Suzuki Vitara plug-in hybrid coming

Suzuki is secretly readying both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of its small Vitara SUV, it has been revealed.

The facelifted Suzuki Vitara Series II range will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2019, when the flagship RT-X diesel version will be axed, the base 1.6-litre petrol engine will continue (instead of a new 1.0-litre turbo engine for Europe) and two 1.4-litre turbo variants will be offered -- Vitara Turbo and Vitara Turbo ALLGRIP.

However, in an Auto Express interview with the Japanese small-car brand's UK boss Dale Wyatt, Suzuki has confirmed it is developing three hybrid powertrains for future Suzuki models including the Vitara.

The first is a 12-volt mild-hybrid for small cars, while larger vehicles would use a more efficient 48-volt system.

Meanwhile, for S-Cross and Vitara SUV models, Suzuki will offer full plug-in hybrid versions.

The high costs associated with the plug-in tech has already ruled out full-hybrid versions of either the Swift or Celerio.

And Wyatt warned that Suzuki might be forced to rethink its current strategy of creating two models for segment.

Currently, the ca- maker aims to offer consumers one 'rational' model and one 'emotional' but in some markets buyers are only drawn to the quirkier Ignis, Swift and Vitara rather than the less exciting Celerio, Baleno and S-Cross.

Suzuki's UK boss says the car-maker is now considering slimming down the range.

In Australia, Suzuki sells the Ignis (priced from $15,990), Jimny ($21,990), Vitara ($22,990), S-Cross ($27,990) and Grand Vitara ($31,990) SUVs, plus the Baleno (from $15,990) and Swift (from $16,990) small cars.

There's no sign yet of a long-overdue replacement for Suzuki's range-topping Grand Vitara, but alongside the Vitara Series II, Suzuki Australia will also release the new-generation Jimny Sierra early next year.