Suzuki has revealed a new small crossover with the strange name of Fronx, and it’ll fill the Baleno-shaped void in the company’s Australian line-up.
Like so many Suzuki products, the Fronx was designed, developed and made in India by its Suzuki Maruti division – but with exports to markets including Australia in mind.
It’s based on the same platform as the updated Baleno hatch revealed last year – which as we reported will not come to Australia – in a relationship similar to the Volkswagen Polo and T-Cross.
It’s a fairly conservative design overall, spiced up by pronounced shoulder-lines and some spiffy two-tone colour options, as well as LEDs including a full-width rear light bar.
At 3995mm long, the Fronx slots between an Ignis and Vitara, and will compete with other products such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic, Toyota Yaris Cross, and the larger MG ZS.
Two engines are available in India. We aren’t sure of the Australian plan yet, but we’d speculate only the more powerful 74kW and 148Nm 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol will come here, mated to a six-speed automatic with paddles and fitted with automatic start/stop.
The base engine is a weedy 66kW and 113Nm 1.2-litre non-turbo.
On the inside there’s a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 360-degree camera view, head-up display with turn signals, wireless phone charger, app connectivity, and an Arkamys sound system are all available.
The Indian models will get six airbags, and you can expect export models to get the requisite driver assist aids such as autonomous emergency braking.
The Fronx made its premiere at the Auto Expo in Delhi alongside the five-door Jimny and the eVX electric SUV concept.
As reported this week, Suzuki had its best sales performance in Australia for almost a decade in 2022, growing volume 23.5 per cent year-on-year.
The bad news for Suzuki Australia going forward is that its top-seller in 2022, the low-cost Baleno light car (6124 units, up 57.2 per cent), has now been discontinued, meaning the company will need to find volume from other models this year.
At least, until the Fronx rolls into town.
