For all practical reasons, the Maruti S Presso can be considered to be the iconic Alto’s successor in the current crossover-crazy market. The Renault Kwid rival has been testing on public roads for a while now and we have come across latest spy pictures. One of the pictures even reveal the interior partially.
The micro-crossover derives its design direction from the Future-S design study that graced the Auto Expo 2018. Though the Maruti S-Presso will adopt SUV-ish design, it will adhere to a strict cost target. The steering wheel and instrument console arch are visible but we could not make out anything else.
Going by the market trend, we expect Maruti Suzuki to offer touchscreen infotainment system in the top-end variant. The car gets chunky wing mirror housings but makes do with basic cost effective exterior door handles.
The Future-S styling has very little in common with any of the existing Maruti (or even Suzuki for that matter) products. The production-ready S-Presso appears to carry forward the concept’s high-mounted headlamps, a prominent secondary air-dam, and black finished bumper. The whole exterior is characterized by smooth curves and rounded corners.
To be underpinned by Suzuki’s modular Heartect platform which made its Indian debut with the new WagonR, the Maruti S-Presso will be prioritizing spacious cabin and high seating position. Of course, like every Maruti vehicle, there will be a special emphasis on fuel economy.
The Maruti S Presso is likely to be powered by 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter petrol engines found in the new WagonR. The base three-cylinder mill, in its current avatar, produces 68 hp and 90 Nm of torque while the bigger four-cylinder unit is capable of delivering 83 hp and 113 Nm of torque. Both motors are expected to be offered with a choice of 5-speed manual gearbox and 5-AMT.
The Maruti S-presso is expected to have its starting price point well under Rs 5 lakh mark. While the Kwid will be the primary rival, the new micro-crossover will also aim to lure customers away from the Hyundai Santro.
Maruti has been witnessing worrisome drop it its monthly sales volume as a part of general auto industry slowdown. The company would be hoping that the S-Presso will create an impact large enough to turn things around. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Vinay Maurya for sharing the spy shots.
