Maruti Suzuki S-Cross was launched in 2015 and it was also the first model to be retailed via brand’s premium dealership range Nexa. Tagged as premium crossover, Maruti priced it in the range of Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster and hoped for decent numbers. But things didn’t go in favor of MSIL and vehicle doesn’t yield outrageous numbers like other Maruti models.
In January 2016, to widen its appeal and enhance its value for money quotient Maruti announced the price cut of up to Rs. 2.05 lakh. Owing to premium price tag, S-Cross 1.6 l still it didn’t find many buyers. Maruti Suzuki imports 1.6l engine from Fiat which in turns increases the cost of crossover. In addition, the launch of Vitara Brezza has further pushed down the sales of S-cross and buyers prefer Brezza as it comes with conventional SUV-ish stance and almost similar set of features.
Maruti Suzuki has now decided to discontinue the lower variants (Zeta and Delta) of 1.6l 320DDis engine. The 1.3l line up remains unaffected as it accounts major chunk of the total sales and the bigger engine is now only available on top spec Alpha trim. The 1.3l trim is available between Rs. 8.78-10.63 lakh while the top spec 1.6l 320 DDis cost you at Rs. 12.03 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
S-Cross is available with two diesel engines- 1.3l DDis diesel makes 89bhp power and 200Nm of torque, linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The bigger 1.6l engine is good enough for 118bhp power and 320Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a six speed manual gearbox. Maruti Suzuki is also pepping for the facelift of S-Cross slated for launch this year.
A Maruti Suzuki spokesperson told PTI that, “It is business prudence to keep the number of variants at an optimum level in line with customer’s requirements. We started a new segment called premium crossover with S Cross. Volume-wise, S-Cross continues to do an average of 2,000-2,100 units monthly”
