Suzuki iM-4 micro SUV under consideration for India - Report
Could also be exported to Europe.
MotorOctane is reporting that Maruti Suzuki is considering the Suzuki iM-4 mini SUV for India, for a launch in mid-2017. The iM-4, if introduced, would be the smallest crossover from the company which will introduce the S-Cross (A-Cross) in mid-2015 and the sub-4m YBA next year. The former will compete with the Renault Duster and Hyundai ix25, while the latter goes up against the Ford EcoSport and the future Tata Nexon.
The Suzuki iM-4 concept was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and was confirmed for production. It is based on a new lightweight platform. Measuring 3,693 mm x width 1,709 mm x height 1,566 mm it comes with a start-stop system and brake energy recuperation.
The iM-4 would go up against a breed of micro-crossovers which would by then have the Renault Kayou and the Mahindra S101, both lining up for a market launch in the second half of 2015. The Datsun redi-Go, the cousin to the Kayou, comes out next year.
MotorOctane says that the iM-4 would be manufactured in India and exported to Europe from 2017. Measuring about 3.6 m long, it would be powered by the 1.0-liter turbocharged Boosterjet engine that was launched along with the concept. 4WD would be optional, but mainstay variants would be FWD.
Also Read: Suzuki YBA mini SUV spied undisguised
Design features of the iM-4 concept highligted are the blacked-out A- and B-pillars, clamshell bonnet, and front fender garnishes. The area behind the C-Pillar features slits that pay tribute to iconic Suzukis, the Fronte Coupe and the first Cervo. The design of the production iM-4 would however differ from the concept, its designer said.
[Source - MotorOctane.com]