It’s official: Suzuki Vitara Brezza coming to South Africa in early 2021

By: CAR magazine

Suzuki Auto South Africa has confirmed it plans to launch the Indian-built Vitara Brezza locally in “early 2021”.

The Vitara Brezza differs somewhat from the Hungarian-built Vitara already offered here in South Africa. At 3 995 mm long, for instance, the Brezza is a full 180 mm shorter nose to tail, allowing it to qualify for India’s all-important sub-four-metre class, which attracts a lower excise duty.

According to Brendon Carpenter, brand marketing manager at Suzuki Auto SA, the Vitara Brezza will be positioned below the Vitara (which will interestingly continue to be offered locally) but above the Ignis.

For the record, the Ignis line-up currently starts at R193 900 and runs through to R240 900, while the Vitara range kicks off at R310 900 and tops out at R426 900. That would suggest the Vitara Brezza will be priced somewhere between the two (perhaps with a little overlap) when it arrives in the first quarter of 2021.

Expect the newcomer to take on the likes of the popular Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Venue, as well as the upcoming Kia Sonet and Nissan Magnite.

Built by Maruti Suzuki since 2016, the Vitara Brezza offered locally will be powered by the Japanese firm’s familiar K15B naturally aspirated 1,5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering some 77 kW and 138 N.m to the front axle.

Suzuki Auto SA’s confirmation the Vitara Brezza is headed to local shores is all the more interesting considering Toyota South Africa Motors is expected to launch the Urban Cruiser – which is based on the Brezza, as the Starlet is based on the Baleno – in the relatively near future.

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