India-bound Suzuki SX4 S-Cross diesel to get AMT this year - Europe

02/02/2015 - 11:06 Maruti SX4 S-Cross, Maruti Suzuki Anjan Ravi

Indian launch expected in May 2015.

Suzuki unveiled the SX4 S-Cross for the European market two years ago at the 2013 edition of the Geneva Motor Show. The crossover for Europe is made at the company's Magyar plant in Hungary, and is sold with 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines (the latter being a Fiat-sourced MultiJet unit).

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross front three quarters angle at the 2014 Paris Motor Show — The S-Cross is available with an automatic gearbox on its petrol engine at the moment.

While the petrol is offered with manual and CVT gearboxes, the diesel is solely available with a 6-speed manual. However, come summer 2015 (June 2015), Suzuki will introduce an automatic transmission on the diesel engine, confirmed Ed Norman, product manager at Suzuki Cars UK.

Though the official did not specify the type of gearbox that would be used, Auto Express reports that it would most likely be an automated manual transmission (AMT). Currently, Suzuki offers the AMT system on the Celerio in Europe, and on the Celerio and new Alto K10 in India.

The S-Cross is due for a launch in India this year, with reports indicating a launch in May 2015. Maruti has not revealed details as to the engine or gearbox of the car just as yet. The car maker's AMT supplier, Magneti Marelli, is setting up a manufacturing line in Manesar though, and as a result, the technology is expected to be rolled across more Maruti products.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross dashboard at the 2014 Paris Motor Show — For Europe, Suzuki offers a 4WD system on the petrol and diesel variants of the S-Cross.

Cars like the Ertiga and Swift are expected to benefit from the AMT system later this year.

Expected Price: INR 8-11 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: May 2015 in India
Competitors: Renault Duster, Hyundai ix25, Nissan Terrano, Mahindra Scorpio

[Source - Autoexpress.co.uk]