Tag Archive: swift sport

Car Buying Advice – Suzuki streamlines range to comply with ZEV mandate

July 4, 2024

Suzuki GB has announced it will discontinue four models from its new car range as it prepares to launch new electric vehicles (EVs) next year to comply with the government’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

That means the end of the road for popular models, including Ignis, Swift Sport, Swace and Jimny LCV – all of which are no longer available for factory order with only a limited number of cars remaining.

The all-new Swift will continue of course, along with Suzuki’s hybrid SUV range – S-Cross, Vitara and Across plug-in hybrid.

“Why is Suzuki stopping these models? The ban on new internal combustion vehicles (ICE) isn’t until 2035?”

The Conservative government announced in 2023 that it would delay the ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles from 2030 to 2035, a measure the newly incumbent Labour government seeks to overturn.

More than anything, this decision has confused motorists, with many unaware the ZEV mandate requires all UK car manufacturers to meet new EV sales targets, starting with 22% in 2024 and rising incrementally over the next 11 years.

Annual ZEV mandate targets to 2035:

“But Suzuki doesn’t have an EV yet… How can they achieve 22% this year?”

In short, they won’t. Manufacturers who don’t meet the quotas face a fine of £15,000 for every non-EV sold outside of the allowance.

The government has rubber-stamped flexibility measures though, allowing brands to bank credits to use in future years  or buy and sell them with other manufacturers who have exceeded or missed their annual EV targets.

In 2024, manufacturers can borrow up to 75% of their annual target, dropping to 25% in 2026, with the idea to help brands with low EV volumes, like Suzuki, during the early stages of the scheme.

“What does the ZEV mandate mean for new Suzuki buyers?”

If you’re considering buying a new Ignis, Swift Sport, Swace or Jimny LCV, you better be quick – some models like Ignis automatic have already sold out.

As the brand enters an era where it must carefully balance hybrid and EV sales ratios, other ICE models will soon become less available and more expensive, as the focus shifts to achieving EV targets over sales targets.

Suzuki plans to release its first fully electric car, based on the eVX concept, in the second half of 2025, with four more EVs added to the range by 2030.

If you have any questions about model availability or the ZEV mandate, please message our team or visit our showroom at Tracks Suzuki Exeter on Alphin Brook Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QF.

Suzuki steps up its self-charging hybrid models

December 13, 2019

In line with continued plans to further reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy across its range of vehicles, Suzuki GB PLC is excited to introduce three 48-Volt Self-Charging Hybrid equipped derivatives to its range in Spring 2020 which will also include the launch of the new K14D Boosterjet petrol engine.

The new Hybrid Powertrain will be introduced for Swift Sport, Vitara and S-Cross models and offer up to 20 per cent lower CO2 emissions, a greater level of torque and 15 per cent overall improvement in WLTP Combined fuel consumption. These models will directly replace the current 1.4-litre Boosterjet derivatives with manual transmission.

Similar in basic principle to the 12V Hybrid SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) system that Suzuki pioneered in 2016 and fitted to all manual transmission models in the Ignis range and Swift SZ5 models, the newly developed 48V Hybrid Powertrain remains very lightweight in design and the components add less than 15kg to the overall weight of the vehicle.

The new and higher-powered Suzuki SHVS system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (known as ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage including lights, audio and air conditioning. The ISG acts as both a generator and starter motor, is belt driven and assists the petrol engine during vehicle take off for a higher level of torque with 235Nm available from 2,000rpm.

The compact and high-performance lithium-ion battery stores electrical energy recovered from deceleration and braking and incorporates an idle stop function operated via the Integrated Starter Generator. This battery, along with the DC/DC convertor unit, are located under the front seats to assist overall weight distribution.

A further benefit of the new 48V Hybrid system is the introduction of electric motor idling when the clutch is disengaged and the engine speed is approximately 1,000rpm. This feature essentially replaces fuel injection with power from the electric motor to then control and maintain engine idling at vehicle speeds below 10mph and when stationary.

This function therefore eliminates fuel consumption under these conditions as engine momentum is electrically controlled by the ISG unit and the car is ready to re-accelerate on request with no engine restart delay.

Further detail and full specifications of the three new Hybrid models will be announced in advance of media and public launch which is planned for March 2020.