The Suzuki SA-310

The Suzuki SA-310 was introduced in 1984 to complement the Suzuki line of cars with a compact car. The Suzuki SA-310 was to compete with the Daihatsu Charade, Nissan Micra and Opel Corsa. In 1986 a few minor details changed and the car was named "Swift" instead. General Motors bought the concept and sold it as "Chevrolet Sprint" in the USA. The Suzuki SA-310 was sold in the GA and GL versions, the GL being the luxury car. Four Japanese people may easily fit but for taller Europeans the car should be considered suitable for two adults and two children.

The Suzuki SA-310 has a new purpose built engine entirely made out of light alloy weighing only 63 kg. The power plant is made for fuel efficiency, not speed. The strength of 50 BHP is used for torque, not speed, making the car climb hills with unexpected ease. Fuel consumption, or lack thereof, is the Suzuki SA-310's strongest point. I drive about 70 miles to the gallon (1 liter per 23 kilometers). At any speed the car is exceptionally quiet thanks to the concept of the engine itself plus good sound insulation. The gear box shifts gears lightly and precisely as expected from a Japanese car. Unlike the new engine, the suspension is based on that of the Suzuki Alto making it a bit awkward. Taking a corner carefully but speedy makes the car understeer, taking a corner more sharply and abruptly creates oversteer. Be aware. Under normal circumstances the combination of leaf springs and regular McPhresons make the car stiff and enjoyable on long rides. It car does not go like your average Japanese flying carpet or even worse: the American waterbed. Road handling, breaking and passive safety are poor compared to a modern 1998 car, thereby keeping the driver sharp and awake. Poor passive safety makes excellent active safety!

In due time the Suzuki SA-310 proved to be exceptionally reliable. In 1997 Suzuki started advertising with photographs of father giving his still shiny and fresh Suzuki SA-310 to his daughter. I drove the car for over 250,000 kilometers and have never had a single defect.

Technical data

Engine

Engine type Four stroke cycle, water cooled

Number of cylinders 3

Piston displacement 993 cc

Bore, stroke 74.0 mm, 77.0 mm

Horsepower 50 bhp at 5800 rpm

Torque 75 Nm at 3600 rpm

Compression ratio 8.8 : 1

Carburetor AISAN two barrel down draft

Transmission 5 speed manual gear box

Weight of engine 63 kg

Engine lubricant BP 10W40

Drawn engine

Sizes and brakes

Total weight (excluding audio system) 675 kg

Total weight (including audio system, fuel and all added electronic gadgets)
As measured 15 April 1999 at the CNC lorry weighing bridge 760 kg

Maximum tolerable weight 1130 kg

Length, width, height 359 cm, 155 cm, 135 cm

Chassis layout front engine, front wheel drive

Brakes, front disc brake (floating caliper type)

Brakes, rear drum brake (leading and trailing)

Braking from 100 KM/h 47 meters

Tyres and pressure 145SR12 (Michelin MX) at 220 kPa (2.2 km/cm², 31 psi)

Suspension front strut, rear leaf spring

Shock absorbers Koni

Drawn car

Acceleration

Acceleration from zero

0 - 60 km/h 5.7 sec.

0 - 80 km/h 9.3 sec.

0 - 100 km/h 14.9 sec

0 - 120 km/h 24.0 sec.

Acceleration in 4th gear

60 - 80 km/h 7.5 sec.

60 - 100 km/h 15.7 sec.

60 - 120 km/h 26.6 sec.

Acceleration in 5th gear

60 - 80 km/h 10.3 sec.

60 - 100 km/h 23.0 sec.

60 - 120 km/h 40.2 sec.

Difference between speed on indicator and real speed
As measured by Dutch police and "Veilig Verkeer Nederland" in the "Project snelheidsbeheersing Flevoland" on 21 March 1998

50 km = 45 km

80 km = 70 km

100 km = 93 km

Official top speed 145 KM/h

Personal best top speed
(off hill, little weight, wind in the back, long road) 170 KM/h

Acceleration chart

Miscellaneous

Sound pressure level at

60 km/h 65 dB (A)

80 km/h 67 dB (A)

100 km/h 70 dB (A)

120 km/h 73 dB (A)

136 km/h 76 dB (A)

Standard Suzuki SA-310 GL in 1984 Dfl. 15.295,-

Bought by first owner on November 23rd 1984 Dfl. 16.140,-

Bought by me on July 17th 1991 Dfl. 7.000,-

Audio system in 1996 Dfl. 15.000,-

Anti-rust treatment by Anti-rust center Jan van Egmond

Serviced by Suzuki Witte

Publications about this car (Dutch): AutoVisie magazine
1983 issue 26, page 62 - 63

AutoKampioen magazine
1984 issue 3, pages 21 - 25

Kluwer Vraagbaak SA310/Swift
Benzinemodellen 1984 - 1989
ISBN 90-201-2403-X

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