Suzuki has unveiled the Fronx, an all-new crossover sitting on the same underpinnings as the popular Baleno hatchback.
The Suzuki is on its way to our showrooms with a space in the line-up reserved right below the new Grand Vitara, but unfortunately, “no dates are available as yet for launch in South Africa,” the automaker’s local subsidiary told TopAuto.
The Fronx is poised to secure a big slice of a barely-touched segment when it reaches South African roads, the recently-discovered category of coupe-shaped crossovers of which the VW Taigo is the current market leader.
What the Fronx
The new Suzuki Fronx measures in at 3,995mm long, 1,550mm high, and 1,765mm wide – meaning it’s only 5mm longer, 50mm taller, and 20mm wider than the hatchback it shares a foundation with.
The body styles are drastically different though, the crossover featuring the brand’s new design language brought about by a “NEXWave” grille with chrome garnishes, dual-level LED headlights with “crystal block” daytime running lights, a sloping roofline and upright rear profile, a body-spanning LED lightbar on the bootlid, and dual-finish alloy wheels with a “geometric” pattern.
Onto the interior, the front fascia is a familiar Suzuki affair not looking too different from that of the Baleno, with the Indian versions of the Fronx offering a 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multifunction steering wheel, hill-hold assist, ABS with brake assist, and six airbags.
Suzuki Connect support also allows customers to “experience 40+ intelligent connected car features ranging from safety and security, location and trips, vehicle information and alerts, and other functionalities,” said the manufacturer.
More amenities that will be available in the crossover include a 360-view camera, heads-up display, wireless charger, and rear-seat air conditioning vents.
Depending on the market, the Fronx is driven by a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre motor connected to the buyer’s choice between a manual or automated manual transmission both with five gears, or a turbocharged 1.0-litre unit paired with either a five-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic with paddle shifters.
The non-turbocharged drivetrain generates up to 66kW and 113Nm, while the turbocharged variant puts out a slightly higher 74kW and 148Nm.
It must be noted that the South African-specific pricing and specifications for the new Suzuki Fronx must still be confirmed, with these to be announced closer to its launch date, said the manufacturer.
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