Suzuki Fronx’s Taisor(ed) Toyota twin tipped for unveiling soon

With Toyota having debuted the new Urban Cruiser Hyryder in South Africa this week, albeit without the latter suffix, attention has moved back towards another model previewed in January by the Suzuki Fronx.

Widely believed to adopt the Taisor nameplate, the newcomer had been rumoured for unveiling at the Delhi Auto Expo in February, which subsequently didn’t materialise and has remained largely under wraps since then.

Not the Urban Cruiser replacement

While it was reported in February Toyota had been looking into a direct replacement for the Urban Cruiser based on also defunct Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Taisor is not expected to fulfil that role as like the Fronx, it will be bigger and have a fastback coupe-style design.

According to the latest claims by India’s gaadiwaadi.com, a reveal date for the Taisor is soon to happen based on not only the reveal of the Fronx, but also the Urban Cruiser Hyryder spun-off of the revived Suzuki Grand Vitara that debuted in South Africa last week.

Despite an official date still being unknown, the Taisor is expected to follow the same route as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Starlet based on the Suzuki Baleno by differing more substantially design-wise from the Fronx when it eventually premiers.

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What to expect

Inside, and apart from the Toyota badges replacing the Suzuki ones, the Taisor’s interior will also be similar in design and therefore receive the same specification items, the most notable being the 360-degree surround-view camera system and Head-up Display.

In India, the Fronx offers a choice of two engines, both made by Suzuki; a 1.2-litre DualJet K12B petrol that produces 67kW/113Nm and a mild-hybrid version of the turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-litre Boosterjet delivering 74kW/148Nm.

The standard transmission on both is a five-speed manual with a five-speed automated manual, known as Auto Gear Shift or AGS, optional on the latter, and a six-speed torque converter automatic the option on the Boosterjet.

Should South Africa get it?

At present, Toyota has remained mum on revealing anything of the Taisor including confirming of whether it would be called Taisor or something else.

Should approval be given for South Africa, expect the Taisor to not only compete against the Fronx Suzuki will be bringing to market later this year, but also the Volkswagen Taigo and the newly released Omoda C5.

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