Maruti Suzuki has officially released the details of the upcoming S-Cross facelift. The big changes are reserved for the face which gets a bold new redesign. The grille is now completely different with thick chrome surround and vertical slat and is flanked by headlamps of a completely different design. On the top-spec models, the new headlamps feature LED projectors and also get LED daytime running lamps. Completing the changes up front are fresh designs for the bonnet and bumper.
Things are more familiar along the side profile, but Maruti has confirmed that the S-Cross now gets wider 215/60 R16 tyres, up from the previous 205/60 R16. The S-Cross also gets new two-tone machine-finished alloy wheels. Changes to the rear come in the form of new LED tail lamps.
The new S-Cross also receives small changes to the interior, with the addition of a new, piano-black trim on the centre console, satin chrome accents and soft-feel material on the dash. The central arm-rest gets a new leather finish and the touchscreen infotainment system is now compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Maruti has dropped the old 1.6-litre diesel engine and the sole offering now comes in a 1248cc diesel engine with mild-hybrid technology. This engine is already being used in the Ciaz and Ertiga and it produces 90hp and 200Nm. The engine features a start-stop system, brake energy regeneration and uses an Integrated Starter Generator motor to offer a mild torque assist function. The S-Cross should be more efficient than before, but the new GST regulations which have removed hybrid benefits means the new S-Cross may be more expensive than the previous 1.3-litre version.
The new S-Cross has been tested at the company’s high-tech RnD test facility at Rohtak and is one of six models already fully compliant with the upcoming safety regulations - frontal offset crash, side impact and pedestrian safety. We expect ABS, dual airbags and rear ISO-FIX seat mounts will be standard.
The new S-Cross will be available in five colours and four variants. Bookings are open at all of the 280+ Nexa showrooms across the country for an amount of Rs 11,000. The car will be launched on 28 September 2017.