Suzuki reveals future plans

Suzuki has unveiled plans to launch five new models over the next three years, including a B-segment SUV to rival the Nissan Juke and an efficient new city car.

First to arrive in the summer of 2014 will be a replacement for the Splash and Alto but with a boot that matches the current Swift. This car will be built at its factory in Thailand and use a tweaked version of the current three-cylinder petrol engine to emit around 80g/km of C02 – easily making it a class leader in terms of efficiency. 

According to Suzuki’s sales and marketing manager Dale Wyatt the new city car would have similar dimensions to the Splash but would be priced to sit between the two current models in the range.

This year the Swift range will be updated with the introduction of a five-door version of the Swift Sport hot hatch to broaden its appeal and the introduction of a 4x4 model as well. Apparently there will be two different version of the four-wheel drive Swift. The first will look exactly like the standard car but the range topper will get a styling makeover with a raised ride height and chunkier tyres to make it a direct rival to the Fiat Panda 4x4.

Next on the agenda in early 2015 will another small SUV – this time a B-segment rival to rival the likes of the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and Nissan Juke. This car will be built in Hungary and based on a shorter version of the chassis in the SX4 S-Cross. It will be available with both two and four wheel drive and is likely to use the same engines as its bigger brother but with a much more emotional design and wider personalization options to make it more desirable and a target starting price of around £13,000.

Following these two models a production version of the G70 concept is under consideration and Auto Express was told that there was a strong possibility this car could use a two-cylinder turbo petrol engine that could be provided by Fiat.

Early 2016 will see the launch of a small MPV that has apparently been designed for customers who like the dynamics of the Swift but need more boot and rear space for passengers while the all-new Swift will arrive later this year too.

Company sources say that these new models could push annual UK sales past the 40,000 units mark – but they are determined to remain a profitable niche brand with sustainable growth rather than major expansion.