GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Suzuki confirms its Dualis dueller

Suzuki has announced it will stage the world debut of an all-new road-ready compact crossover - previewed by the S-Cross concept at the Paris show last September - at the Geneva motor show on March 5.

The Japanese small car specialist’s first genuine C-segment model will be positioned between the smaller Swift-based SX4 ‘Crossover’ (priced from $18,990 and $24,490) and the larger Grand Vitara, which currently starts at $24,990 in three-door form, when it joins the on sale in Australia by the end of this year.

Unlike the hard-core Jimny off-roader ($20,490), the as-yet-unnamed small soft-roader will be Suzuki’s first direct rival for big sellers in the fastest growing segment of Australia’s booming SUV market, including the Nissan Dualis (from $24,990), Hyundai ix35 (from $25,990), Subaru XV (from $28,490), Mitsubishi ASX (from $25,990) and VW Tiguan (from $28,490).

As such, Suzuki Australia believes it could become its second biggest seller after the Swift, which found more than 12,000 customers last year – more than triple that of the Indian-built Alto city-hatch (from $11,790) and Grand Vitara.The production S-Cross will be produced in Hungary alongside the Swift and Splash, which Suzuki’s local arm still hopes to eventually source from Thailand, which has a free-trade agreement with Australia.

At 4310mm long, 1840mm wide and 1600mm high, the S-Cross concept was 20mm shorter, 60mm wider and 15mm lower than the segment-leading Dualis, which attracted more than 13,000 buyers in 2012.

Although the final production version is yet to be revealed in full, this teaser video and images indicate Suzuki’s seventh passenger car line will remain faithful to the five-door S-Cross wagon concept, including its prominent shoulder line and rear-sloping roofline.

However, there are some clear differences, including a less pointed, more bluff front-end formed by a proper Suzuki-trademark clamshell bonnet, upright cross-barred grille and geometric four-sided headlights to replace the show car’s rounded components.

Gone are the Paris show car’s floating A-pillars, two-piece side glass and futuristic wing mirrors and door-handles, and its pair of LED running lights have been moved from the more aggressive front bumper up to within the more conventional headlight assemblies, but a tall ride height and pseudo underbody guards continue the chunky overall theme.

As we’ve reported, the small soft-roader is based on an all-new platform and will come with a new all-wheel drive system, although entry-level models will be front-drive.Four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are expected to eventuate, at least in Europe, with the latter sourced from Fiat as part of a technology sharing deal, but it remains to be seen if an all-important automatic transmission will be offered to Australians.

No further information has been divulged ahead of the car’s Geneva reveal, Suzuki saying only: “With its clear crossover styling, its roomy interior and one of the largest luggage areas in the crossover segment, the new model will offer outstanding versatility.

“The advanced 4WD technology, one of Suzuki's specialist fields, ensures excellent handling and driving enjoyment.”

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