The S-Cross concept (above) as shown at the Paris Motor Show will kick off a bit of a busy period for Suzuki, and at least one new model due every year over the next five years. OK, so maybe that's nothing compared to Audi's one-a-month launch schedule, but for conservative Suzuki, that's a positive rush.
The S-Cross is a forerunner of next summer's all new Suzuki crossover, which will kinda replace the existing SX4 hatchback (although the S-Cross is bigger, leaving room for a possible smaller, Swift-based crossover beneath...).
Suzuki plans to launch models which exceed the environmental performance ceiling in their segments. The production model of the S-Cross concept will be amongst the lowest CO2 emitting cars in the crossover C-segment.
Since launching the Jimny (originally the LJ series) in 1970, Suzuki has expanded its line-up of off-road vehicles to include models such as the Vitara and Grand Vitara; earning the company a reputation as the pioneer of compact sport utility vehicles. Meanwhile, Suzuki has gained incomparable know-how in the development of compact passenger cars. Since the latter half of the 1980s, the company has been refining its performance technologies in the field of motor sport. In 2006, Suzuki united its advanced technologies in the form of the SX4 sport crossover – a car that was well ahead of the herd in the crossover category in Europe and has driven its growth.
The S-Cross concept, in its specially created Crystal Green Metallic body colour, looks pretty groovy and also pretty close to being production-ready, although it's likely that the cool wraparound, pillarless windscreen won't make it through to showrooms. Sales will start in Ireland next summer.
In the meantime, Suzuki will be launching an updated version of the Splash hatchback and a new GLX+ Swift that will include Bluetooth, rear spoiler, cruise control and privacy glass.
