Showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo, Maruti Suzuki will be entering the very popular compact SUV segment with the S-Cross crossover early next year. Already on sale internationally, the S-Cross is currently being reworked to adapt to Indian conditions and our reader Kartik Agarwal managed to capture spy shots of the crossover with heavy camouflage while on test in the hills of Manali. Based on the SX4 platform, the S-Cross will be rival to the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport and the likes in the segment.
Competing in the compact SUV segment, the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross has been designed to look more of a crossover than an SUV. The S-Cross measures 4300 mm in length, 1765 mm in width and 1575 mm in height with a 2600 mm wheelbase. The crossover also comes with a raised ground clearance of 170 mm which wouldn’t be able to tackle rough roads with ease. Expect the overall design to be similar to the one shown at the Auto Expo with minimal changes.
In terms of interiors, expect the cabin to get dual tone interiors along with a range of equipment. A lot of parts are expected to come from other Maruti models for economies of scale. The S-Cross also scored a full 5-star in Euro NCAP’s safety tests internationally and we expect decent safety equipment to be offered on the crossover. The top end model is expected to get LED daytime running lights and 16-inch alloy wheels offered as standard.
Engine options will include a 1.6-litre petrol engine that produces 120 PS of power and 156 Nm of torque, paired to a 5-speed manual and a CVT transmission. In terms of diesel power, the S-Cross is powered by a 1.6-litre DDIS engine abroad that makes 120 PS and 320 Nm of torque. Speculations also suggest that the S-Cross could get a 1.6-litre CRDI diesel engine sourced from Peugeot, replacing the DDiS unit and will belt out around 110 HP of power.
The S-Cross also gets the ALLGRIP all-wheel drive system overseas, but it is unsure if Maruti will introduce the 4WD variant in the country, at least initially. Coupled with a potent package and Maruti’s strong after sales service, the crossover will be priced in the range of Rs. 10-13 lakhs in the country and will also compete with arch rival Hyundai’s ix25 also scheduled to launch next year.
