Suzuki claims S-Cross firsts

Suzuki Australia says its new SX4 S-Cross delivers class-leading fuel consumption, despite offering best-in-class passenger space and luggage capacity, and a power to weight ratio that eclipses its two closest rivals.

The secret to the all-new small crossover’s efficiency is a relatively low-output 86kW/156Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, combined with weight savings of at least 100kg over the smaller SX4 it replaces.

In base GL five-speed manual form, the S-Cross weighs just 1085kg, increasing to 1125kg for the seven-speed CVT auto version, and 1190kg for the CVT-only GLX with all-wheel drive.

The result is combined fuel consumption of just 5.8L/100km for 2WD CVT models (down from 7.3L/100km for the SX4 2WD) and 6.2L/100km for AWDs – down from 8.0L/100km.

More importantly, that means the S-Cross is more efficient that its nearest C-segment passenger car and SUV rivals, including the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus (6.6L/100km), Holden Cruze (6.8), Hyundai i30 (7.1), Mitsubishi Lancer and Volkswagen Tiguan (7.3), Holden Trax (7.6), Mitsubishi ASX (7.7) and Mazda3 and Nissan Dualis (8.2).

Only Ford's 1.0-litre EcoSport betters the S-Cross at 5.7L/100km -- but it's a manual-only affair and the 1.5-litre auto consumes 6.5L/100km.

Aiding the new Suzuki’s efficiency is an engine with lighter crankshaft, pistons and con-rods, more extensive use of high-tensile steel in its body (which is claimed to be 25 per cent more torsionally rigid) and a smoother roofline and under-floor covers, reducing aerodynamic drag from 0.40 to 0.33Cd.

Despite the benchmark consumption, Suzuki says its 76.4kW/tonne power-to-weight ratio eclipses that of the Trax (75.1) and Dualis (73.2), against which it was benchmarked, although the ASX tops the list at 81.2kW/tonne.

Suzuki will market the S-Cross as a crossover hatch rather than an SUV, because it is closely related to the production version of the iV-4 concept, which it will label as an SUV when it arrives here in the second half of next year.

Both the S-Cross and iV-4 are based on the same new lightweight platform and powered by the same 1.6-litre petrol and (in about 12 months) diesel engines, and both models will be produced at Suzuki’s plant in Hungary.

Suzuki also claims the S-Cross offers class-leading space, including total cargo space of 1269 litres and a 430-litre boot (VDA) – more than the Dualis (410 litres), ASX (416) and Trax (356).

It also says the base S-Cross GL offers a tighter (10.4-metre) turning circle than the ASX and Dualis ST (10.6), and the Trax LS (10.9), which is the only model of this trio to come with a CD player.

In addition, unlike the Dualis Ti-L, ASX Aspire and Trax LTZ, HID headlights are fitted as standard on the S-Cross GLX, which also comes with dual-zone climate-control (fitted only to the Dualis Ti-L), a driver’s knee airbag (fitted only to the ASX Aspire) and satellite-navigation (unavailable on Trax LTZ).

Suzuki also claims the S-Cross brings the world’s first double sliding glass panoramic sunroof, which along with leather seat trim, is fitted as standard in the GLX Prestige flagship.

All S-Cross models come well equipped with seven airbags, electronic traction/stability control, anti-skid brakes and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, plus Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and alloy wheels.

To this, the mid-range GLX adds a reversing camera, touch-screen navigation system, keyless starting, 17-inch alloys, HID headlights, driving lamps, paddle shifters, dual-zone climate-control and rear parking sensors.

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