A Suzuki spokesman has told just-auto that the production version of its YAD project small SUV will be launched in the UK “in early spring 2015”.
According to internet forums, this additional model might see the Vitara name revived. Suzuki’s man would not be drawn on the speculation, stating only that he was “unaware of any official name for the new B segment SUV as yet”.
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This additional model has has been heralded by several design studies. First up was the XA Alpha, a concept which looked much like a shrunken Kia Sportage. This was displayed 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 that event. The XA Alpha reportedly used the S-2 (Swift) platform but the production model will use the platform introduced by the S-Cross.
The production model has been confirmed for European build at Suzuki’s Hungarian plant. The most recent preview, in the form of the iV-4 concept (‘individuality’, ‘Vehicle’, ‘4 wheel drive’), debuted at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2013. Dimensions of this concept were quoted as follows: length 4,215 mm; width 1,850mm; height 1,665 mm; wheelbase 2,500mm.
The Changhan Suzuki joint venture will build the model in China from 2015, Suzuki announced at last month’s Beijing motor show.
