PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Suzuki Ignis Crossover unveiled

Suzuki has revealed the Euroepean version of its all-new Ignis small SUV, which first appeared at last year's Tokyo motor show and will go on sale in Europe -- and likely Australia -- in January next year.

Set to be publicly revealed at next month's Paris motor show alongside the Japanese car-maker's facelifted S-Cross, which is due in local showrooms late this year, the Ignis is a fractionally longer, near-production-ready version of the iM-4 concept revealed at the 2015 Geneva show.

The new Ignis revives a model name last seen on sale Down Under back in 2005 and was spied undergoing development testing earlier this year.

Said to conjure images of the original SC100, the Ignis keeps the iM-4 show car’s minimalist-looks but grows in length for global markets by as much as 150mm.

That's because the original iM-4 concept was created to comply with strict Japanese Kei car rules.

The longer Ignis will also help appease some markets that thought, at just 20mm longer than the Jimny Sierra, the new SUV needed to be bigger to not confuse buyers.

The original iM-4 concept measured in at 3693mm long, 1709mm wide, 1556mmm high and had a wheelbase of 2438mm.

Unfortunately, according to the Suzuki insider motoring.com.au spoke to, the extra length doesn't realise any more interior space. Instead, it's used to give the Ignis SUV more visual punch by the addition of larger front and rear bumpers.

Under the skin, the pint-sized SUV will be offered with either two- or four-wheel drive and will be powered by the option of a 1.2-litre, 1.0-litre turbo and new mild hybrid.

The mild hybrid powertrain, already previewed on the iM-4 concept, comprises a 1.2-litre engine, integrated starter/generator, lithium-ion battery pack and brake energy regeneration.

Thanks to a kerb weight expected to be around 900kg, efficiency will be a key selling point for the new model. Suzuki hopes that, and the level of customisation it will offer -- at least in Europe -- will more youthful buyers.

Suzuki Australia has already publicly stated that it wants the Ignis in its line-up as part of its desire to expand sales to beyond 30,000 by 2017.

Fresh from launching its new Baleno small car in Australia, Suzuki is also expected to reveal a new Swift light hatch next year.

The go-anywhere Jimny, meanwhile, will have to soldier on for another couple of years, according to our Suzuki insider. Its replacement has now been confirmed but arrives some time in 2019.