Paris show: Suzuki teases S-Cross concept

SUZUKI has revealed a pair of teaser images previewing a new compact crossover concept called the S-Cross, ahead of its first public appearance at the Paris motor show on September 27.

The company describes the C-segment SUV as a model that embodies “emotion, quality and aerodynamics ... with distinctive dynamic lines that start on the front bumper, sweep across the doors, and continue to the rear”.

It is not clear at this stage whether the five-door hatch is a replacement for the current SX4 tall-boy crossover that has been on sale in Australia since 2007, or a larger standalone model.

A single digital image of the car points toward a curvaceous nose design, with bulbous wheelarches, large rectangular grille, pronounced bumper vents and eye-catching LED daytime running strips.

An accompanying sketch gives an idea of the side-on design, with the bonnet curves complemented by a high window-line, pronounced side slash along both doors and unusual triangular C-pillar.

The images suggest a more sporty and low-slung design than the Japanese company’s current fleet of SUVs and crossovers, perhaps in response to the success of edgy C-segment vehicles like the Nissan Juke.

Left: Suzuki XA Alpha concept.

Suzuki promises “detailed information” about the S-Cross will emerge when the covers are removed at the Paris show.

Today’s announcement comes less than a month after an unidentified Suzuki crossover was snapped by spy photographers undergoing testing in Spain while wearing heavy body camouflage.

Even through the heavy body cladding, it is clear from the rounded nose design and compact dimensions that the test vehicle is a prototype version of the car to be displayed at the Paris show.

The S-Cross will be the second SUV concept displayed by Suzuki this year, following the rugged Indian-designed XA Alpha from the Delhi show in January.

While the XA will initially be sold in developing markets such as India – one of Suzuki’s largest global markets – Suzuki Australia communications manager Andrew Ellis told GoAuto that the company would be keeping a close eye on the car once it enters production in 2013.

“As with the Alto (Suzuki’s Indian-built sub-light car), India has shown it can design, engineer and manufacture a car that we are more than happy to take in Australia,” he said.

“We are always looking at anything we can do, since we only participate in just under 50 per cent of the market, and obviously the more models you have the greater opportunities there are to sell,” he said.

Mr Ellis said the current-generation SX4 would receive a mild facelift next month, bringing cosmetic tweaks and extra specifications.

The upgrade is expected to see the current car through to its replacement in Australia in 2014 – possibly by a production version of the S-Cross.