Automotive

Suzuki Swift a Fresh Choice

Published

13 years ago

March 5, 2012

Bchcomber

The Suzuki Swift _ Thailand's latest Ecocar _ has some nice attributes over the Honda Brio and Nissan March

CHIANGRAI TIMES – Suzuki really did it the easy way for its Ecocar project in Thailand. Instead of developing an all-new model and launching it in Thailand first, the Japanese car maker merely took the latest generation Swift _ sold in Japan and Europe for more than a year already _ and presented it as a rival for the Honda Brio, Nissan March and Mitsubishi’s pending Mirage.

Due to hit showrooms on March 22, the new Swift also serves as the replacement for the outgoing model which was built in Indonesia and shipped to Thailand via Afta benefits.

And now being made in Thailand, since our Asean neighbour has discontinued assembling the Swift and is slated to make the Ertiga MPV derivative instead, it means that Thais in the future will not only have a hatch to choose from but also a more versatile alternative.

Thais should be delighted to have the Swift made as Ecocar because it is among the biggest of the breed in its class. Not only does it have more metal and cabin space than in the old Swift but it is also adequate enough to outwit the likes of the Brio. In other words, the Swift is more a B-segment car like the March; the Brio is A-sized positioned below the Jazz.

Although the dimensions are very similar to the March, the Swift has apparently been designed with the Brio’s concept: lots of space for front occupants, but less so for rear passengers.

The Swift’s luggage area is only average and while the rear seats can fold for extra space, the floor isn’t flat and is a two-tier design. Fortunately, the Brio and March do exactly the same.

In spite of that, it must be noted that the Swift is still practical when it comes to details like the bottle holders on all four door panels.

But where the Swift excels over all of its opponents is the driving position and the interior’s perceived quality. Apart from a six-way adjustable seat, the steering wheel adjusts for both height and reach to help accommodate persons of virtually every size.

The materials used on the door panels and dashboard, the panel dials and their fonts also feel the most premium in its class. And if you settle for the range-topping version, there’s a lovely leather-clad steering and stylish gear knob.

In other words, the driver cockpit helps offset the Swift’s origin as a cost-effective car and is a significant step forward over its predecessor, as well. Just beware the GA base model gets a reach-only steering adjustment, no rev counter and, pathetically, no audio system.

An unfortunate thing about the new Swift is that it doesn’t go and steer as well as the previous Swift which, all of a sudden, should make current customers smile since they are being charged more for than the new Swift. We’ll get into pricing shortly.

Instead of the previous 105hp 1.5-litre petrol four-pot, the Swift now gets a 91hp 1.2-litre variation to conform with Ecocar rules (no more than 1,300cc). Coincidentally, the Swift also gets this 1.2 in Europe and Japan.

And instead of a normal four-speed automatic, the new Swift has a CVT automatic just like in the Brio, March and Mirage.

With this new combination, the Swift doesn’t perform as well as before. It only accelerates modestly and overtakes with some stress at higher speeds. Simply put, it lacks the spirited performance of the old car.

But if you put its Ecocar rivals into perspective, the Swift is sufficiently quick though not outstanding to really shine in its class. Also equal with the March is its fuel economy where we managed some 18kpl on the average. The 20kpl requirement of Ecocar _ which Suzuki says the car can do without automatic stop-start _ wasn’t attainable in our hands in real-world driving.

This means the Brio is still the one to beat when it comes to outright performance and fuel economy (comfortably capable of 20kpl). The only aspect of the Swift’s drivetrain that stands out is refinement, be it when cruising or driving enthusiastically.

The old Swift was known to have the best in-class balance between handling and ride. Although that could arguably still be the case for the new Swift, it isn’t as delicate as before.

Although the Swift still steers with enough directness to make it a highly agile car, the overly damped suspension can make handling soggy at high speeds or when roads get demanding.

If you compare the new and old, the Swift seems to have grown up a little for restrained drivers and lacks the more natural and fluid driving experience of its predecessor. Add that with lesser performance, the Swift is now less fun to drive.

But of more importance to the Swift is that its chassis still delivers against the Brio and March, and as a 500,000 baht Ecocar.

Ah, the price. Suzuki is still tight-lipped about pricing and will only talk about it at its launch later this month. However, our sources suggest that the prices start at 389,000 baht for the manual version and rise to the 529,000 baht for the range-topper as tested here this week. That makes it nearly 100,000 baht cheaper than the old, but higher performing, predecessor.

The specification spread isn’t that ideal yet in the Swift. If you want twin airbags, you need to shoot up right to the top. The same goes for 16-inch mag wheels; the rest of the range is 15-inch steel ones with hub-caps.

You may argue that smaller tires are cheaper to change and yield better low-speed ride with their higher aspect ratio (series rating in layman speak). But you might want to know that we have noted some differences with the test cars made available to the media last week.

The 16-inchers are shod with Bridgestone Turanza tires and helped yielded more grip and made handling sharper. The smaller wheels had the less sophisticated B250 model from the same tire brand that really didn’t offer any advantage in ride terms. So, it’s for you to decide.

So how’s the new Swift in the end? Clearly, it is not as good to drive as before by lacking that nice chassis balance and peppy performance. But it has gained with improved perceived quality and more accommodation.

In fact, these two particular aspects help make the Swift attractive over its Ecocar competition. And if you take into account the Swift’s appearance, it feels thoroughly fresh and new.

While we have no qualms that the Swift offers fine value (at this price level for the top model) with its competitive driving manners, package and kit, punchy and frugal performance would have taken it straight to the top of its class.

Writer: Richard Leu

Suzuki

93/11-17, Prasopsook Road, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, 57000 Tel: 053 711 744

Automotive

Russell’s early departure leaves Lando Norris on pole at the Hungarian F1 GP.

Published

7 months ago

July 20, 2024

Salman

(CTN News) – Lando Norris and his McLaren squad survived a tough qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, but they know they must perform on Sunday.

Lando Norris needed to win Budapest after Oscar Piastri locked off the top row in the field’s fastest McLaren. Recent races have been costly owing to wasted opportunities and little mistakes.

He matched Max Verstappen’s pole lap at the Hungaroring, who was unhappy to finish third. In a confident and aggressive approach, the 24-year-old finished more than three tenths ahead of the Dutchman, hitting the apexes.

Piastri followed Lando Norris by two hundredths of a second on the second hot run, demonstrating McLaren’s speed.

McLaren is doing well since Lando Norris won the Miami Grand Prix.

His potential triumphs have been cost by team and driver error, for which both parties have taken responsibility. On Sunday, he and McLaren will know they must do well.

Norris was quietly pleased with his historic first pole in Hungary and third overall. Although confident, McLaren will also be proud of their recent race progress. No one has won the pole in Budapest since Lewis Hamilton won the race and flag in 2012.

Norris and his crew recognize they must capitalize on closing gaps with 12 races left to drive Verstappen to the finish. Lando Norris understands. Behind Verstappen by 84 championship points.

“I know we missed out on some races, but we did the best we could in every one of them, and I don’t want to get back into all that stuff,” he said. I expect Oscar and Max to challenge me in the rear, not a clean weekend.

“Every location and point must be maximized; the more we can do to return to Max and Red Bull, the better.”

Hungary is a great opportunity since Lando Norris Verstappen was plainly unhappy with his car and outperformed. This disappointed him twice because the team had swiftly upgraded this race.

Verstappen had stated that the upgrades will define the second half of the season, but he admitted that he did not think they had gone far enough and could not defeat the McLarens.

“The changes are effective, but we still need more as we are not at the top,” said he. “Despite the imbalance, I liked the laps. I was pushing hard, so you had these little moments. Fast lap times are less crucial today. Simple: we need to work more because we’re moving slower. McLaren’s qualifying performance suggests a lot of ground to cover.

Lando Norris completed his best lap despite two crash-related stoppages.

Verstappen looked great in dry Q3 hot laps. He set a record with a lap time of 1 minute, 15.555 seconds and was quickest through each sector.

Lando Norris followed and pushed through the corners with fearlessness, posting a perfect 1:15.227 lap time. Piastri improved to second place on the penultimate laps while Verstappen did not, and Yuki Tsunoda’s crash halted the session.

A tardy coda didn’t matter when practice resumed because the last two minutes on old tires were worthless. McLaren has all the cards, but they must perform at the highest level to prove the legendary brand can win again.

Carlos Sainz of Ferrari was fourth and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes fifth. George Russell, Sainz’s teammate, was unexpectedly ousted in the first round.

Sergio Pérez of Red Bull struggled again in the first qualifying round. He hit the curb, lost the rear at turn eight, and crashed, interrupting the session.

Poor performance again for the Mexican, whose Red Bull berth is in risk after a succession of poor performances, especially in qualification. His contract, recently extended to 2025, may have a performance clause, and Red Bull is unlikely to tolerate him underperforming for long. He was sixteen.

Russell fell behind because Lando Norris Mercedes didn’t fuel the car until the session ended. The British driver was eliminated in 17th place after staying out when the track dried after the break.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari placed sixth, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin placed seventh and eighth, Daniel Ricciardo of RB placed nine, and Tsunoda placed tenth.

Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen of Haas finished 11 and 15, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber 12 and Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant of Williams 13 and 14. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly placed ninth and twentieth for Alpine, while Guanyu Zhou placed eighth for Sauber.

SOURCE: GN

Automotive

M5 Partially Closed as Cullompton-Exeter Crash Hospitalizes Two

Published

7 months ago

July 12, 2024

Salman

(CTN News) – Two people were sent to the hospital for treatment as a result of the M5 tragic vehicle accident that happened in Devon.

The accident between two vehicles was the cause of the disaster. One more consequence of the crash is that it has left the M5 partially blocked to traffic to this day.

Between junction 28 for Cullompton and junction 29 for Exeter, the highway was blocked in both directions; however, one lane on the southbound carriageway has been opened up for previously closed traffic.

In a statement issued by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, they stated that they were notified of a traffic accident that had happened in the Exeter district at 2:29 p.m. on Friday, July 12.

M5 happened in Exeter, according to reports.

Furthermore, information was given to them by the South Western Ambulance Service.

To provide medical assistance to those injured, four land ambulances, each with two crews, an air ambulance, a critical care M5 vehicle, a doctor, an operations officer, and a responding officer were dispatched to the scene of the incident.

Furthermore, a critical care vehicle was dispatched. We also dispatched an air ambulance to the scene of the event.

Two patients were transported to their respective hospitals: one was transported by land ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, while the second patient was flown there by air ambulance.

After being moved, the two patients were sent to hospitals in Devon and Exeter, respectively. Simultaneously, both patients were transferred to their respective sites at the same time.

Here’s what Devon and Somerset M5 Fire and Rescue Service said:

“We responded to the scene of a road traffic collision on the M5 at 2.30 p.m. today, between junctions 28 and 29.” The statement cited above was part of an official declaration.

A car that had been hit by another car coming from the other direction had two persons inside that had been rescued. It had been traveling in the other direction.

We offered support as the people were being taken out of the car. These people are now receiving medical assistance from the ambulance service in order to fulfill their duties.

The event caused significant delays for the M5 and the routes that pass through Exeter during the period when traffic was being redirected. In order to accommodate the traffic, this was being done.

A southbound vehicle experienced wheel failure, causing it to cross the center reserve and merge with the northbound road approaching. The car was going the wrong way, which is why this happened. The vehicle was traveling southward at that precise moment.

National Highways indicated that based on the facts they have provided, it is expected that the police would begin their investigation into the occurrence given the magnitude of the calamity that occurred. The entity that made this information public was National Highways.

The Devon and Cornwall Police Department issued the following statement:

“We know the M5 closure is causing traffic.”

The statement that was released is located beneath you. “We will get people moving safely when we can but please bear with us while we deal with the incident and causalities at the scene.”

In order to accommodate cars and other small vehicles that were traveling on the now-closed northern route towards M5 Taunton and Bristol, the back of the line has been shifted.

This was done to create space for these cars, which were heading towards Taunton and Bristol. The purpose of this activity was to provide space for larger cars. At this point, it seems like more and more vehicles are being stopped from going forward.

Due to this incident, a second lane has been opened up for use by any and all vehicles traveling southward.

SOURCE: ITV

Automotive

Honda to Cease Production at One of its Thailand Auto Factories

Published

7 months ago

July 10, 2024

Salman

(CTN News) – The Japanese vehicle firm Honda Motor made the news in a statement that was posted on Tuesday. The statement stated that the company intends to center its production at the site that it operates in the province of Prachinburi.

As a consequence of this, the production of automobiles will be halted at the facility that it operates in the province of Ayutthaya in Thailand by the year 2025.

The more difficult circumstances that the second-largest car manufacturer in Japan is facing in the country of Thailand, which is located in Eastern Southeast Asia, are exemplified by this move. Thailand is located in Southeast Asia.

There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Chinese firms are determined to grow their market share in Thailand, and a growing number of consumers are expressing an interest in electric vehicles (EVs). They both play a role in contributing to the problem.

The combined output of automobiles produced by Honda’s two facilities has fallen throughout the course of the succeeding four years, going from 228,000 vehicles in 2019 to less than 150,000 vehicles annually. This downward trend has occurred during the course of the past four years.

The preceding four years have been the time period during which this decline has taken place. With regard to the sales that the company has made in Thailand throughout the course of the past four years, there has been a consistent range of less than 100,000 to less than 100,000 for the entirety of this time period.

This is according to Honda’s spokeswoman.

When the factory first opened its doors in 1996, the company anticipates that it would continue to manufacture vehicle components at that location. When the firm finishes manufacturing vehicles at the Ayutthaya facility in the next year, the spokesperson stated that the company intends to continue producing automobile components at the plant.

In accordance with the statement that was given by the spokesman, the Prachinburi factory, which was built in 2016, will be utilized for the purpose of integrating the facilities with which automobiles are created. This was said in the statement. There are only two factories in Thailand that are owned and operated by the vehicle manufacturer, and these two factories are the only ones in the country.

According to the statement made by a spokeswoman for Honda in Thailand, the company’s goal is to reduce the disparity between the number of automobiles it produces and the number of sales it has experienced in the nation.

According to the remark that was made by the spokesman for the company, the automobile manufacturer are already exporting their products from Thailand, particularly to other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines. According to a statement that was sent by a spokeswoman for the company.

Currently, Honda has no plans to invest in Thailand.

When it comes to mainland China, Honda and Nissan Motor, a Japanese automobile manufacturer that competes with Honda, have been hit particularly hard by competition from rising Chinese manufacturers.

Nissan Motor is a competitor of Honda. As a result of the fact that these businesses provide reasonably priced plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles that are loaded with software, a significant number of customers have been drawn to them.

Now, Japanese automobile manufacturers are at risk of losing clients in countries outside of China, such as those in Southeast Asia, to Chinese companies that are increasingly attempting to increase the quantity of automobiles they export and build up operations outside of China.

As a result, Honda Japanese automobile manufacturers are facing a potential loss of customers. They are exposed to this danger as a result of the fact that Japanese brands compete with Chinese brands in these locations.

BYD, a Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles, recently launched a plant in Thailand that will be responsible for the production of automobiles that are powered by electronic batteries.

This plant was established last week. The Chinese electric car manufacturers are beginning to establish facilities in the country, and this factory is a component of the wave of investments that they are making in the country. These investments have a total value that is greater than 1.44 billion dollars together.

SOURCE |SCMP