A new era for Suzuki cars has begun in Malaysia under the stewardship of its new distributor Naza Eastern Motors. And the company's first order of business is to launch one of the brand's most iconic and highly-demanded nameplate: the Suzuki Swift Sport.

The fourth-generation Japanese hot hatch lands in Malaysia packing a 1.4-litre 'Boosterjet' engine, which is essentially a four-pot turbo good for 140hp and 230Nm of twist. So, we won't be getting the mild hybrid powertrain that's sold in the UK.

Malaysian customers will also be missing out on the option of rowing their own gears, with a six-speed auto being the only transmission offered in our market. The upside her is that it should be more engaging than the CVT sold previously, on paper at least.

Standard features include LED projector headlights, 16-inch wheels, semi-bucket seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and seven-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay support. It's a fairly straightforward but sufficient package for a model that was always known for its simplicity and fuss-free approach to fun behind the wheel.

Fully imported from Japan, the 2021 Suzuki Swift Sport is priced at RM139,900 in Malaysia. It is offered in four expectedly sporty colours - yellow, white, blue and red - and comes with three years of warranty. The car is now available for viewing at Suzuki Malaysia's first 3S flagship showroom located in Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya.

So, will you be dropping by to place a booking this weekend?