I have not heard any solid information about the Swift coming to the U.S.
Suzuki even seems to be playing down a Swift introduction with talk like this as of just a month ago:
Quote:
Suzuki SX4 Sport
With features and benefits derived from the highly acclaimed five-door SX4 Crossover, and steering and suspension heavily influenced by the award-winning Suzuki Swift, the 2009 four-door SX4 Sport provides a spirited and responsive driving experience.
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I think American Suzuki was so worried about the U.S. love affair with SUVs and pickups, and making a "tune worthy" compact in the SX4 Sport (which by all accounts is a pretty fun ride for the money), that they forgot about subcompacts and gas sippers for the U.S. market.
By making a sedan version of the existing SX4 avilable for the U.S. market, American Suzuki no doubt saved some money over what they would have needed to support an all new Swift model available here. They were already "halfway there" with an SX4 hatch 4WD.
All that said, unless the Swift comes here as-is with a European-style efficient engine, it won't sip gas. In other words, if they bump the engine size up it will be fine as a road rally racer, but don't expect a Swift altered for American tastes to be all that awesome at the pump.
It should be noted that the base engine in the SX4 overseas is an 1.5L gasoline unit identical to the one used in the Swift.
But if they can't get the acceleration they need out of the 1.5L in a car the size of the SX4, what we'd need for real gas savings would be a smaller, lighter car more like the Splash/new Agila.
