WHAT CAR AWARDS - The Suzuki Celerio City car gets a Best Buy nod at this years awards ceremony.

First launched in the UK two years ago, the Suzuki Celerio has been awarded a ‘Best Buy’ accolade at the 2017 What Car? Awards held in London. At £6,999, the SZ2 model was comprehensively judged by the editorial team and announced as the best overall model in its price bracket of less than £8,000.

Readers of What Car? regularly ask the team to assist with advice on their next new car and in the case of needing something small, cheap to buy and run and also easy to drive, Celerio is very high on the list.

Commenting at the awards, Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car? said “Nothing else in this class offers so much for so little, just £7000 is enough to land you our lowest price point winner. 

At that price you’d expect an empty box on wheels, right? Wrong. This entry level SZ2 trim isn’t the plushest, but how about this lot: a height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, split-folding rear seats, electric front windows, a DAB radio and six airbags? Best of all, you get a sprightly three-cylinder petrol engine that’ll easily whizz you around town, with enough in reserve for 70mph cruising on the motorway.  And it emits just 99g/km of CO₂, so is exempt from road tax.

Drivers can easily get comfy thanks to lots of seat adjustment, and it’s dead easy to see all the car’s corners when parking. There’s a surprising amount of space for all four passengers, and the boot is bigger than most city cars”.

Celerio is proving to be very popular in the UK with more than 16,500 sold since launch and the SZ2 is available from just £79 per month with a PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) agreement from Suzuki Financial Services. The term is 48 months at 5.9 per cent APR and requires a deposit of £1,855 with an optional final payment of £2,228 to keep the car.

Suzuki to consolidate sales gains with some great offers to keep the momentum flowing.

• Even stronger value for Q3 2015 with PCP schemes on offer across the Suzuki range of cars.
• Celerio SZ2 available from just £79 per month payable over 42 months with a deposit of £1,816.
• Swift SZ3 three and five door models (2 wheel drive) include free satellite navigation upgrade and 0% APR PCP finance with £0 deposit.
• Vitara SZ4 available from £179 per month over 42 months.
• S-Cross 1.6 SZ3 available from £159 per month over 48 months.

Suzuki have launched their summer offers across the range, including the new Celerio and Vitara models, and the ever-popular Swift and S-Cross. A PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) agreement is ideal for customers who want to purchase a new Suzuki at a low monthly cost.

The recently introduced Celerio SZ2 is priced at £6,999 and is available for £79 per month over 42 months, with a deposit of £1,816 and optional final payment of £2,685. Celerio SZ2 is well equipped with a DAB digital radio, CD tuner, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and daytime running lights all included as standard specification.

Swift is one of Suzuki’s world strategic models and makes strong statements in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling as well as offering low fuel consumption and low CO₂ emissions. Swift is also Suzuki’s largest selling model in the UK, accounting for 40% of sales, and a target of 15,000 units for 2015.

Swift SZ3 is available on PCP with 0% APR and £0 deposit, at a cost of £172 per month over 42 months with a final payment of £3,375 for a three door model, or £182 per month with a £3,438 final payment for a five door model.

In addition, all Swift customers purchasing an SZ3 specification car will receive a free satellite navigation upgrade until the end of September. This is in addition to air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and Bluetooth connectivity which are all included as standard.

S-Cross SZ3 is also available on PCP with 2.9% APR and 48 monthly payments of £159. A £2,090 deposit is required and the optional final payment is £5,275. SZ3 models are equipped with air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, USB and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.

The all-new Vitara is also included in the summer offers, with a 42 month PCP at £179 per month with a deposit of £2,600 for the Vitara 1.6 SZ4 model, which is priced at £13,999. The optional final payment for those customers who want to keep their car is £5,665.

The all-new Vitara is designed meet contemporary needs and incorporates Suzuki’s cutting-edge ALLGRIP four wheel drive system as an option. Advanced safety and connectivity equipment is available and Vitara also enables owners to express themselves through various personalisation options.

Standard equipment specification for the SZ4 model includes seven airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, Cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning, front and rear electric windows and projector headlamps.

Suzuki Ugrades, offers lower emissions and better value for the new Swift Supermini.

UPGRADES, LOWER CO₂ EMISSIONS AND EVEN BETTER VALUE FOR SUZUKI’S COMPACT SUPERMINI

• Even better value for 2015 with model price repositioning across the range (except Sport model)
• SZ3 three and five door models (2 wheel drive) now include free satellite navigation upgrade and 0% APR PCP finance with nil deposit.
• New SZ4 5 door with Dualjet technology available at £12,699 offers emissions of just 99g/km and Zero VED charge.
• Special Edition SZ-L with exclusive two-tone paintwork available for £11,099 for three door model.

Following a record year for Swift in the UK with sales of more than 11,000 units, Suzuki is now offering even better value for its compact supermini with repositioned prices from £8,999 for the SZ2 three door model, free satellite navigation upgrade for SZ3 three and five door models and the introduction of the new Dualjet SZ4 five door model offering just 99g/km CO₂ emissions and Zero VED.

The Swift is one of Suzuki’s world strategic models and makes strong statements in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling as well as offering low fuel consumption and low CO₂ emissions.

The new 1.2-litre Dualjet engine incorporates Suzuki’s latest technology that utilises twin fuel injectors for improved fuel economy with 65.7mpg on the EC Combined fuel consumption cycle, representing an impressive 9.2mpg or 16 per cent improvement over the current petrol engine.

Another benefit of Dualjet technology is reduced CO₂ emissions of from 116g/km to 99g/km, meaning that this model is exempt from VED charges (Vehicle Excise Duty). Even fewer trips to the fuel pumps equate to a saving of around £150 per year.

*Based on a petrol price of £1.09 per litre and an average mileage of 12,000.

Utilising Dualjet technology that positions the fuel injectors very close to the engine inlet valves allows for a finer fuel atomisation (or mixture) which in turn provides a more effective transfer into the engine. Internal modifications include the use of a new type of inlet port and combustion chamber with other mechanical parts also modified to reduce frictional losses and facilitate smoother running.

The maximum power output is 90PS versus 94PS for the current petrol engine with a slightly increased torque figure of 120Nm at 4,400rpm versus 118Nm at 4,800rpm. Other modifications include slight alterations to gear ratios for greater flexibility on the road, and the addition of Engine Auto Stop Start (EASS). 

Suzuki Financial Services are offering a new PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) deal on Swift models for Quarter 1 of this year which includes a nil deposit scheme with zero per cent APR for SZ3 models. Taking the three door model as an example, payments are just £169 per month over a 43 month agreement at 0% APR and a final instalment of £3,501 to keep the car. Monthly payments are only £9 per month extra for the SZ3 five door model too.

For customers looking to place a deposit of £2,940 for an SZ3 three door, payments are just £99 per month over the same 43 month period at zero per cent APR, again with a final balloon payment of £3,501 required at the end of the agreement.

Swift is available in five clearly defined specification grades, SZ2, SZ3, SZ-L, SZ4 and Sport with 1.6-litre engine. All models offer seven airbags and ESP as standard, front passenger airbag deactivation facility, electric front windows, remote central door locking with deadlocks, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, MP3 / WMA compatible CD tuner with USB port and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

SZ3 adds satellite navigation as a free upgrade for Q1, air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and bluetooth connectivity with music streaming facility.

Pricing for the 2015 Swift range is as follows:

Model	OTR Price
3-door 1.2 SZ2 manual	£8,999
3-door 1.2 SZ3 manual	£10,599
3-door 1.2 SZ-L manual	£11,099
3-door 1.2 SZ4 manual 5-door 1.2 SZ2 manual	£11,699 £9,499
5-door 1.2 SZ3 manual 5-door 1.2 SZ-L manual	£11,099 £11,599
5-door 1.2 SZ4 manual	£12,199
5-door 1.2 SZ4  auto	£13,099
5-door 1.2 SZ4 Dualjet	£12,699
5-door 1.2 SZ3  manual 4x4	£12,099
5-door 1.2 SZ4 manual 4x4 3-door 1.6-litre Sport 5-door 1.6-litre Sport	£13,699 £13,999 £14,499

Upgraded Suzuki swift launches with a VAT free offer.

• Swift is one of the cleanest petrol engine Superminis on the market with emissions of just 116g/km and £30 in annual VED charges (manual transmission)
• Minor change revisions to 1.2-litre range with immediate effect include addition of front fog lamps and LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights) from SZ2 model upwards.
• Top specification SZ4 model now adds navigation system with DAB radio as standard.
•  1.2-litre petrol 4x4 model available in SZ3 and SZ4 grades for greater flexibility when off the beaten track.
• 1.6-litre Sport model available from £13,999.
• New colour added to the 1.2-litre range – Amethyst Grey Pearl Metallic
• Global Swift sales of over 3.4 million since first launched in May 2005.
• UK Swift sales of around 95,000 since May 2005.

The Swift is one of Suzuki’s world strategic models and makes strong statements in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling as well as offering low fuel consumption and low CO₂ emissions.

The powertrain is a Euro 5 compliant 1.2 litre engine incorporating Dual VVT (Variable intake and exhaust Valve Timing) that produces 94PS at 6,000rpm with a torque figure of 118Nm at 4,800rpm. Swift is highly fuel efficient offering 56.5mpg on the EC combined cycle for the manual transmission model with 2WD.  C0₂emissions are also one of the lowest in its class producing just 116g/km on the combined cycle (manual transmission).

Due to less than 10 per cent uptake of the 1.3-litre DDiS model, Suzuki has taken the decision to discontinue this model from the range this year.

UK Specification Summary

Swift is available in four clearly defined specification grades, SZ2, SZ3, SZ4 and Sport with 1.6-litre engine. In addition to seven airbags and ESP as standard, SZ2 has front passenger airbag deactivation facility, electric front windows, remote central door locking with deadlocks, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, MP3 / WMA compatible CD tuner with USB port and steering wheel mounted audio controls. SZ3 adds air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, integrated audio unit and bluetooth connectivity with music streaming facility.

As part of the minor change specification upgrades from June 2014, all Swift models (except Sport)are now fitted with LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights) and front fog lights. A gear shift indicator has now been added to help aid fuel efficiency as well as Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) for added driver safety.  These two features have also now been added to the 1.6-litre Sport model.

Also from June 2014, SZ4 adds navigation and DAB digital radio as standard to the already high specification that includes automatic air conditioning, electric rear windows, rear privacy glass (five door models), push button keyless start, automatic headlamps, cruise control and heated mirrors with integrated turn indicators.

Amethyst Grey Pearl Metallic has now been added (except for Sport models) which totals eight colours in the range – six metallic* and two solid – these are:

Cool White Pearl metallic	Bright Red
Silky Silver metallic	Superior White
Galactic Grey metallic
Cosmic Black Pearl metallic
Boost Blue metallic Amethyst Grey Pearl Metallic	*Metallic paint is a £430 option

Pricing for the revised Swift range with current VAT free offers running is as follows:

Model	OTR Price	VAT Free Price
3-door 1.2 SZ2 manual	£10,799	£8,999
3-door 1.2 SZ3 manual	£12,359	£10,299
3-door 1.2 SZ4 manual	£14,039	£11,699
5-door 1.2 SZ2 manual	£11,399	£9,499
5-door 1.2 SZ3 manual	£12,959	£10,799
5-door 1.2 SZ4 manual	£14,639	£12,199
5-door 1.2 SZ4  auto	£15,649	£13,041
5-door 1.2 SZ3  manual 4x4	£14,159	£11,799
5-door 1.2 SZ4 manual 4x4 3-door 1.6-litre Sport 5-door 1.6-litre Sport	£16,439 £13,999 £14,499	£13,699 N/A N/A

4x4 model for added flexibility.

Following good sales success in Japan and several European Countries, Suzuki took the positive decision in mid-2013 to launch the 4x4 model in the UK. This model is available as a five door 1.2 petrol model with manual transmission and equipped as either an SZ3 or SZ4 grade.

Thanks to the use of small and lightweight components Swift 4x4 is just 65kg heavier than an equivalent 2WD petrol model and emissions are only 10g/km higher at 126g/km. Apart from 4x4 badging and a slightly increased body ride height of 25mm the SZ3 grade appears identical to an equivalent SZ3 five door.

The SZ4 model has a more rugged appearance and offers extra protection over rough ground by adding front and rear skid plates, black wheel arch extensions and black side skirts.

1.6-litre Sport.

The flagship Sport model was launched in the UK in January 2012; befitting its status as the performance flagship of the Swift model range it reflects the pursuit of even better handling, driving performance, environmental compatibility and an uncompromising focus on quality. Overall, it offers a rewarding experience of Suzuki’s sporting DNA.

Suzuki launched the Swift Sport in a growing number of Countries and sales in the UK are around 1,100 units per annum, representing 10 per cent of total Swift sales. The Sport model has a bespoke exhaust system with twin tailpipes, one on each side of the rear diffuser.

The Swift Sport’s M16A engine offers power combined with low emissions. The engine has a variable intake system and an optimised intake VVT (Variable Valve Timing) for increased valve lift, maximum output is an impressive 100kW (136PS) and maximum torque is 160Nm at an engine speed of 4,400 rpm. The engine’s high output is combined with excellent fuel economy of 44.1mpg on the Combined EC Cycle and CO₂emissions are 147g/km.