Spied - Maruti SX4 S-Cross caught on test for the first time

Post its Indian debut at the Auto Expo earlier this year, the Maruti SX4 S-Cross has started road tests in India, ahead of a launch reported to take place in early 2015.

The S-Cross, which had its global premiere in March 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show, is a replacement for the SX4 hatchback in international markets. In India the S-Cross will be positioned as a Duster/Terrano rivaling crossover. The S-Cross measures 4,300 mm in length, 1,765 mm in width, 1,575 mm in height and 2,600 mm in wheelbase. The Euro-spec car has a ground clearance of 170 mm.

The car is available in European markets with a choice of a petrol and diesel engine. The petrol motor is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit producing 120 PS and 156 Nm of torque, paired to either a 5-speed manual or CVT gearbox. The diesel S-Cross uses Fiat's 1.6-liter diesel engine which produces 120 PS and 320 Nm of torque.

The diesel is available only with a 6-speed manual gearbox. On both engines, the S-Cross comes with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A report last month claimed that Maruti would use a Peugeot-derived 1.6-liter diesel engine for the S-Cross in India, though this remains an unconfirmed report for now.

[Spy Images from Autocar India]