In February 2015, Suzuki of Great Britain had to stall sales of its Celerio hatchback with immediate effect when two press cars encountered complete brake failure in emergency braking tests conducted separately by Autocar and WhatCar?, with both publications mentioning about the issue in separate reports. Two press cars (Thai made) failed the 80mph (~130km/h) emergency brake test during measured trials in Milbrook Proving Ground, UK.
Suzuki was already sitting on 1000 pre-orders for the Celerio when the incident happened, and had 43 Celerios with UK customers along with a fleet of demonstrators with the Suzuki dealer network. Now, according to a report on AMOnline, Suzuki is back on track, and all Celerios in the UK will have their brake pedal assembly replaced before end of this week and the car can go back on sale again.
The report also adds that the 2015-16 period will usher in winds of change for the Japanese brand, building on the impetus from a 13% growth in the UK last year. Suzuki also plans for two new models every year for the next three years. The strategy will initiate with the axing of the Alto (A-Star), Splash (Ritz), the old Grand Vitara/Vitara and the SX4 Classic in the UK, leaving just the Celerio, SX4 S-Cross, new Vitara and Swift to grace the Suzuki UK line-up.
Related : The Suzuki ik-2 Concept is how Maruti’s upcoming i20 challenger will look like
2015-16 will see the introduction of two new models, which were previewed by the iK-2 and the iM-4 Concepts that were showcased at the recently concluded International Motor Show in Geneva. The iK-2 previews a production model coming next year in the UK, which will bridge the gap between the B and C-segment and sit above the Swift in Suzuki’s range. For India however, it’ll shape up as the Elite i20 slaying, YRA (code-name) premium hatchback.
Related : Suzuki iM-4 4×4 Concept Unveiled
The iM-4 will also be heading to UK dealerships and will sit alongside the new Celerio as a more lifestyle and design led model to bring new customers in to the brand. The iK-2 has been described as the more sensible option compared to the next-generation Swift arriving sometime in 2016-17, which has been termed as “radical”.
What that means is that it’ll be unquestionably funky and youthful in its styling, while embracing, new, greener power-plants and in all possibility, a low-cost hybrid drive-train. The next-generation Swift could be powered by the new BOOSTERJET 1.0 litre direct-injection turbo engine which has been announced for the iK-2; power figures of which are yet to be disclosed.
The India-made Swift Range Extender – inline three-cylinder, 658cc petrol engine; front-axle mounted 55KW electric motor; 48.2 km per litre (!) – Read more here
It’s no secret that Maruti Suzuki is working on a low-cost hybrid propulsion system that’d take hybrid technology to the masses. Budget cars like the Alto and the Swift will eventually benefit from it, when the technology is fully functional after 3 to 4 years. The new technology will supposedly make the cars 20%-30% more efficient. The hybrid variant, if launched, could also be the new trump card for Maruti Suzuki in India, after the AMT.
Swift car