The motoring public's first view of the new way forward came at the 2002 Paris Motor Show where the Concept-S was unveiled. It was a rally-inspired concept vehicle that reflected influences from Suzuki's two-and four-wheel racing activities and combined the benefits of Suzuki's racing heredity with cutting-edge technological features. In India, got to see the same car at the Auto Expo in January 2004. Visit Maruti Suzuki website...

Next was the Concept-S2, an open-top sports car in which Suzuki evolved its new-model concept into a form with a more laid-back personality. Unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Concept-S2 was dimensionally similar to the new-generation production vehicle toward which we were steadily working - a vehicle to be known as the Swift.

Plans for the Swift took shape around a totally new mindset - to create a Japanese car developed in Europe for today's global market.

The result is an innovative, sporty and elegant design that has genuine international appeal. Twenty-one engineers and designers from India spent considerable time contributing to the design process of the Swift. It was the exacting European standards that were set as the benchmark.

The new Swift's handling reflects a European focus while meeting our local requirements. The suspension has been modified to deal with tough Indian road conditions, while retaining the European handling characteristics. Ground clearance has been increased, by using bigger tyres to tackle speed breakers. The engineers developed a totally new chassis and refined it through track tests and through a programme of rigorous road testing. The result is handling that satisfies the most exacting motorists.

Finally, at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the world press saw the Swift a vehicle that embodies Suzuki's unique DNA in a way that's certain to generate excitement about our new vision for the compact-cargenre.