. Also a four-cylinder 1.3 was available (SJ-313 version). The car was a new project, but the suspensions system was still the same of the "Alto", with a leaf-spring rear axle; this solution did not give to the "SA-310" the same level of stability of the following series: the car was easy and agile, but "shakes" with a sporty drive (that, initially, was not a task of this quiet car).

In the 1986, the "SA 310" is renewed, and takes the definitive name of "Swift" or "Cultus" in Japan. The car, improved in the front-look and in the dashboard, obtains a good success (but less than others Japanese small-cars, like Daihatsu Charade and Nissan March).

With the '86 version, the engine remains the same, but the first GTI called the "GTi MK1" was introduced. The car have the 1.3 DOHC 16V engine, the power is close to 100 hp and with just 700kg in weight that will make the Swift as one of the best "little beasts" of the worldwide market! Sadly this car was never sold here in Malaysia.

The Suzuki Swift GTi Mk1 

Finally, in the 1989, come the second series and the most famous. The "official" name is SF 413, for the 1.3 versions. Lower and longer than the old series, the new version is totally different regarding the old series. The design, with a streamlined coachwork (Cd 0,32), gives to the new "Swift" a sporty character that makes the car a little "coupe". 

The rear glass, on the GTI, is "united" ideally to the side windows, with the rear door partially painted in black; the headlights are small and wide. Also the dashboard is all new, with the central column oriented to the direction of the driver. The engines are the 1300 GT (DOHC 16V), the 1000 three cylinders, the 1300 16V SOHC, and a 1600 16V SOHC (the 1600 have 92 hp). Also the suspensions are all new, fully Independent Suspensions and anti roll bar for both front and rear. This dramatically improves the handling stability of the car.

In Japan, the car is called "Cultus", and is produced also in a 115 hp version (GT-i), more powerful than the export GTI, and with an optional  4WD transmission...but this version was available only for the Japanese market.

This is the last version of the GTi, the MK3; many design changes are made to the current previous swift but the overall body shape is the same as the previous GTi. The changes include rear taillight and bumper design, different bumper, dashboard; door trims and it adds a little more metal on the chassis. The engine remains the same 100bhp for Swift and 115hp for Cultus.

The Suzuki Cultus GT-i MK3