By ALISTAIR KENNEDY 
25 September 2006

After a number of years off the Australian scene, the Suzuki Swift returned to our shores in mid-2005 and was an instant hit both with people who were attracted to its neat, contemporary styling as well as enthusiast drivers who appreciated its near-European standards of handling and body rigidity.

Almost immediately the latter group began asking when the GTi version would be arriving. One of the cult cars of the 1990s, the Swift GTi was a pocket-rocket that gained the greatest praise that can be handed out by hot small-car lovers - being dubbed "a modern day Mini Cooper S". Its combination of agile handling and good performance delighted all who drove it. And, best of all, it was affordable.

The good news is that the performance version of the Swift has now arrived. We get the feeling that Suzuki Australia would have love to have called the car GTi, however the company’s Japanese head office insisted on the global name of Swift Sport being used. And, at just $23,990, it’s certainly affordable.

Externally Swift Sport can be distinguished from the standard Swift model by new front and rear bumpers, splash guards, large lower grille front air dam, rear spoiler and twin exhaust pipes. The rear combination lamps are also new with the reversing lights separated from the other light clusters. Inside there’s a metal theme to the pedals as well as a leather trimmed steering wheel.

Swift Sport is powered by a high-revving 1.6-litre VVT engine with maximum power of 92kW at 6800 rpm and peak torque of 148Nm at 4800 revs. The standard Swift has a 1.5-litre, 75kW, 133Nm unit.

As befits a performance car the Sport comes only with a manual gearbox. It’s a five-speed unit with enhanced shift linkages for fast gear changes. While the lower gear ratios are ideal for hunting the car around corners, on the open road the little Suzuki high revs at cruising speed are a bit annoying. We understand that Suzuki’s six-speed ‘box couldn’t be fitted to the current Sport but is likely to come with its eventual replacement.

Body rigidity has been increased with additional rear floor bracing and it has stiffer suspension, including Monroe shock absorbers, for the firm ride required of a car of this type. Sport has discs all round, ventilated at the front.

As well as a short road drive we were able to test the Sport at the Sutton Road Driving Centre near Canberra on both the skidpan and on that centre’s tight, undulating road circuit. The little car was a delight to drive with near perfect balance, nimble handling and plenty of grip.

Standard features in the hot Swift include dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), front sports seats, dual exhaust pipes, 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, MP3-compatible CD player and steering wheel audio controls. But be aware that it does not have a spare tyre, only a puncture sealant kit.

The Suzuki Swift Sport goes on sale on 30 September. The combination of its GTi heritage, great looks and bargain price suggest that it will be a winner.