New Zealand's hot hatch segment is currently in the midst of a surging revival. Beginning with the Honda Civic Type R in 2017, a host of new models are set to arrive on our shores providing Kiwi buyers' with a range of fresh choices.
2018 will see SEAT's Leon Cupra and Hyundai's performance i30 N joining the fray, set to go head-to-head against established stars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Focus RS and Audi RS3.
However, those models command a higher sticker price than another new addition to the hatch segment this year, and one of New Zealand's favorite nameplates - the Suzuki Swift Sport.
An all-new turbocharged Swift Sport is about to land in New Zealand and if news from across the ditch is anything to go by, Kiwis are about to fall in love with the little hot hatch battler all over again.
Read our 1.0-litre turbocharged Suzuki Swift RS Road Test
The MY18 Swift Sport has just launched in Australia, where the chief engineer behind the all-new model, Masao Kobo, provided insight into what we can expect from the new Sport.
"We've made the all-new Swift Sport lighter, faster and more stimulating in every way,” said Kobo.
"We know that our customers value a dynamic driving experience above everything else, so for the third-generation Swift Sport our development concept was Ultimate Driving Excitement.”
Kobo and his team have delivered on their concept goal with a myriad of changes headlining the new Swift Sport's credentials.
Along with the 1.4-litre BoosterJet direct injection turbo engine, the new Swift will also feature a lower and wider stance, aggressive styling, new safety and technological features and an 80kg reduction in kerb weight over the outgoing model.
With the first models landing very soon, we don't have to wait long see how these changes will shape the new lighter, faster Suzuki Swift Sport.
Read our full Suzuki Swift Sport Preview
Look out for our first drive of the new Suzuki Swift Sport in NZ Herald and driven.co.nz soon.