‘THE $7,495 Suzuki Swift GA hatchback is Suzuki's lowest-priced car. An economical 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine and five- equipment. Check out the 1993 Suzuki Swiit at North Vancouver Suzuki, 1695 Marine at Tatlow, North Vancouver. TEST DRIVE YOU MIGHT expect a car like the. inexpensive and economical! Suzuki Swift to make compromises when it comes to interior room and performance. Well, be prepared for a surprise the first time you step into the $7,495 Suzuki Swift GA. There’s adequate passenger room for four adult passengers and the trunk area is roomier than that of many subcompact coupes, — The Swift’s ‘wagon-like hatch- tack design makes maximum use of its miniscule 12’x 6’ ‘exterior dimensions. Front and rear pas- sengers enjoy plenty of headroom and adequate legroom. Pop open the big rear hatch door and fold down the one-piece rear seat, and there’s enough room to squeeze in bulky items like a single-size mat- tress. The Swift is a model of space utilization. Swifts are built both in Japan and Ingersoll, Ontario, and many are sold through General Motors dealerships as the Geo Metro and the newly resurrected Pontiac Firefly. The base Suzuki model, the Swift GA, is powered by a tiny 1,0-litre, single cverhead-cam three-cylinder motor developing just 55 horsepower. Other Swift models — which include a sedan — offer a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 70 horsepower. However, even the least expen- sive four-cylinder model starts at $8 ,495 one thousand dollars more than the GA. . Though the GA has just three cylinders, it is not underpowered. Its light curb-weight of just 749 kgs. (1648 Ibs.) gives it an accept- able power-to-weight ratio. Dur- ing my test drive, 1 discovered that acceleration from a standing start is adequate, if rather’ noisy, and that the Swift can cruise com- fortably at 110 km/h. The Swift’s 1.0-litre engine is a real gas miser, using just 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres in urban driv- ing, and 4.3 litres on the highway. That makes the Swift GA the second-most fuel-efficient car in Canada, next to the Honda Civic VX hatchback. For improved driveability and ease of starting, electronic fuel in- jection is standard on the Swift’s 1.0-litre single overhead-cam engine. The Swift has surprisingly com- petent road manners. Even with its tiny {2-inch radials, the Swift handles with agility and stability at normal highway speeds. Its front-wheel-drive layout, four-wheel independent MacPher- son strut suspension and rack and pinion steering all contribute to this. At highway speeds, the aerodynamic Swift is resistant to side-winds and gusts from passing semi-trailers. Power-assisted steering is. not available to the GA, but the steer- ing effort is light enough to be acceptable for urban driving. The Swift's standard manual five-speed transmission has com- fortable throws and light clutch- pedal action, however an automatic transmission is available on the GA. The interior was redesigned nol, Base price $7,495 Type two-door, four-passenger hatchback Layout transverse engine/front-wheel drive Engine 1,0-litre three-cylinder, SOHC, electronic fuel injection Horsepower 55 @ 5,700 rpm Torque 58 Ibs.-ft. @ 3,300 rpm front recently, and is simple and attrac- tive, but fairly plain. The front reclining bucket seats and rear bench seats have a durable cloth front with a vinyl backing, and the door trim is plain vinyl. Simple round instruments are well shielded from sunlight by a semi-circular vinyl housing and a centre console with coin holder is standard. A radio is optional. All Swifts come with a new an- ti-theft alarm as standard equip- ment. It’s activated by a remote transmitter on a key chain and features a ‘panic’? feature which allows the driver to activate the alarm manually in an emergency. Other standard features on the GA include: ‘vont. and rear three-point seat belts; intermittent wipers; electric ‘rear defroster; 93 - North Shore News — 25 iti k ie ivi i 3% NEWS photo Nell Lucente speed manual transmission are standard Transmission five-speed mai ual (no automatic) Curb weight 749 kg/1,651 Ibs. Wheelbase 2,265 mm/89.2 in. Length 3,745 mm/147.4 in. Width 1,575 mm/62.0 in. Height 1,350 mm/53.1 in. Tires P145/80 R12 radials Fuel consumption City 5.5 L/ 100 km, 51 mpg; Hwy 4.3 L/ 100 km, 66 mpg Warranty three yrs/80,000 km driver’s-side outside mirror; rea: cargo privacy cover; front disc. rear drum brakes; and P145/8 R12 radial tires. Swift GAs arn available in white, red and black. Options include AM/FR: cassette stereo, digital clock, whee: covers and alloy wheels Driver’s-side airbag, anti-loct. brakes, air conditioning anc power-operated conveniences are not available. The Swift GA's practical. fuel-efficient character and tow retail price make it a good choice for first-time buyers, or those who want a small second car. Some Suzuki dealerships are of- fering university, college and post-secondary students a $756 rebate on new Swifts, making ‘the _price even more attractive.