Suzuki’s new S-Presso is SA’s cheapest new car

By: CAR magazine

Suzuki recently introduced the cheapest new car you can buy in South Africa and it just so happens to be a compact SUV.

It’s called the S-Presso and it’s basically Suzuki doing what it does best – making small cars.

Viewed from the front, the S-Presso catches the eye with its bold four-slot grille with large S-emblem. The grille is flanked by squared-off halogen headlamps, with a distinct differentiation between the integrated indicators and main headlamps.

Below the grille, the lower black bumper is swept up in a trapezoidal shape into the coloured main bumper to create a larger air intake and the visual impression of a high-riding SUV. Not that it is simply a visual trick – the S-Presso has a ground clearance of 180mm on all models, thanks in part to its the 14-inch steel wheels.

The SUV styling continues along the side of the S-Presso with bold fenders and semi-squared-off wheel arches over the wheels with trapezoidal full wheel covers. The wheels have been placed at the outer corners of the S-Presso to ensure good road holding and to allow the engineers to fit a 2.38m wheelbase into this 3.56m long vehicle.

All models also feature colour-coded door handles and side mirrors, with the choice of six exterior colours: Sizzle Orange, Pearl Starry Blue, Fire Red, Metallic Granite Grey, Metallic Silky Silver and White.

At the rear, a small integrated spoiler is added to the hatch door, while the square rear lights with their C-design have been moved above the shoulder line to strengthen the SUV design theme. A black rear bumper, with a design similar to the front bumper, is fitted below the coloured section and features the number plate recess and integrated parking sensors, which are standard across the entire S-Presso range.

For buyers looking for something more exclusive, Suzuki has designed a premium S-Edition model that highlights all of the S-Presso’s most prominent SUV features. The S-Edition draws its SUV inspiration from the Suzuki Escudo S-Edition, which was launched in Japan in 2004.

This model features silver highlights in the four-slot grille, silver front and rear skid plates and bold side cladding over the wheel arches and on the lower sections of the doors. The protective side cladding on the doors is further emphasised by a large silver panel insert, which visually connects the front and rear silver skid plates.

The S-Presso was designed with personalisation in mind. All S-Presso models can be customised with personalised exterior options, such as colour coded front grille, rear spoiler and side cladding options. Buyers can even opt for complementary colour options to pair unique colour combinations and express their individuality. Interior accessories can also be added to either colour match the exterior, or highlight interior elements with complementary colour options for the dashboard garnish, air conditioning louvers and door panel accessories.

These and many other accessories can be ordered at any Suzuki dealer and will be fitted under the vehicle’s comprehensive warranty.

All models in the new S-Presso range feature two airbags as standard and is fitted with and anti-lock braking system (ABS) with emergency brake-force distribution (EBD).

All S-Presso models feature reverse parking sensors as standard, while GL+ and S-Edition models will further complement this system with an in-built reverse camera.

Step inside the new S-Presso and you will immediately be struck by the bold dashboard design and large circular centre console. This centre console houses a digital speedometer and trip computer, the radio or infotainment system and the centrally mounted electric window and hazard switches.

Designed for legibility and ease of use, this centre console allows the driver to view and control the most important vehicle features effortlessly from behind the wheel. It also creates a circular motif, which Suzuki’s designers have replicated in the air conditioning unit mounted below the circular console, the 12V plug and the side-mounted air vents.

Two high-mounted air vents flank the centre console, which was designed in conjunction with the squared-off dashboard panels on either side of the circular instrument cluster and lower-mounted dashboard tray to continue with the SUV design theme.

All versions of the S-Presso are well equipped and feature electric windows for the front occupants, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, power steering and a multi-information display, which includes information such as distance to empty, trip duration and distance travelled.

On the GL+ model, Suzuki has bumped up the specification with its much-loved full colour infotainment system. This system is touch sensitive and includes full integration for most smartphones through the in-built Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems.

This full colour infotainment system also offers USB and auxiliary ports and Bluetooth connectivity as standard and will display the image from the in-built reverse camera on the screen.

S-Edition models retain the infotainment system and mirror the silver detailing on the exterior with similar highlights on the centre console, air conditioning louvers and side door panels.

All versions of the S-Presso have a foldable rear bench seat and parcel tray as standard, with extra storage spaces available in the front and rear console pockets, the door pockets with integrated bottle holders and the large glove box.

The new Suzuki S-Presso shares its engine with the much-loved Suzuki Celerio. This three-cylinder engine is code-named K10B and offers 50kW at 5 500 r/min and 90Nm of torque at 3 500 r/min. Suzuki claims it will consume less than 5.0 litres/100km on the combined cycle.

The engine drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).

Under the skin, the S-Presso rides on a combination of McPherson struts in front and torsion beams linked to the rear wheels. This system has proven itself in several other compact Suzuki models and helps to keep the kerb weight – a maximum of 770kg with all extras on the S-Presso – to an absolute minimum.

All S-Presso models are fitted with 14-inch steel wheels with trapezoidal-design wheel covers and a full-sized spare wheel.

All S-Presso models sold with one year’s complementary insurance.

Suzuki Auto will offer all versions of the Suzuki S-Presso together with a 2-year / 30 000km service plan and 5-year / 200 000km mechanical warranty, further proving that budget vehicles do not have to offer sparse features. Indeed, Suzuki has even added a year of complementary insurance included in the price.

The mechanical warranty includes a 3-year / unlimited roadside assistance plan, which now includes features such as battery and locksmith support, call-out services, mechanical and electrical support, breakdown towing and emergency medical rescue. The service also includes stand-by-you roadside security, while you wait for roadside assistance.

 

Pricing:

1.0 GL MT – R134 900

1.0 GL+ MT – R139 900

1.0 GL+ AMT – R152 900

1.0 S-Edition MT – R147 900

1.0 S-Edition AMT – 160 900

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