S-Presso introduces urban SUV style to the entry-level market

The S-Presso joins Suzuki’s range of urban SUVs in March 2020 with a choice of five model derivatives and two transmission options, proving that even the entry-level segment can be spoilt for choice when buying a Suzuki.

As every connoisseur will tell you, the best way to experience quality coffee is to remove all but the very essence and to concentrate the flavour in a short and very flavourful espresso. This is the inspiration behind the S-Presso, a new urban SUV that condenses all the best Suzuki characteristics in a compact and affordable package.

“We are very excited to introduce the new Suzuki S-Presso in South Africa. It combines many of our most advanced technologies, such as our HEARTECT platform, with our compact SUV expertise to offer a compact, but roomy and well-specified new urban SUV that is truly within everyone’s reach,” says André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa.

Standing tall to stand out

• Bold design and tall stance create unique profile in entry-level segment
• 2.38 m wheelbase ensures roomy interior
• New S-Edition models add extra visual appeal

With the introduction of cars such as the Suzuki Jimny and later the Ignis, Suzuki is widely credited for creating the ultra-compact SUV market segment. The S-Presso joins this illustrious duo with a pure SUV design, high ground clearance and commanding driving position.

Viewed from the front, the S-Presso catches the eye with its bold four-slot grille with large S-emblem. The grille is flanked by squared-off halogen headlamps, with a distinct differentiation between the integrated indicators and main headlamps.

Below the grille, the lower black bumper is swept up in a trapezoidal shape into the coloured main bumper to create a larger air intake and the visual impression of a high-riding SUV. Not that it is simply a visual trick the Suzuki S-Presso has a ground clearance of 180mm on all models, thanks in part to its the 14” steel wheels.

The SUV styling continues along the side of the S-Presso with bold fenders and semi-squared-off wheel arches over the wheels with trapezoidal full wheel covers. The wheels have been placed at the outer corners of the S-Presso to ensure good road holding and to allow the engineers to fit a 2.38m wheelbase into this 3.56m long vehicle.

All models also feature colour-coded door handles and side mirrors, with the choice of six exterior colours: Sizzle Orange, Pearl Starry Blue, Fire Red, Metallic Granite Grey, Metallic Silky Silver and White.

At the rear, a small integrated spoiler is added to the hatch door, while the square rear lights with their C-design have been moved above the shoulder line to strengthen the SUV design theme. A black rear bumper, with a design similar to the front bumper, is fitted below the coloured section and features the number plate recess and integrated parking sensors, which are standard across the entire S-Presso range.

For buyers looking for something more exclusive, Suzuki has designed a premium S-Edition model that highlights all of the S-Presso’s most prominent SUV features. The S-Edition draws its SUV inspiration from the Suzuki Escudo S-Edition, which was launched in Japan in 2004.

This model features silver highlights in the four-slot grille, silver front and rear skid plates and bold side cladding over the wheel arches and on the lower sections of the doors. The protective side cladding on the doors is further emphasised by a large silver panel insert, which visually connects the front and rear silver skid plates.

The S-Presso was designed with personalisation in mind. All S-Presso models can be customised with personalised exterior options, such as colour coded front grille, rear spoiler and side cladding options. Buyers can even opt for complementary colour options to pair unique colour combinations and express their individuality. Interior accessories can also be added to either colour match the exterior, or highlight interior elements with complementary colour options for the dashboard garnish, air conditioning louvers and door panel accessories.

These and many other accessories can be ordered at any Suzuki dealer and will be fitted under the vehicle’s comprehensive warranty.

HEARTECT inside

• Suzuki new generation platform also underpins the new S-Presso
• Class-leading passive safety features

The bulky design of the S-Presso, its high ride height and wide track are both stylish and functional as it has allowed the engineers to fit the S-Presso body on to Suzuki’s proprietary HEARTECT platform.

HEARTECT is Suzuki’s latest-generation platform that underpins models such as the Dzire, Ignis and Swift. It utilises precision engineering and high- and ultra-high tensile steel to create a platform that is not only very light, but also very rigid. This translates into better performance and handling, lower noise, vibration and harshness as well as class-leading passive safety.

Sitting atop the HEARTECT platform is Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) bodyshell, which uses all of the same materials and engineering principles to create an equally safe and rigid shell around the occupants.

The TECT and HEARTECT technologies integrate seamlessly and offer crumple zones and channels for dispersing energy in side-, front- or rear impacts to create a truly safe bodyshell.

Safety first

• All safety features standard across the range

All models in the new S-Presso range feature two airbags as standard and is fitted with and anti-lock braking system (ABS) with emergency brake-force distribution (EBD).

All S-Presso models feature reverse parking sensors as standard, while GL+ and S-Edition models will further complement this system with an in-built reverse camera.

“By using our modern passive safety technology in the design of the Suzuki S-Presso, we have proven that affordable vehicles do not have to compromise on family safety,” says Venter. “It also means that our active safety features, which include two airbags and ABS with EBD, will offer the best possible protection within the TECT safety cocoon.”

Interior fit for a funky SUV

• Bold and unique dashboard design with central digital speedometer
• High level of specification across the range
• 7” colour infotainment system on GL+ and S-Edition models

Step inside the new S-Presso and you will immediately be struck by the bold dashboard design and large circular centre console. This centre console houses a funky digital speedometer and trip computer, the radio or infotainment system and the centrally mounted electric window and hazard switches.

Designed for legibility and ease of use, this centre console allows the driver to view and control the most important vehicle features effortlessly from behind the wheel. It also creates a circular motif, which Suzuki’s designers have replicated in the air conditioning unit mounted below the circular console, the 12V plug and the side-mounted air vents.

Two high-mounted air vents flank the centre console, which was designed in conjunction with the squared-off dashboard panels on either side of the circular instrument cluster and lower-mounted dashboard tray to continue with the SUV design theme.

All versions of the S-Presso are very well equipped and feature electric windows for the front occupants, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, power steering and a multi-information display, which includes information such as distance to empty, trip duration and distance travelled.

On the GL+ model, Suzuki has bumped up the specification with its much-loved full colour infotainment system. This system is touch sensitive and includes full integration for most smartphones through the in-built Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems.

This full colour infotainment system also offers USB and auxiliary ports and Bluetooth connectivity as standard and will display the image from the in-built reverse camera on the screen.

S-Edition models retain the infotainment system and mirror the silver detailing on the exterior with similar highlights on the centre console, air conditioning louvers and side door panels.

All versions of the S-Presso have a foldable rear bench seat and parcel tray as standard, with extra storage spaces available in the front and rear console pockets, the door pockets with integrated bottle holders and the large glove box.

Peppy and frugal – K10B petrol engine

• 50kW and 90Nm of torque
• Average fuel consumption of 4.9 litres/100 km
• Manual or AMT transmission available

The new Suzuki S-Presso shares its engine with the much-loved Suzuki Celerio. This three-cylinder engine is code-named K10B and offers 50kW at 5 500 r/min and 90Nm of torque at 3 500 r/min, thanks to its use of multi-point fuel injection and four valves per cylinder.

The engine has proven itself in the Celerio, which is a former Budget Car of the Year winner and is highly affordable to service and maintain. With an average fuel consumption of less than 5 litres per 100km, it is also easy on the driver’s budget.

The K10B engine drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT), with the latter using Suzuki’s Automated Gear Selection (AGS) technology for smooth shifts using a manual transmission with self-actuating clutch. The AGS system also has an in-built crawl function to allow for fuss-free driving in stop-and-go traffic.

Under the skin, the S-Presso rides on a combination of McPherson struts in front and torsion beams linked to the rear wheels. This system has proven itself in several other compact Suzuki models and helps to keep the kerb weight – a maximum of 770kg with all extras on the S-Presso – to an absolute minimum.

All S-Presso models are fitted with 14” steel wheels with trapezoidal-design wheel covers and a full-sized spare wheel.

Service plan and mechanical warranty included

• Promotional 5-year / 200 000km mechanical warranty returns
• Comprehensive roadside assistance with emergency medical rescue included
• All S-Presso models sold with one year’s complementary insurance

Suzuki Auto will offer all versions of the Suzuki S-Presso together with a 2-year / 30 000km service plan and 5-year / 200 000km mechanical warranty, further proving that budget vehicles do not have to offer sparse features. Indeed, Suzuki has even added a year of complementary insurance included in the price.

The mechanical warranty includes a 3-year / unlimited roadside assistance plan, which now includes features such as battery and locksmith support, call-out services, mechanical and electrical support, breakdown towing and emergency medical rescue. The service also includes stand-by-you roadside security, while you wait for roadside assistance.

“With our long list of standard features, our stand-out design, the option of manual or AMT transmission and our comprehensive service plan and mechanical warranty, we want to introduce a whole new segment of the market to Suzuki’s generosity. We hope that the all-new S-Presso will help us grow our family and prove to the market that we are the value-market leaders,” says Venter.

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