Suzuki Swift Sport• Power up to 135bhp
• Hot hatch styling
• Six-speed gearbox

Full details of the next-generation Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch have been revealed ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

It will be an affordable performance car to rival the Ford Fiesta Zetec-S, MINI Cooper and Abarth 500.

It’s fitted with a more advanced 1.6-litre petrol engine than the outgoing model, with power increased to 134bhp – 9bhp more than before. Fuel economy is also improved, but full figures are still to be released.

A specially developed six-speed manual gearbox is fitted along with enhanced suspension and uprated brakes.

The body is stiffer, further improving handling and making the Swift Sport safer than the 2006 model. Seven airbags are fitted – including curtain and driver’s knee ‘bags – and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard.

Euro NCAP crash test results have already awarded the standard 2010 Swift the full five stars, making it one of the safest small cars on sale.

By Andy Goodwin, senior web journalist