Hatch On Stilts
Auto Today|November 2019
With the craze for SUVs still going strong, Maruti Suzuki has raised its new hatch, given it SUV-like styling and pitched it as a mini-SUV. We drove it on the urban roads of Jodhpur, the rural hinterland as well as the highways to find out whether the S-presso is really a new cup of coffee
Yogendra Pratap
Hatch On Stilts

There can be no denying that Renault was the first to exploit the market for cars that looked like SUVs and even though the Kwid did not have out-and-out SUV kind of looks, it passed off as an entry-level SUV-surrogate and did reasonably well on the markets, at least during the first half of its life. Maruti has gone a step further with the engineers deciding to give the car the boxy look that they have used so successfully on the Vitara Brezza. The difference is there for all to see. While the Kwid with its 3,731m length and 1,579mm width does not look odd-ball, the S-Presso with its 3,565mm length and 1,520mm width does look at-least a little strange from many angles. That is primarily because not only is the Kwid longer and wider, but it is lower as well, with 16mm of its 1,490mm height being contributed by the roof rails, while the S-Presso is a full 74mm taller. The S-Presso is the production version of the Future-S concept that Maruti had showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo and is based on the Heartect 5 platform that is going to underpin all of the company’s small hatches. The closest that the S-Presso comes to in size and underpinnings as well as the powertrain is the Alto K10. The wheelbase of the Alto has been increased by 20mm and that has also resulted in an increase of 20mm in the overall length of the car. The width of the S-Presso has also been increased, this time by 30mm and that has been accomplished by increasing both the front and rear tread by 21mm and 28mm respectively. But again the increase in height is much larger, by 89mm while the ground clearance of the two cars remains is just 20mm apart with the S-Presso having a ground clearance of 180mm. There the car looks strange specially from the rear even though the front is modelled on the Vitara Brezza. The front and the front three-fourths are the best angles for the S-Presso where it does look the part but the side profile makes it look just like a raised hatchback.

Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Auto Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Auto Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA AUTO TODAYSe alt
Old School Charm
Auto Today

Old School Charm

BSA's Gold Star 650 has arrived in the Indian market with a starting price of Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It takes a single-minded approach to retro looks, performance and cylinders. Does it have what it takes to be your garage's premier modern classic motorcycle?

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Destini's Child
Auto Today

Destini's Child

Is Hero's updated 125cc scooter finally destined to break into topselling products in its segment? Can the 2024 Destini 125 take the fight to the other top contenders? We recently headed down to sunny Goa to ride the updated Destini to find out if it is up to the task

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Drops of Jupiter
Auto Today

Drops of Jupiter

TVS has launched a thoroughly updated version of the Jupiter 110 which comes with several crucial updates. Does the Jupiter 110 have the chops to top the list of best-selling scooters in India? We headed to Hosur looking for an answer

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
A well-deserved CHANGE
Auto Today

A well-deserved CHANGE

Ever since Its launch, the Hyundai Alcazar been doing well in the Indian market. Now though, things have gotten spicier as Hyundai has updated the Alcazar. So what all has changed and does it make a difference? Let's find out

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Combustion Curvvs
Auto Today

Combustion Curvvs

Coupes are the new black, and the C-segment has its newest contender in the form of the Tata Curvv, which looks to take on the Creta and the Grand Vitara with a slightly different approach

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
CROSSOVER CULTURE
Auto Today

CROSSOVER CULTURE

MG's newest contender the Windsor takes out-of-the-box thinking to new levels, but can this Crossover Utility Vehicle offer enough to be your next mobility solution? Read on to find out

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
WHAT A MINI
Auto Today

WHAT A MINI

The Mini brand is all about being different and away from the rest. So does the Mini Countryman Electric stick to the plan? We find out

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Aston's Vanquish returns with an 835bhp V12
Auto Today

Aston's Vanquish returns with an 835bhp V12

ASTON MARTIN has revealed the new Vanquish, marking the return of the iconic nameplate after an absence of six years.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
NOT A GIMMICK
Auto Today

NOT A GIMMICK

We have heard of Xiaomi’s smartphones, TVs and tablets, but Anagh Bhaskar got the chance to get up close with the SU7, Xiaomi’s first ever attempt at a car that was first announced two years ago, and was launched in China earlier this year

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Definitive update for the executive saloon
Auto Today

Definitive update for the executive saloon

It has been 30 years since the E-Class was launched in India. Now it is time to launch the V214 version and it sure is after keeping the passenger pampered says Rahul Ghosh

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024