CARSguide conducts the first local performance test of Suzuki's Swift Sport.

The far-reaching web of the bright yellow Ferrari 360 Spider was cast in the form of a looming shadow down the straight at Oran Park.

Five laps into the reverse-grid component of this CAMS licence qualifier, the little Swift Sport had clawed its way to the lead from ninth on the grid before being thwarted on the straight by a Porsche Cayman S.

The next straight was upon us — but as the golden Ferrari filled my rear-view mirror, the black-and-white flag heralded the race's end.

Short reverse-grid handicap though it was, the supercar had been undone by a $23,990 hatchback. It ain't called Swift for nothing.

Suzuki may have abandoned the famous GTi nameplate, but a decade since the last hot Swift, it has lost none of its famous fun factor.

The standard 1.5 litre Swift engine has been pumped up to 1.6, its new-found 92kW peaking at the 6800rpm limit.

On song, the engine is as harmonic as a soprano on speed, and the ensuing adrenalin rush is sparked more by an aural inducement than an actual surge of power.

This sweet engine produces 18kW more than the standard donor engine and 15Nm more torque, with 148Nm on tap.

Power has been found with the installation of a new block, inlet and exhaust camshafts, crankshaft, pistons and rings, conrods, intake and exhaust manifolds. Add to these an electronic throttle body and a bigger muffler.

The engine is matched to a smooth, close-ratio, short-throw five-speed manual. The gear whine in first sounds alarmingly like a police siren.

Despite peak torque occurring at 4800rpm, 800rpm higher than in a standard Swift, the Sport responds eagerly from remarkably low revs.

The gearing is an absolute joy, with even fourth pulling strongly up steep inclines.

On the highway, however, the Sport could use a sixth gear; at 100km/h, it's singing away at 3300rpm.

Cruise control is optional, and 98RON fuel is required.

To the Sport's credit, a day driving laps around Oran Park, combined with highway stints to and from the track, produced a fuel consumption of just 9.8 litres per 100km. Normal city driving saw figures in the low sevens.

But this has always been the beauty of the smaller hot hatch. The Sport weighs in at just 1100kg — only 40kg more than its Swift S sibling, despite some top-shelf specs (although it has a can of goop instead of a spare tyre.) The Sport is quick to stop, too, with the standard rear drums replaced by discs.

Rubber is excellent: the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are wrapped around gorgeous 16-inch alloys that provide feel without rattling the teeth.

The Sport's suspension is stiffened with new Monroe shocks, and suspension and tyres provide great feedback without compromising ride quality in the slightest.

The vaguely loose feel of the slightly roly-poly standard car is all but gone. Even the seats have better side support.

Extra chassis stiffness is provided by a rear floor crossmember and additional right- and left-side floor members.

The body is shaped for speed, with a gaping front air dam, revised front and rear bumpers and spoiler, and colours like Courage Yellow, which is brighter than Las Vegas.

Against both the exotica and the cars in its category, the Sport sure stands out.

With six airbags and ABS as standard, along with sports and spec appeal, it will give the Citroen C2 VTS/VTR, Ford Fiesta Zetec and Mini Cooper a run for their money.

The premium for the Swift Sport is a $6000 stretch over the similarly specced Swift S. But the go-fast goodies in a little car that can brag about beating a Ferrari are well and truly priceless.

With thanks to Ian Luff Motivation Australia, Oran Park.