Ken Gratton•3 Feb 2014
NEWS
SPY PICS: Suzuki's small soft-roader Oz bound
New competitor to Trax, Yeti, Captur, Juke and EcoSport is based on iv-4 design studySuzuki is poised to dive into the rapidly expanding pool of small 'urban' SUVs with a new model previewed by the iv-4 concept in Frankfurt last year.
Spy photographers from Automedia caught the new model, which is not officially named yet, as it recently underwent testing in Swedish Lapland. According to the Automedia chaps, the new car will apparently go into production at Suzuki's factory in Hungary in 2015. It's a monocoque design with an East/West (transversely mounted) engine that will drive through either front or all-wheel drive layouts.
The new model is definitely confirmed for Australia, according to Suzuki Australia Communications Manager, Andrew Ellis.
"Timing-wise would be early next year," he said.
Based on the earlier precedent of the S-Cross, the new Suzuki is expected to debut in production form at this year's Paris motor show in September.
It will make for a concentrated Suzuki model range of off-roaders and SUVs in Australia, especially with the return of the Jimny later this year, but Andrew Ellis is buoyed by that.
"We've got something to cater for everybody," he simply said.
Hampered in this market by the lack of stability control, the Jimny is in store for an upgrade that will ensure it complies with safety standards for sale in Australia.
"We're confident of getting that later this year," Ellis said. "Japan has said they will fix that for us... quarter three or, at very latest, quarter four."
– with Automedia
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Written byKen Gratton
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