Suzuki Australia interested in launching iK-2 and iM-4 - Report

29/05/2015 - 15:13 Suzuki iK-2, Suzuki iM-4, Suzuki Aravind Jayachandran

Both were unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

Suzuki Australia have expressed interest in launching the production versions of the iK-2 hatchback (under testing in India as the 'Maruti YRA') and iM-4 SUV in the country, so as to aid its quest for growth down under.

Suzuki iK-2 Concept front three quarter left at Auto Shanghai 2015 — The Suzuki iK-2 previews a future premium hatchback that will slot above the Swift.

Suzuki Australia is currently enjoying a 28 percent improvement in year-to-date sales (6457 units against 5041 for the same period in 2014), fueled by the demand of Suzuki's Swift and Jimny. The company will also be launching the new Vitara SUV, and have promised that it will be aggressively priced. The production-spec iK-2 and iM-4, it believes, will serve as key operators in increasing sales figures further for the Australian arm of the Japanese brand.

Revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the iK-2 previews a future premium hatchback that will slot above the Swift. It will feature a new design heavily influenced by the concept, a familiar interior design with premium touches, an optional SmartPlay infotainment system, and increased focus towards safety.

Suzuki iK-2 Concept rear three quarter left at Auto Shanghai 2015 — The production-spec iK-2 (codenamed Maruti YRA) will source power from a 1-liter 3-cylinder engine.

The production-spec iK-2 will source power from a new 1-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine, which Suzuki calls as Boosterjet. It is essentially a direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine that is expected to deliver a good balance of performance and fuel economy, with additional help coming from the ISG (Integrated Starter Generator).

If launched in Australia, it will fall into the premium hatchback segment that includes cars like the Hyundai i30, VW Golf and the new Honda Jazz.

Suzuki iM-4 front three quarters at Auto Shanghai 2015 — Based on a new platform, the iM-4 is designed with the aim of creating an iconic mini 4x4.

With increasing demand for petite crossovers, Suzuki decided to unveil their iteration of one at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, dubbing it as the Suzuki iM-4. Based on the same new lightweight platform as the iK-2, the iM-4 is designed with the aim of creating an iconic mini 4x4. Production spec models could feature a slightly different design, pack a 1.2-liter Dualjet engine (integrates two fuel injectors per cylinder) from the concept model, and offer an optional AWD system.

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If launched in a similar specification as the concept, it will fall in a segment below the Opel Mokka, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Holden Trax.