Maruti Suzuki India is all set to launch a series of new cars in the Indian car market. In order to tap the growing sub-compact and compact SUV segment, the company is planning to launch two new cars in the country in 2015. The first product will be the highly anticipated S-Cross SX4 crossover, which is scheduled to go on sale by early next year, followed by XA-Alpha based compact SUV by 2015 end.
The Maruti S-Cross crossover-SUV concept was unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show and it will compete against the likes of Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. The company has slightly tweaked the concept shown back in February to make it road compatible. It features a crossover type styling instead of the upright SUV stance. To offer a sporty character to it, the vehicle gets high ground clearance, black plastic cladding all around the body and metal scuff plates under the bumper. It is also expected to get the ‘Allgrip’ all-wheel drive system.
The S-Cross is 4,300mm long, 1,765mm wide and 1,575mm high, and it comes with a large wheelbase of 2,600mm. The top-spec model is likely to feature the LED daytime running lamps and leather seats, automatic AC and leather wrapped steering wheel. To achieve competitive pricing, the S-Cross SX4 will be loaded with features that are accessible in other Maruti cars. It is likely to share its interior equipments with Ertiga and Swift.
Under the hood, the Suzuki S-Cross SX4 will get the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 118bhp and 320Nm of torque. The gasoline version is likely to get the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 120bhp and 156Nm of torque. Both the engines will be paired to a six-speed manual transmission gearbox. If media reports are to be believed, the company might also add the smaller 1.3-litre multi-jet and 1.4-litre K-series petrol engine to S-Cross.
