Upcoming World Strategic Models

Suzuki UK’s sales and marketing director Dale Wyatt reveals that Suzuki is planning a model offensive within the next three years, and will offer both a rational and an emotional product in each sector they compete in. The model offensive for the European market will include at least three more new SUVs apart from the soon to be launched All New Vitara. Since Suzuki's European models are all world strategic models, we can consider these models as global models as well.

2015-2016 A Segment Crossover

The first model would be a funky A-Segment vehicle with 4×4 capability. Wyatt said that this model would create a new segment as there currently isn’t anything like it on the market. “It’s Suzuki’s twist on funkiness,” said Wyatt. This new A-Segment model will make it’s debut at next year’s 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, and will arrive in European dealerships in 2016. The new model will be positioned as Suzuki's emotional product in the A-Segment, and will be sold alongside the rational Suzuki Celerio.

Not much is known about how the new A-Segment model will look like, or whether it would be a mini SUV or a baby crossover, or any other form. However, we suspect that it will take some styling cues from the Crosshiker concept diplayed at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and the Regina concept displayed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

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Suzuki Regina / G70 Concept

This concept car made its debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show as the REGINA, and was then displayed at various motor shows around the world as the G70, a badge which originates from a nickname adopted during the development process.

While the goal of reducing CO2 emissions is an absolute must throughout automotive development, Suzuki also believes that A-segment models should always be totally customer-responsive. With this in mind, the company has been focused on developing an A-segment car with CO2 emissions no higher than 70g/km for market launch in the near future, featuring – as the name suggests – the G70’s environmental technologies. Although the G70 is a petrol model, its fuel economy and emissions are on a par with those of a hybrid, thanks to its weight of just 730kg and a drag coefficient more than 10% lower than that of a Suzuki A-segment production model. It also features a direct-injection turbo petrol engine and an Engine Auto Stop Start system with regenerative braking. All in all, the G70's CO2 emissions do not exceed 70g/km.



The G70 also showcases Suzuki's next generation lightweight platform which will underpin their future A-Segment models.

Suzuki Crosshiker Concept

The Crosshiker is a compact crossover concept, first unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and is designed as an alternative offer of the REGINA/G70. It uses the same next-generation lightweight platform adopted for the REGINA/G70.



The Crosshiker features a size of a compact car while weighing 810kg, the weight of a minicar /Kei car. With a newly developed 1L 3-cylinder engine, it strikes a balance between power performance and environmental performance. The Crosshiker inherited the REGINA/G70's concept: “Eco-friendly on the inside while having a design with personality that would evoke passion in users,” while adopting more exciting styling and a design befitting a crossover tailored to adults who are keeping a playful mind.

2016-2017 Vitara Sport

In the compact SUV segment, the Vitara will play it's role as the more emotional model, while the S Cross will be the more rational model. To further explore the emotional side of the Vitara, Suzuki is said to be developing a sportier version of the Vitara, likely to be called the Vitara Sport. This one would share a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with the next generation Swift Sport. The Vitara has been reviewed by European journalists and is praised for it’s rather impressive driving dynamics, revealing that the model actually has a potential to be a fun sports SUV. It was not revealed when this model will make it’s debut, but it wouldn’t be too far away in the future.

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2016-2017 Next Generation Jimny

The third model would be the next generation Suzuki Jimny, which will arrive in Europe around 2017. The Jimny will proudly sit outside of the dual-product strategy, and will continue to be positioned as an iconic niche model. Looking at how Suzuki has a habit of unveiling a new model the year before it will be sold, this model could be unveiled in 2016. Wyatt said that the next-gen Jimny will be equally practical and utilitarian to the current model. Although it is likely to ditch the conventional drive select 4×4 system, and get Suzuki’s new AllGrip all wheel drive system instead, the next-gen Jimny will keep the lightweight, straight sides, compact dimensions, and simplicity of the current model. The X Lander concept displayed at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and the Landbreeze Concept displayed back in 2003 might give us a hint of what Suzuki has in mind about the next-gen Jimny.

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Suzuki Landbreeze Concept

The Landbreeze is a concept car first displayed at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show. It is designed as a "compact SUV that coexists with the nature with advanced environmental technologies."



It regards the nature not as what it has to conquer but as what it lives in harmony with. With its performance as an SUV untouched, the Landbreeze adopts recyclable materials and a hybrid system for better fuel economy.




Features of the Landbreeze concept:

• All-aluminum 0.66L DOHC engine installed with a hybrid system. It realizes satisfactory low- and mid-speed range torques and the better fuel economy in combination with a lightweight aluminum monocoque body. 
• Long wheelbase, rear sub doors and auto steps all contribute to more comfortable ingress and egress, and spacious cabin for 4 adults.
• Next-generation telematics to add to outdoor fun. The dome-shaped monitor shows two different images to convey the information for the driver and for the passenger at the same time.

Suzuki X-Lander Concept

The X-Lander is a concept car first displayed at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. The car is based on the current Jimny's platform, and is intended for drivers who use their car in the city and sometimes go out to play in the field.

The X-LANDER is equipped with a 1.3L engine and a newly developed automatically controlled manual transmission. It incorporates a compact lightweight hybrid system equipped with a highly-efficient motor built onto a 4WD system, achieving both up-to-date environmental performance and excellent running performance. The vehicle design is loaded with full of playful touches so that the vehicle looks like a fusion of off-road power and mechanical precision.

2015-2016 Turbocharged Small Displacement Petrol Engines

Apart from the new models, Suzuki is also developing a new turbocharging technology, creating a range of turbocharged small displacement petrol engines in the vein of Ford’s Ecoboost technology. This will help increase fuel efficiency and further reduce CO2 emission levels while delivering more torque and power. The turbocharged petrol engines are destined for S Cross and Vitara. The same technology will be applied to the 1.6litre petrol engine that will power the Vitara Sport.

That’s all we know for now. It is quite interesting to note that there is no word on the next generation Grand Vitara. Suzuki seems to be focusing more on smaller models rather than bigger ones, so the rumored Grand Vitara replacement might not see the light of day anytime soon.

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