India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki will launch a series of new products in the country. The first product to come out will be the much-awaited SX4 S-Cross crossover, followed by the YRA premium hatchback and the sub-4 metre SUV. While the premium hatch would launch by 2015 end, the XA Alpha based mini SUV would come by first quarter 2016. The SX4 S-Cross crossover is likely to go on sale in the Indian car market in January, 2015.
Unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show as a pre-production concept, the S-Cross crossover will rival against the likes of Renault Duster, Mahindra Scorpio and Nissan Terrano. Based on the SX4 sedan, the crossover is not a sub-4 metre car and might not be eligible for excise duty benefits offered to sub-4 metre length cars in India. That said, the company would share interior components with other Maruti’s including Swift twins to keep its cost down.
If media reports are to be believed, the SX4 S-Cross crossover would be offered in diesel version only. The oil burners on offers are expected to be the 1.6-litre unit and the tried & trusted 1.3-litre multi-jet unit. While the former develops 120bhp of power, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the 1.3L MJD unit produces 90bhp of power when paired to a five-speed gearbox. The company might also add petrol variant, which is expected to be powered by a 1.4-litre engine that also powers the Ciaz mid-sized sedan and the Ertiga MPV.
