Suzuki Swift Sport mild-hybrid to start at a hefty £21,570

The 48V mild-hybrid Swift Sport, the only engine now offered with Suzuki's warm hatch, is priced at £21,570 - an increase on the £17,999 price tag of the outgoing model.

The launch of the 2020 Swift Sport headlines Suzuki's mild-hybrid line-up, which uses a 48V system alongside the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine to improve fuel economy and lower tailpipe emissions. 

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The new hybrid powertrain is also available in the Vitara and S-Cross. Suzuki claims it offers up to 17 per cent lower CO2 emissions, a greater level of torque and 17 per cent overall improvement in WLTP Combined fuel consumption. 

The Swift Sport starts at £21,570 and prodices 128PS, a decrease of 12PS on the outgoing model, although it offers more torque (235Nm) because the mild-hybrid system helps to generate a higher level of torque lower in the rev range. Suzuki quotes a 9.1 seconds 0-62mph time and 50.1mpg fuel economy. 

The new system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (known as ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power things like the lights, audio and air conditioning. The ISG acts as both a generator and starter motor to assist the petrol engine during initial acceleration, and it can also idle the engine below 50mph using electric power from the motor - meaning it'll help you coast on the motorway.

The Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross are also available with the 1.4-litre mild-hybrid powertrain, with prices starting at a respective £21,749 for the Vitara and £20,749 for the S-Cross

The system puts out the same power in the Vitara and S-Cross. The Vitara gets a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds but official fuel economy rises significantly from 43.1mpg to 49.7mpg. CO2 emissions also fall from 146g/km to 128g/km. 

The hybrid S-Cross goes from 0 to 62mph in 9.5 seconds and WLTP fuel consumption figures increase from 40.6mpg to 50.1mpg. It emits 127g/km of CO2 - a substantial 30g/km improvement.