Suzuki Australia has launched the follow up to the original "pocket rocket" and expanded the current Swift model range, with the unveiling of the new Suzuki Swift Sport.

The classy, sophisticated hot hatch with European styling adds yet another vehicle that combines, fun, excitement, performance and affordability to the existing Suzuki line-up.

The Swift Sport name will be adopted globally and the vehicle has already been launched onto the domestic market of Japan to rave reviews and sales.

"We studied the Australian market and believe that we have perfected a vehicle that reflects the desires of consumers, a vehicle that not only offers performance but is affordable, economical, comfortable, stylish, suitable for everyday driving and still offers raw excitement." Managing Director, Suzuki Australia, Mr. Takeshi Hayasaki said.

Since its launch in February last year, the Suzuki Swift has received world wide accolades taking out Car of The Year titles in various publications and from various organisations in New Zealand, Iceland, UK, China, Ireland, Malaysia, Japan and Australia.

It is envisaged the Swift Sport will follow with the same success pattern with its long list of standard features and equipment and its competitive price tag.

"Suzuki has once again redefined the light passenger car market within Australia, just as we set the benchmark with the Swift, Suzuki has taken the segment to the next level."

"The Swift Sport offers a sporty driving experience for the average motorist, you simply don't need to be a racing car driver to handle and enjoy this vehicle," Mr Takeshi Hayasaki said.

A totally integrated performance package, the Sport differs from the current Swift with revisions and advancements made to the body, interior, chassis, suspension, brakes, transmission and engine.

Available in Australia in a five door manual the Swift Sport is priced from just $23,990 (RRP) with sleek and sporty good looks that are bound to impress.

Powered by a larger capacity sports tuned 1.6 litre VVT engine, the Swift Sport offers buyers a maximum output of 92 kW at 6,800 rpm compared with the Swift's 1.5 litre with 75 kW at 6,000 rpm, offering buyers a greater power to weight ratio than many of the hot hatches currently available on the Australian market, but the Suzuki comes at a much cheaper price.

The five speed manual transmission features an updated short stroke design with comprehensively enhanced shift linkages that give a firm, quick shift feel. The transmission has closer gear ratios selected specifically for the Sport model and provides a slightly lower ratio overall as well as less reach between them.

Suzuki's engineers have worked tirelessly to design engine parts exclusively for the hot hatch including a new cylinder block, new inlet and exhaust camshafts, new pistons, piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, large capacity sports muffler, oil cooler, intake and exhaust manifolds and an electrical throttle body.

Suzuki's commitment to providing buyers with a higher spec performance vehicle with exceptional handling is evident with the improved chassis design, which now features additional right and left hand floor members, as well as an additional rear floor cross member.

The Swift Sport's distinctive aerodynamic body shape includes a newly designed front bumper, rear bumper and splash guard as well as a wide lower grille front air dam.

From behind the Sport looks every bit the 'racer' with a large sport rear spoiler and newly designed rear combination lamps, including reversing lamps that have been separated from the other lights and sit along side each of the twin exhaust outlets.

The value packed, value for money philosophy of Suzuki has not gone astray on the Swift Sport, with a long list of standard features including, four speaker in dash CD stereo system with MP3 capabilities, easy to operate audio system controls mounted on a leather steering wheel, air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows, power steering, remote keyless entry with hazard lamp answer back, UV reducing glass, 6 airbags and ABS brakes.

Careful consideration has gone into the design of every aspect of the car, with numerous little extras giving the vehicle the edge over its competition.

The wraparound look of the glass surfaces is continued in the cabin design and provides excellent all round visibility.

Sporty touches inside include a three spoke all leather steering wheel, a silver garnished shift knob, stainless steel pedal plates, illuminated ring around the speedometer and sports seats in the front.

In a styling cue taken from the popular Suzuki GSX R750 motorbike the dash features an easy to read instrument cluster in which the tachometer dial, has its '0' mark positioned at six o'clock, where the eye falls naturally.

A centrally located information display cell shows the time, fuel consumption, and outside temperature.

As with all Suzuki vehicles, safety is kept at a premium, with the Swift Sport incorporating the latest technologies for safety and security.

Active safety technologies include front, side and curtain airbags, high mounted stop lights, head impact protection, child proof rear door locks and side impact beams.

The Suzuki Swift Sport is available in a manual 5 door hatch and is priced from just $23,990 (RRP). It is on sale around Australia from the 30th September, 2006.

The Suzuki Swift comes with Suzuki CustomerCare, providing customers with peace of mind via a three year/100,000km warranty and three year 24 hour roadside assistance.