New compact SUV from Suzuki

By Gerry Murphy

We will be hearing a lot more from Suzuki over the next few months with a number of new cars on the way from the Japanese car maker. First-up is the latest incarnation of the SX4 S-Cross, a compact SUV that they hope will attract new customers to the brand.

First launched in 2013, the S-Cross gets a facelift that takes it to a higher level both visually and internally. To say that this is a facelift is not telling the whole story. They have jacked it up to become a higher car, have added soft-touch materials to the interior and a range of new, smaller engines that pack more punch and deliver better fuel economy.

At the official launch in Wales last week, Suzuki chiefs told us that there will be a new emphasis on the Irish market with more input from the UK and a concerted effort to make the brand a household name here.

The new model will go on sale here in mid-October with prices starting from €20,995 for SZ4 1.0 petrol with manual transmission. Like many other manufacturers, Suzuki’s 1.0-litre three cylinder Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine will give us 9% more torque than the outgoing 1.6-litre petrol with 11% lower CO2 emissions and 10% improved combined fuel consumption.

It will also come with a choice of 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engines or 1.6-litre DDiS diesel engines. The 1.6 DDiS 2WD emits just 106g/km of CO2 with fuel consumption of 4.1L/100km on the combined cycle. There will be three grades; SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5 with all three equipped with seven airbags and ESP as standard. ALLGRIP, Suzuki’s 4WD system will be an option on all three engines, a technology that has stood the test of tie and is also available on the Suzuki Vitara.

All SZ4 models are equipped as standard with seven airbags, ESP, Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, air conditioning, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, heated door mirrors, black protective skid plates and black wheel arch extensions.

SZ-T at €24,995 adds LED Projector Headlamps, satellite navigation, polished 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking camera, front and rear parking proximity sensors, Dual Zone automatic air conditioning, front fog lamps, rear privacy glass, silver roof rails and silver rear skid plates. Suzuki introduced the SZ-T model specifically with Fleet buyers in mind, although it is available to retail customers as well.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.