Maruti Suzuki S-cross petrol to launch next month

Maruti Suzuki will launch the petrol-powered S-cross in India next month. The model was revealed at Auto Expo 2020 and will continue to retail via Maruti’s Nexa chain of dealerships. While the price announcement of the S-Cross petrol was planned this month, the launch has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

As is the case with the recently launched Vitara Brezza facelift, the S-cross swaps out the previously offered 90hp, 1.3-litre turbo-diesel engine for a BS6-compliant 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. The unit, which is also under the hoods of the Ciaz, Ertiga and XL6, puts out 105hp and 138Nm of torque and will be available with 5-speed manual and 4-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox options. However, Suzuki’s SHVS mild-hybrid tech will only be on offer with the S-Cross petrol-automatic. The outgoing S-cross diesel was available with this technology on all variants.

Apart from the major mechanical change, the S-cross petrol remains identical to the diesel model. The crossover received refreshed styling and more equipment back in 2017 and is now nearing the end of its life-cycle. The S-cross is likely to be replaced by a production version of the Futuro-e concept SUV that was shown at the Auto Expo.

The switch to petrol power should lead to a slight price drop when compared to the outgoing S-cross diesel, which was priced from Rs 8.81 to 11.44 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The S-cross petrol will most likely be available in four trim levels – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha - with the higher three getting the automatic option. The S-cross competes in the lower half of the midsize SUV segment against the likes of the now petrol-only Renault Duster and Nissan Kicks, along with the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.