The Swift Hybrid, launched in Japan, comes in a Hybrid SG and Hybrid SL variant. The standard 91hp 1.2-litre petrol motor is paired to a 10kW Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and a 5-speed Auto Gear Shift (AGS) gearbox. When the car is running at a constant speed, or when it’s slowly ambling around in traffic, the car stops the internal combustion engine and switches to electric mode.
The car weighs less than 1,000kg (thereby qualifying for eco-car tax breaks in Japan) and offers a claimed fuel efficiency of 32 kpl.
The Hybrid SL variant is fitted with paddle shifters and other advanced safety features that are standard fitment, including the Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS), a collision-mitigating system (with a monocular camera and laser sensor to detect obstacles ahead), as well as SRS curtain airbags and front seat SRS side airbags.
There’s no news on whether this car will make its way here but the next-gen Swift (based on the Heartect platform) will debut at the 2018 Auto Expo and launch in India early next year.
