Maruti Suzuki S-Cross goes petrol-only in BS VI era

Maruti Suzuki India today introduced the updated S-Cross crossover in a new petrol-only avatar, with pricing starting at Rs 839,000. The crossover, which marked the commencement of the company’s premium retail channel – Nexa – five years ago, has now been given a new life with the new powertrain.

The S-Cross now comes with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder K-series engine that also does duty in the Ciaz, Ertiga, XL6 and was more recently also introduced in the facelifted Vitara Brezza. It will also do duty in the soon-to-be-launched crossover from Toyota in India.

The engine develops 103bhp and 138Nm of torque and conforms to BS VI emission norms – the main reason for the company’s new strategy to exit the diesel segment, citing high cost of conversion to meet the strict regulations.

The 1.5-litre motor also gets an integrated starter generator and offers mild-hybrid functionalities including brake recuperation and engine assist and automatic engine start-stop. Maruti Suzuki claims a fuel economy of 18.55kpl for the five-speed manual and 18.43kpl for the automatic.

While the crossover remains unchanged in terms of its design and continues to retain the LED projector headlamps, LED tail lamps and diamond-cut alloy wheels, it, however, now gets the option of a four-speed automatic transmission aimed to offer more convenience to the customer.

According to Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director, Maruti Suzuki India, “Our research has shown that an increasing number of customers are today preferring for automatic cars and aligning to that need, the new S-Cross is being offered with a four-speed automatic transmission.”

In terms of safety, the crossover comes equipped with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist. The automatic version also gets hill hold assist feature in addition.

The petrol-only S-Cross has been introduced at a price range of Rs 839,000 to Rs 1,239,000 ex-showroom, Delhi.