“Suzuki is committed to providing the highest levels of safety to its customers,” said Suzuki Australia Automotive General Manager Tony Devers.

“We have stayed true to the Suzuki philosophy of fantastic value for money by including ESP on the Swift Sport without adding to the price.”

The inclusion of ESP bolsters an impressive list of safety features including driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

“ESP headlines the next generation of vehicle safety systems, by actively intervening when it detects the vehicle is heading out of control and correcting the situation,” said Devers.

“Every driver is confronted at some time with critical driving situations such as a truck losing part of its load in front of you or slippery surfaces after heavy rainfall. Even at moderate speeds these situations can lead to the driver losing control. “ESP prevents possible skidding from the start, by instantaneous interventions of the brakes and engine management.” Devers explained the ESP system on the Swift Sport utilised the ABS sensors already incorporated into the Swift range, and added a steering angle and lateral acceleration sensor.

The system monitors each sensor every 25 milliseconds, keeping a watchful eye on the angle of the steering wheel and the lateral movement of the car.

When ESP recognises the vehicle is threatening to skid off course, it selectively applies braking pressure at each wheel and – if necessary – limits power delivery to ‘steer’ the vehicle into the desired direction.

“For example, if you were driving on a highway in winter and encountered a patch of black ice, ESP would immediately detect if the car was starting to slide off course and brake the opposite wheel to bring the car back into line.”

Devers said the addition of ESP to the range-topping Sport version spearheaded a series of upgrades for the highly popular Swift line-up.

The Swift and Swift S models receive a redesigned front grille, front and rear bumpers and rear lamps, a new aluminum wheel and a new rear seat now featuring a single-fold design incorporating a portable luggage board making it possible to provide a flat rear storage area.

Two new colours will also become available – Ocean Blue and Nocturne Blue – and the upgrade also includes a new fabric seat upholstery.

In its motor sport career, the Suzuki Swift has dominated the opening three rounds of the 2007 JWRC season, winning each round including a clean sweep of every stage of the Portugal Rally.

Suzuki has confirmed it will also enter the WRC in 2008, with an all-new rally car based on the SX4 hatch.

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