Rounded and more substantial new Suzuki Celerio unveiled

Suzuki has become the latest automaker to unveil as new vehicle, albeit not on the first day of the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show that commenced earlier today (11 November).

Bowing in its home market of India, the second generation Celerio replaces the almost seven-year-old original with Maruti Suzuki touting it as the most fuel efficient vehicle it has ever made.

Dispensing with the upright slab sided stance its predecessor featured, the new Celerio adopts a retro-styled front facia with the rear mirroring that of the Baleno and the side bearing similarities to the Ignis.

Better proportioned than it before and appearing more substantial, the Celerio becomes the latest model to ride on the Heartect platform Suzuki claims has not only improved interior space, but also, as mentioned, efficiency.

Measuring 3 695 mm in overall length with its wheelbase stretching 2 435 mm, the Celerio is longer than its predecessor with its height increasing to 1 555 mm and width to 1 655 mm. Claimed boot space is said to have gone up by 40% to 313-litres.

Inside, Suzuki has redesigned the interior in order to bring the Celerio in-line with its current model line-up. Along with the sweeping new dashboard, air vents and a new gear lever, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto takes price of place in higher-end models.

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In total, the Celerio offers a choice of four trim levels; LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ with motivation coming from the newly developed K10C 1.0-litre three-cylinder normally aspirated petrol engine hooked to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual transmission Suzuki calls Auto Gear Shift (AGS).

Producing 49kW/89Nm, the unit sports idle start/stop, dual variable valve timing and an integrated exhaust manifold system, aspects claimed to contribute to the low claimed fuel consumption figures of between 3.9 L/100 km 4.0 L/100 km for the manual and 3.7 L/100 km to 3.8 L/100 km for the AGS.

Available in six colours; Arctic White, Glistening Grey, Caffeine Brown, Silky Silver, Speedy Blue and Solid Fire Red, the Celerio is now available with pricing from INR 499 000 (R102 181) for the LXi manual to INR 694 000 (R142 111) for the ZXi+ AGS.

While still to be confirmed for South Africa, expect the Celerio to possibly debut next year priced above the S-Presso but below the Swift.