Check out: 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport specifications

The car will be lighter than the one it will replace.The 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport, the performance derivative of the upcoming third generation hatchback, will phase out the existing normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine in favor of the new 1.4-litre BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine.

The outgoing 1.6-litre mill produces 138 PS while the downsized turbo unit puts out 140 PS. While the difference in the power output is not much, the next-gen model which will be based on a new platform is expected to benefit from significant weight savings.

The driver focused variant will continue to feature a 6-speed manual transmission and a suspension set up that is tuned for enhanced handling. New bumpers, aerodynamic body kits and larger alloy wheels are the other elements that would separate the Sport variant from regular Swift variants.

The 2018 Swift which was leaked in the form of sketches at a dealer conference earlier this year gets significant design overhaul. The tight fitting flat roofline is the only visual connection the new car has to its predecessor. The front bold front fascia receives a larger grille and peeled back headlamps. The rear fascia too has nothing in common with the current gen car.

The 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport will make its world debut a few months after the regular version which is expected to premiere sometime in 2017. Maruti opted not to bring the first two generations of the Swift Sport to India, so it’s unclear if it will change with the third generation model.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com