Maruti showed the S-Cross earlier at the 2014 Auto Expo but it was overshadowed by the launch of the Celerio and the unveiling of the Ciaz concept.
The Suzuki S-Cross is more crossover than pure SUV. The S-Cross does get some interesting bits to spice up its otherwise conservative styling though; these include LED daytime-running lamps, which could feature in the top-spec variant in India. The S-Cross is also expected to get 16-inch alloy wheels, scuff plates and black cladding on its exteriors to give it that rugged SUV-ish look. In international markets, the S-Cross comes with Suzuki’s Allgrip 4x4 system, however, it’s not certain if Suzuki will offer the same for the Indian version.
The interior bits, such as the switchgear and steering wheel, are shared with other Maruti models to help to keep costs down.
The S-Cross is expected to come with a 1.6-litre diesel engine. This unit, like the 1.3-litre version that does duty in other Marutis, will also be sourced from Fiat. It churns out a decent 118bhp of power and 32kgm of torque, and is expected to be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Maruti is expected to customise the S-Cross to a fair extent for the Indian market before it launches here next year. The Indian version is expected to feature a two-tone shade and, taking a page from Hyundai’s book, Maruti is also expected to load the S-Cross with a lot of equipment too.
When launched, the S-Cross is likely to be priced at around Rs 13-14 lakh, which will pit it against segment best-sellers like the Duster.
Maruti S-Cross exclusive video reivew