Coupe-styled Suzuki Fronx South African pricing revealed

Announced for South Africa shortly after making its world premiere at the Delhi Auto Expo in January, Suzuki Auto South Africa has officially divulged price and specification details of the eagerly awaited new coupe-styled Fronx compact SUV.

What is it?

The work of Suzuki’s Maruti division in India, the Fronx fills the gap left vacant by the Vitara Brezza below the Grand Vitara following the local arm’s decision not to bring the new Brezza to market.

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One of three new models heading to South Africa within the next few weeks, the Fronx, which will also spawn a Toyota model before year-end expected to carry the Urban Cruiser Taisor moniker, rides on the same Heartect platform as the Baleno and Starlet with dimensions of 3 995 mm long, 1 756 mm wide and 1 550 mm tall.

It’s wheelbase stretching 2 520 mm and overall length falling within India’s sub-four metre regulations, the Fronx offers a claimed 304-litres of boot space that increases to 605-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down.

Four models

For South Africa, Suzuki has stuck with its two-tier trim level designations, GL and GLX, while availing a single powerunit unit paired to either a manual or automatic gearbox.

Incidentally, none of the combinations are available in India and while the Grand Vitara can be specified with all-wheel-drive as well as a hybrid powertrain, the Fronx remains front-wheel-drive only and without any electrical assistance.

Spec

Commencing the range, the GL rides on 16-inch alloy wheels in addition to having LED headlights, colour coded folding electric mirrors, LED daytime running diodes, satin silver front and rear skidplates, roof rails and black plastic cladding around the wheel arches.

Also standard is a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, rear parking sensors and dual USB ports, plus:

• leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel;
• cruise control;
• dual front airbags;
• Electronic Stability Programme;
• ABS with EBD;
• Hill Start Assist

Capping the range off, the GLX receives chrome exterior accents and silver roof rails, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display, height-adjustable steering wheel, keyless entry and push-button start, a wireless smartphone charger and a total of six airbags.

As well as ambient lighting, the GLX swaps the seven-inch display for the bigger nine-inch setup, while also gaining the Head-Up Display and 360-degree surround-view camera system found on the comparative Baleno GLX.

No turbo boost

Set to take aim at the Volkswagen Taigo and Omoda C5, the Fronx’s sole engine options comes by way of the long-serving normally aspirated 1.5 K15B petrol engine used in the Baleno/Starlet, Ertiga/Rumion, Ciaz/Belta, Grand Vitara/Urban Cruiser and the Jimny.

Delivering its familiar outputs of 77kW/138Nm, the K15B is once again paired to either a five-speed manual gearbox of the four-speed automatic – the latter replacing the five-speed AGS (Auto Gear Shift) and six-speed automatic options offered in India.

Colours and price

In total, Suzuki has made six colours available for the Fronx; Arctic White Pearl, Bluish Black Pearl, Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic, Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic, Grandeur Grey Pearl Metallic and Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic.

Standard across the four model range is a five-year/200 000 km warranty as well as a four-year/60 000 km service plan.

• Fronx 1.5 GL – R279 900
• Fronx 1.5 GL AT – R299 900
• Fronx 1.5 GLX – R315 900
• Fronx 1.5 GLX AT – R335 900

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