Maruti Suzuki S-Cross crossover spied in India for the first time

If you have been looking forward to Maruti's interesting looking XA-Alpha concept turn into a production model and hit the showrooms, you might be saddened to know that the automaker is not planning to launch the car anytime soon.

What Maruti is working on, instead, is the SX4 S-Cross crossover, which made its India debut at the 2014 Auto Expo, earlier this year. The brand is currently busy testing its new crossover on the road, as seen in these latest spy shots.

Shown first at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Cross serves as a replacement to the SX4 hatchback sold globally. For the Indian market, however, Maruti is expected to make a few changes to the vehicle before the official launch. 

When launched, the S-Cross could be offered with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine. This engine is basically a bigger version of Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet unit found in a variety of Maruti models. Also expected is a 6-speed manual gearbox.

With the S-Cross, Maruti will be foraying into the highly competitive mid-size crossover segment. With an expected price range of between Rs 12-15 lakh, the S-Cross will be seen competing against Mahindra XUV500, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano.