Maruti Suzuki’s crossover the S-Cross, displayed at the 2014 Auto Expo, might be launched in early 2015. The crossover based on the SX4 platform is already on sale in international markets and was recently launched in China.
The S-Cross is a crossover set to enter the exciting compact SUV segment in India. The vehicle will feature a more powerful version of the M16A 1.6-litre VVT petrol engine producing 115bhp and 156Nm of torque. Diesel power will come from a new 1.6-litre MultiJet engine churning out 118bhp and 320Nm of torque. The diesel variant will get a six-speed manual gearbox and the petrol might be offered with a five-speed manual or a seven-speed CVT with paddle shifters. It will be available in 2WD and AWD options.
The vehicle features conventional styling all around with the front getting LED daytime-running lamps (DRLs), black body cladding and 16-inch alloy wheels spicing up its looks. It is rumoured Maruti might spruce up its looks further for the Indian car market and add more equipment and a two-tone shade.
In the safety front, the car comes equipped with seven airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist System (BAS). These features will be a standard fare on the top-end models.
Maruti’s big ticket launch, the Celerio, managed to grab all the attention and this vehicle wasn’t noticed much. It was earlier rumoured that the car will be launched in 2014, but Maruti may not do it as the Ciaz sedan set to replace the SX4 will make its market entry this year.
The S-Cross at 4,300mm won’t qualify for the excise sops and will be more expensive than the Ford EcoSport. It will rather go up against the Renault Duster and is expected to cost around Rs 12-13 lakh.
Source: ACI
Have a look at our video on the S-Cross shot at the Auto Expo