Suzuki S-Cross hybrid right here in 2024, extra hybrids coming

Suzuki Australia will introduce a hybrid model of its S-Cross in early 2024 as a part of a broader plan to supply hybrids throughout most of its vary – and doubtlessly another type of electrification.

“We plan to introduce that into the mannequin vary, the hybrid [S-Cross], and will probably be accessible within the present guise as properly and doubtlessly in two-wheel drive as properly,” stated Suzuki Australia managing director Michael Pachota.

“It’s not a matter of ‘if’ anymore, it’s a matter of ‘when’. It was at all times on the playing cards, it was only a matter of what date we have been going to roll it out.

“The plan was initially to do it in 2023 however in the meanwhile based mostly on provide chain points on a worldwide perspective it’s trying prefer it’s going to be early 2024 – except issues change, in fact.”

Suzuki has “particular” plans to introduce additional electrified fashions.

“By 2025, in case you take a look at the [voluntary] CO2 requirements that the FCAI have put collectively… The best way we are able to meet it’s only by introducing electrified expertise,” Mr Pachota stated.

“We’ll doubtlessly have hybrid principally throughout the vary, and perhaps some type of electrification down there however we are able to’t affirm something on that simply but.”

The S-Cross Full Hybrid has been revealed in Europe, the place it’s constructed, and joins the prevailing 48V mild-hybrid fashions not offered right here.

It’s accessible with both front-wheel drive or Suzuki’s AllGrip all-wheel drive system.

Sharing its powertrain with the Vitara Full Hybrid launched earlier in 2022, it encompasses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, a 140V lithium-ion battery and inverter, a motor generator unit, and 12V lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries.

Suzuki lists outputs of 85kW of energy and 138Nm of torque.

It’s mated with what Suzuki calls an Auto Gear Shift, a six-speed automated handbook transmission.

There’s no clutch pedal and the onboard laptop picks the gears, however the system has to dip the clutch for you, have interaction the brand new gear after which keep on.

Suzuki claims WLTP gas economic system of 5.2L/100km and CO2 emissions of 118g/km within the front-wheel drive Full Hybrid, rising to five.8L/100km and 132g/km with all-wheel drive.

The S-Cross Full Hybrid does the 0-100km/h dash in 12.7 seconds – extra of a saunter, contemplating the mild-hybrid fashions take 9.5 to 10.2 seconds. The all-wheel drive Full Hybrid is slowest at 13.5 seconds.

Within the UK, the S-Cross Full Hybrid is priced at £26,749 (A$47,924) in front-wheel drive Movement guise and £31,549 (A$56,524) for the all-wheel drive Extremely.

They’re priced £1750 ($3135) increased than their mild-hybrid counterparts, that are provided within the UK solely with a six-speed handbook.

The S-Cross vary is significantly completely different in Australia. Although Suzuki Australia additionally sources the mannequin from Hungary, all fashions right here characteristic a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine – sans electrification, and with outputs of 103kW and 220Nm.

The one transmission is a six-speed torque-converter automated.

The bottom mannequin is priced at $40,490 earlier than on-road prices, whereas the Status is $44,490 record.

It acquired a complete replace this yr, with contemporary exterior styling, extra expertise, an overhauled inside with higher infotainment, and normal all-wheel drive.

The corporate has stated it hopes to as soon as once more provide extra inexpensive front-wheel drive fashions, nonetheless.

Australia has to date missed out on a variety of electrified Suzuki fashions.

Delicate-hybrid variations of the Ignis, Swift and Vitara are provided in Europe and the UK, markets which completely get the Swace small wagon and Throughout mid-sized SUV.

The latter are evenly restyled variations of the Corolla hybrid wagon and RAV4 plug-in hybrid not offered right here.

In Suzuki’s residence market of Japan, there’s additionally a variety of mild-hybrid kei vehicles and small folks movers and crossovers, in addition to the hybrid Landy, a rebadged Toyota Noah.

MORE: All the pieces Suzuki S-Cross