Maruti Suzuki S-Cross crossover caught testing ahead of 2015 India debut

Maruti Suzuki will launch the S-Cross crossover in India early next year. A heavily camouflaged test mule of the crossover has been spied testing on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway. The S-Cross will be Maruti Suzuki’s re-entry into the world of premium SUVs, after the overpriced Grand Vitara, which was a dud seller right from the outset.

The S-Cross will be priced much lower than the Grand Vitara and is expected to square off with the Mahindra XUV500. The S-Cross will be assembled in India through the completely knocked down (CKD) route and this is expected to result in pricing that is above the likes of the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. 

A five seat SUV, the S-Cross measures 4300 mm in length, 1765 mm in height, 1575 mm in width, and comes with a 2.600 mm wheelbase. The crossover will be offered with a 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine. Although the international variants of the S-Cross feature a 1.6 liter petrol engine, a petrol powered S-Cross for India seems unlikely. 

Two contradicting set of reports have emerged about the diesel engine on the S-Cross. While some sources assert that the 1.6 liter Fiat Multijet motor will make it to the S-Cross’ engine bay, others are betting on a 1.6 liter, Peugeot HDi diesel engine. Whichever diesel engine Maruti Suzuki picks, it will be a six speed manual gearbox that will handle torque transmission duties on the diesel powered S-Cross. 

D-Segment sedan buyers have migrated enmasse towards SUVs such as the Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Safari Storme, finding the high seating position, tough build and ample ground clearance better suited to Indian roads. Such sedan buyers will be the target of the S-Cross crossover as well.

Maruti Suzuki will offer buyers a refined crossover package with efficient engines, generous equipment and a fantastic after sales service being the major carrots that will be dangled for the sale. A year later, in 2016, the S-Cross crossver will be followed by the XA Alpha compact SUV, which will be priced and positioned much lower.

Spyshots courtesy RedBeluga on MyFiatWorld