Suzuki Auto South Africa has finally confirmed it has received the green light from its parent company in Japan to introduce “Boosterjet” turbocharged engines in 2019.
Currently, the firm’s local arm offers only naturally aspirated petrol engines across its growing range of models. But that’s going to change in 2019.
The new Swift Sport, for instance, is scheduled to arrive in SA in the second quarter of 2019. It employs a 1,4-litre turbocharged petrol unit, sending 103 kW and 230 N.m to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
The facelifted Vitara, meanwhile, will also gain the option of a turbocharged powerplant (with this flagship badged as the Vitara S). In 2019, Suzuki Auto SA says it will furthermore update its Ciaz and introduce a new Ertiga, while “working to increase the availability” of the new Jimny.
In 2018, Suzuki registered 12 123 units in South Africa, representing growth of some 37 percent (in a market that declined slightly).
“We are particularly proud of the fact that the major part of our sales – 9 375 units – came from dealer sales,” said André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto SA.
“This means that our growth is driven by private buyers who choose the brand and not by large corporate transactions that simply boost sales numbers.”
“For the year ahead, we will continue to strengthen our dealer network and our product line-up to further grow our sales. We are particularly excited to have received the thumbs up from Japan to introduce our Boosterjet turbocharged engines in the new year” Venter added.
