Paris show: Revised Suzuki S-Cross set for debut

SUZUKI is going back to where it all started for its S-Cross small SUV at the Paris motor show, this time to reveal the facelifted version with freshened styling and new powertrains.

The first iteration was unveiled at the 2012 show in the French capital, and now the revised version will make its debut at the same venue in late September.

Replacing the 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine will be a choice of two smaller-volume Boosterjet turbocharged engines – an 82kW/160Nm 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder from the recently-released Baleno GLX, and a 103kW/220Nm 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder that powers the Vitara Turbo.

Suzuki Australia has not yet released timing for an Australian arrival, and it is still unknown if Australian buyers will get one or both powertrains.

The most notable changes have come to the exterior styling, with Suzuki giving the new S-Cross a more rugged front fascia with a more upright, protruding grille with vertical chrome bars reminiscent of the classic Jeep grille.

The front bumper contains an abundance of black plastic that extends to the wheel arches, sides and around to the rear bumper.

The S-Cross was launched in Australia in December 2013 as a replacement for the SX4 crossover, aiming to challenge models such as the well-selling Nissan Dualis.

Priced between $22,990 and $34,990 at the time of launch, it made a reasonable sales impression in its first year of sales before easing off later in its life cycle.

2014 was its strongest sales year when it recorded 2238 total units, with that number nearly halving to 1211 in 2015.

2016 is on track to be its slowest-selling year, registering just 314 sales to the end of July.

However, it has outsold or at least kept pace with some other crossover/SUVs so far this year, including the Fiat 500X (333), Peugeot 2008 (239) and the Citroen C4 Cactus (129) released in February.