Having been in the market for seven years since its late 2016 debut, the third-generation Suzuki Swift is reaching the typical end of a car's life cycle. As expected, the supermini is gearing up for a transition to its next iteration. To offer a sneak peek, a concept version is being revealed today, with the official unveiling scheduled for the end of the month at the Japan Mobility Show, taking place at Tokyo's Big Sight exhibition venue.
While officially termed a 'concept', the vehicle appears to closely mirror the upcoming production model. It maintains familiar aesthetics but introduces various notable modifications. For instance, the rear door handles have been repositioned from their high, C-pillar location to a more conventional setting. Additionally, the side profile reveals a fixed glass panel in the rear doors, a new element, and a bold character line running from front to back. A "Hybrid" emblem on the front fender and a camera at the base of the side mirrors also draw attention.
The car's front appearance leans more towards a refresh than a complete next-gen transformation. It features a modestly sized grille that houses a top-positioned radar sensor and a lower camera. Interestingly, the Suzuki logo has been relocated to the bumper. The hood appears to have a more rounded contour, and subtle adjustments are evident in the headlight design. Contrary to current trends, the 2024 Swift continues to feature separate fog lights instead of integrating them into the main headlamp unit.
As of now, Suzuki has chosen not to disclose the rear design of the small hatchback; spy photos are all that's available for reference. Based on the camouflage patterns, it appears that the 2024 Swift will sport broader taillights that extend onto the tailgate. The rear will maintain the low-positioned light below the license plate and horizontal red reflectors at the bumper corners. While the concept version for the Japan Mobility Show is designed with a right-hand-drive layout, a left-hand-drive prototype was spotted during European tests.
There are hopes that Suzuki will introduce this B-segment vehicle to the European market, especially considering Ford's discontinuation of the Fiesta. Although Volkswagen Group had considered phasing out models like the Polo, Ibiza, and Fabia due to stringent emissions rules, revised, less strict Euro 7 regulations make this less likely.
The 2023 Japan Mobility Show is set to commence on October 25, beginning with a media-only day.
Source: Suzuki