Suzuki Swift will grow in 2012

The Swift Sport was previewed at the Australian International Motor Show, where Suzuki Australia's managing director Takeshi Hayasaki revealed plans for it to become the Japanese company's new youth leader and halo car.

The last-generation Sport arrived 12 months after launch of the regular Swifts. A similar timeline this time should have the five-door hatch here in the first quarter of 2012.

"We're very happy with the new Swift. Private sales are doing well for us but the fleet and government business is quiet," he said.

"Cars like the Swift Sport are important in Australia, people here identify with the fast cars like in Europe, but it is low volume so the business case needs to be strong."

The show Sport was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in February and is painted an eye-watering yellow and runs on 18-inch rims. The 1.4-litre engine that drives the regular Swift has been ditched for a 1.6-litre mill with variable valve timing, though Suzuki won't yet say what numbers the engine produces. The previous Sport extracted 92kW and 148Nm from its 1.6-litre engine but did it with a five-speed manual where the new one will have a six-shifter.

The outgoing Swift Sport wasn't a pocket-rocket but took to corners like few cars in the light car class. It should undercut the Europeans _ particularly the more potent VW Polo GTI it will be shopped against _ and should have a handling edge on the Holden Barinas and Ford Fiestas.

The Sport shares the regular Swift's 2430mm wheelbase but the flared guards pump the width out by 60mm and the height is down 35mm.

Recaro sports seats are fitted to the interior and alloy pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a carbon fibre centre console show passengers it's a sports-based car.