An Answer To Hatchback Enthusiasts With SUV Fetish

There has been an increasing trend in the Indian automotive market over the past decade – consumers opting for SUVs or designs that resemble SUVs. This trend led to the launch of an increased number of models from manufacturers that were either full-blown SUVs or compact SUVs. This obsession with SUV styling has also moved into other vehicle categories, most predominantly hatchbacks, due to their striking resemblance, in terms of their silhouette.

- Naveen Arul

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), the country’s largest car manufacturer was one of the first to bring out a compact SUV into the market with the Brezza – addressing the SUV demand. The company has now carried on its SUV design language to its first hatchback, the S-Presso, which it fondly calls ‘Mini SUV.’ We bring you all the details of the newly-launched S-Presso hatchback from the drive organised by the company in and around the city of Jodhpur.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

The S-Presso is based on Suzuki’s fifth-generation HEARTECT platform that has been specifically-developed for India, which ensures maximum space utilisation combined with safety features. The HEARTECT architecture of the S-Presso leverages 40 % high tensile steel in construction, enabling a stronger and sturdier structure for the car.

The exterior design is a prime focus area of the S-Presso, according to Maruti Suzuki, which is quirky to say the least. It features characteristic design elements that resemble an SUV character, be it the upright A-pillar and back door, or the boxy overall bodyline combined with a modern glass-to-body ratio. The overall stance is similar to that of a tallboy hatch design, which Maruti Suzuki popularised with its WagonR car. The front features a tall bonnet, with the thin upright front grill having a design reminiscent to that of the Brezza compact SUV. The single aperture headlight design is boxy, with an additional square barrel that houses the turn indicators. Also present below the headlights are LED daytime running lights that look neat on the S-Presso.