SUZUKI

2020 S-Presso micro SUV will cost about PhP 500k

Remember when Suzuki launched the tiny S-Presso over in India? Looking a lot like a hatchback on stilts, the odd-looking vehicle is as small as an Alto, but is as relatively tall as an SUV. Given its quirks, the S-Presso would make for a great small vehicle in the country right?
Well it looks like we will actually be getting the S-Presso; and it's coming sooner than you think.
A Suzuki Philippines executive (who wished to not be named) just confirmed with us that the S-Presso is indeed arriving, and will essentially replace the aging Alto as the brand's most affordable model. Longer, wider, and taller than the tiny hatchback, the S-Presso will serve as the company's latest affordable vehicle once it's officially launched in the country.
Upon checking their official website, we were surprised to see that the Alto has indeed been removed, albeit quietly.
For those worried that the Celerio might also be replaced because of the S-Presso's arrival, the executive said that the Celerio will still be offered in the country. They also mentioned that since the S-Presso will only come with a manual gearbox, the Celerio will continue to cater for those that prefer an automatic (although the Celerio can come with a manual).
All well and good but how much will the S-Presso cost? According to the executive, it will be priced about PhP 500,000. Should this be the case, the S-Presso might just be the most affordable "SUV" in the market.



So what can we expect from Suzuki's upcoming mini SUV? For starters, the S-Presso measures 3565mm long, 1520mm wide, and 1549mm tall. This means it trounts the Alto by 170mm, 30mm, and 74mm respectively. It also has a longer wheelbase which measures in at 2380mm, 20mm more than the Alto. But what is perhaps its most important trait is its 180mm ground clearance. Given how bad our roads can be, not to mention the flooding that occurs during the rainy season, the S-Presso tall ride height will give it an edge over regular hatchbacks.
As for what's under the hood, the S-Presso will be powered by a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine. Like the Celerio, it makes 67 PS along with 90 Nm of torque. A five-speed manual gearbox will supposedly be the sole transmission option for the PH-spec S-Presso.



There is no exact date as to when the Suzuki S-Presso will be launched in the country. Supposedly though, the automaker is looking to reveal the tiny SUV at around March of this year.

Marcus De Guzman