Suzuki Ignis compact crossover debuts at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

Suzuki has debuted the compact crossover concept, the Ignis, at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the recently launched Baleno platform, the sub-four metre crossover will rival the Ford EcoSport in India.

The design of the Suzuki Ignis is similar to the iM-4 that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The large headlamps dominate the front along with along with the chrome mesh grille. The crossover gets very interesting looking U-shaped Led DRLs that make it look premium. The flared wheel arches give the vehicle a butch look, though the rounded panels are kind of cute. The rear profile isn’t the best sight with horizontal tail lamps and thick black run strip. Also on display is the Ignis-Trail concept, which gets larger wheels and few other tweaks for greater rough-road usability.

The interior is different from things we are used to seeing in India. It gets a large touch screen infotainment system with navigation, dual tone dash board, rectangular AC vents and a large colourful instrument cluster. The car on display in Tokyo uses the 1.2-litre Dual-Jet petrol engine tuned to produce 90bhp and 118Nm of torque mated to the CVT transmission. 

The India-bound vehicle will have a few changes. Firstly, the interior layout will be similar to that of the Baleno and the engine options will include both the petrol and diesel drivetrains. The petrol will continue to be the 1.2-litre K-Series unit having an output of 83bhp and 115Nm of torque. It will power the front wheels via the five-speed manual or the CVT AT transmission. We are hoping that the diesel version gets the 90bhp/200Nm 1.3-litre unit from the Ciaz with the SHVS hybrid technology.  There won’t be a diesel automatic at the moment and it will continue to use the five-speed manual transmission.

The Suzuki Ignis should make its India debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February. The compact crossover will be manufactured in India, alongside the Baleno and will be sold through the Nexa dealerships. The Ignis will be positioned between the Baleno and the S-Cross in the price range of Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.