Suzuki has shown off its new S-Cross, which has grown rather since we last saw a model with that badge, and instead of looking like a tall hatchback, now looks like a blockier, squarer-edged SUV.
Shares a platform with the Vitara
It's a larger car than the current Vitara, taking on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai with a decent 430-litre boot. It's based on the same Suzuki Global-C platform as the Vitara and doesn't share components with any Toyota models, in spite of Suzuki having a platform and technology sharing agreement with the giant car maker.
Power will initially come from Suzuki's familiar 1.4-litre BoosterJet four-cylinder petrol engine, augmented with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Suzuki says that all of its Irish models are now mild-hybrid equipped and that it's going to ramp up both mild-hybrid and full-hybrid production from next year, ahead of producing its first all-electric model in 2025. The S-Cross will get a 'full' hybrid model next year, and possibly a plug-in hybrid too.
Four-wheel drive
Suzuki's AllGrip four-wheel drive system will be available as an option for the new S-Cross, and it will have four driving modes - Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock.
Inside, the S-Cross will get a cabin that represents a pretty major upgrade over what you get in a Vitara, including a new nine-inch touchscreen with massively improved software and graphics, not to mention Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition. From 2022, Suzuki will also start to roll out live connected services for this new touchscreen. There's also a panoramic glass sunroof available.
Safety systems
In safety terms, there's a dual-sensor (camera and laser) forward monitoring and emergency braking system, a 360-degree camera system, and adaptive cruise control with traffic stop and go - it's not yet clear which of those will be standard and which will be options, but Suzuki has a strong record in Ireland for providing high-end safety kit as standard.
Out the back, that 430-litre boot gets 60:40 split-folding rear seats and an adjustable boot floor.