Maruti Suzuki S-PRESSO launched at Rs 3.69 lakh

Maruti Suzuki has launched another tallboy, the S-PRESSO mini SUV at Rs 3.69 lakh ex-showroom. The mini SUV is Maruti Suzuki’s indigenously developed car aimed at boosting the brand’s sales this festive season. The car comes at a slight premium over the Alto K10 which starts at Rs 3.60 lakh. Also it rivals the Renault Kwid 1.0 and the Datsun Redi-Go which start at Rs 4.20 lakh and 3.79 lakh, respectively.

Design of the S-PRESSO

The S-PRESSO draws quite a few design cues like its sleek grille and headlamp shape from its elder sibling, the Vitara Brezza. From the side, the S-PRESSO looks like a jacked up Alto, thanks to its higher ground clearance. But the distinctive wheel arches, strong rear shoulder line and 14-inch wheels do give it an SUV-like stance.

S-PRESSO on the inside

On the inside the S-PRESSO gets a rounded centre console, which resembles the ones in the Mini Coopers, but the company says that its inspired from sports watches. The console’s top and bottom as well as the ac vents are colour co-ordinated with the exterior colour of the mini SUV. The centre console also houses a digital speedometer.

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Engine and transmission

Powering the S-PRESSO will be the same 1.0-litre K-series petrol engine that also underpins the Alto K10 and the WagonR. The BS6 compliant engine develops 67bhp of power and 90Nm of torque. Transmission options include a five speed manual gearbox and an AMT.

On the features front

The S-PRESSO offers first in its class steering mounted audio and voice controls. It also gets the Smartplay Studio system which is compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and other Smartplay Studio Apps. It offers plenty of storage options like open tray, glove box, door trim and door console pocket to keep smartphones. Maruti Suzuki also claims to have best in class legroom and a best in class turning radius in the S-PRESSO.

Maruti says that the mini SUV is built on their fifth generation HEARTECT platform using 40% high tensile steel that ensures stronger and safer structure. The S-PRESSO boasts of safety features such as dual airbags, ABS (Anti-Lock-Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), seat belts with pre-tensioners and force Limiters, driver/co-driver seat belt reminder, rear parking assist system, high speed warning alert and reverse parking sensors.

Variant wise prices of the S-PRESSO:

Std: Rs 3.69 lakh

LXI: Rs 4.05 lakh

VXI: Rs 4.24 lakh

VXI+: Rs 4.48 lakh

VXI AGS: Rs 4.67 lakh

VXI+ AGS: Rs 4.91 lakh

The S-PRESSO is priced quite aggressively by Maruti Suzuki. However, the top end VXI+ AGS variant of the mini SUV is pricier than the top end variants of the Renault Kwid Climber AMT and the Datsun Redi-Go AMT. The top end Kwid is priced at Rs 4.75 lakh while the Redi-Go retails at Rs 4.37 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. However, with its mini SUV-like design and tall boy-ish appearance, the S-PRESSO surely stands out on the design front and will be hard to ignore for buyers looking for a small car in this segment.