What is termed a ‘compact SUV’ that heralds a future production vehicle is to be revealed by Suzuki at September’s Frankfurt IAA.
A short media release says the iV-4 (‘individuality’, ‘Vehicle’, ‘4 wheel drive’) is “an indication of the direction which will be taken with the future model to be added to the company’s renowned SUV line-up”. The styling uses existing elements, such as a clam shell shaped bonnet and a five-element grille. Other details are yet to be revealed but the vehicle’s silhouette can be seen in this short video.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Suzuki’s existing SUV* range consists of the Jimny and Escudo/(Grand) Vitara, with the obvious gap being any kind of rival for the Ford EcoSport. This is expected to be addressed in 2015, when an additional model, said to be codenamed XA, reaches production.
Maruti Suzuki displayed the XA Alpha, a concept which looked much like a shrunken Kia Sportage, at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012. A production model would not be launched before 2015, a company executive told the media at the event.
Maruti Suzuki might build the new model at its forthcoming plant in Gujarat. Due to open in 2015-16, it will be the first for India’s biggest carmaker outside the northern state of Haryana. The XA is also said to be scheduled for production at Magyar Suzuki’s Esztergom plant in Hungary.
*The SX4 and the new SX4 S-Cross are defined by their maker as crossovers, not SUVs
Author: Glenn Brooks
