Tokyo '09: Suzuki Showcases Swift Plug in-Hybrid and SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle

At the Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki exhibited its latest 'green' concept studies for the future including a Swift with Plug-in Hybrid and an SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV). The hybrid version of the Swift is a supermini aimed at city dwellers that travel around 20 km (about 13 miles) a day and has been designed to be driven primarily on electric power.

It is equipped with 600cc engine that is used to charge a lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor if capacity level drops. The batter can also be charged through any domestic plug socket.

Suzuki did not release any performance or fuel economy figures nor did it say if it intends to produce the Swift Plug-in Hybrid in the future.

The other 'green' study on display at Suzuki's Tokyo Motor Show booth is the is the SX4 FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) which combines a General Motors-sourced high performance fuel cell with a Suzuki developed high pressure hydrogen tank and a compact capacitor that is used to recover energy during braking and using it to reduce fuel cell loading under acceleration.

The SX4 FCV is currently under test on public roads in Japan as Suzuki plans to to commercialize the car in the near future.

Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid

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Suzuki SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle

New Special Edition Suzuki Swift SZ-L, Production Limited to 500 Units

Suzuki is enhancing its UK line-up with the introduction of a special edition model to the Swift range called the SZ-L. Based on the five-door model with the 1.3-liter petrol engine, the SZ-L gets a higher level of standard equipment that includes air conditioning, pearlescent or metallic paint, 15-inch alloy wheels, electrically retractable exterior mirrors, side protection mouldings, specific floor mats and chrome finish for the exterior door handles, front grille and rear tailgate trim.

Furthermore, chrome bezels are added to the instrument gauges while the door trims and audio surround have aluminum effect detailing.

Suzuki offers the special edition Swift in four colors, Cool White Pearl, Cosmic Black Pearl, Supreme Red Pearl and Silky Silver metallic. The Swift SZ-L will be produced in a limited run of 500 units with prices set at £10,250.

Suzuki Swift Sport “N’Style Rally” Edition

Suzuki of Germany is no stranger to special edition models. Their latest creation is based on the Swift Sport and it pays a tribute to the Japanese carmaker’s “Group N” Junior Championship Rally car – hence the name “N’Style Rally”. Available in a limited run of 500 units at €17,900 a piece, the Swift Sport “N’Style Rally” is offered exclusively in black and is covered with Suzuki Motorsport’s logos and decals, but that’s about all.

There are no mechanical upgrades as the “N’Style Rally” retains the Swift Sport’s 125Hp 1.6-liter engine. Optionally, buyers can equip the “N’Style Rally” with a light bodykit (pictured above) that includes a front lip spoiler, fog-light covers, new side skirts and a rear spoiler. -More pics after the jump

Suzuki Swift Global Production Exceeds 1,000,000 Units

In less than four years after it first entered the market, production of Suzuki’s current generation Swift has surpassed the one million mark. Despite the fact that the Swift’s development was focused on the demands and tastes of the European market in terms of design and driving characteristics, Suzuki’s mini car is a global minicar in outlook and production. The Swift was first built in Japan, followed by Hungary, China, India and more recently Indonesia and Malaysia. Vehicles sold in Europe are built at Suzuki’s plant in Hungary which has so far pushed out more than 306,000 units.