- It is likely to get the 1.5L petrol motor with SHVS mild-hybrid tech.
- Transmission options will include a 5MT and 4AT.
- It is likely to launch in December 2019.
Maruti Suzuki is working on a facelift for the Vitara Brezza, which will also debut a petrol motor on the compact SUV. And now, we can confirm that Maruti Suzuki is set to introduce a petrol engine on the S-Cross towards the end of this year.
The powertrain in question is likely to be the all-new 1.5-litre K15B four-cylinder motor that already powers the new-gen Ertiga and the Ciaz facelift. And similar to the other two cars, we can expect it to get Suzuki’s SHVS dual-battery mild-hybrid system. The motor makes 103.5bhp and 138Nm on the Ertiga and Ciaz. Transmission options will include a five-speed manual box and a ubiquitous four-speed torque-converter automatic.
Given that the Indian automotive industry, and Maruti Suzuki in particular, is going through a sales turmoil, the introduction of a petrol version in the S-Cross and Vitara Brezza will give some reprisal for the country's largest carmaker. Moreover, the 1.3L Fiat-sourced diesel motor will be phased out before 1 April 2020, and Maruti Suzuki is yet to announce on its diesel strategy for its larger cars. That said, the company had said it will consider upgrading the new 1.5L DDiS225 engine to BS-VI compliance if there is sufficient demand from customers.
