Suzuki Fronx

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The Suzuki Fronx (Japanese: スズキ・フロンクス, Hepburn: Suzuki Furonkusu) is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment)[7] produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki through its Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki since 2023. It is based on the Baleno hatchback, and positioned below the Brezza.[8][9]

Suzuki Fronx
2023 Suzuki Fronx 1.2 Delta+ (India)
Overview
ManufacturerSuzuki
Model code
Also called
  • Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor (India)[2]
  • Toyota Starlet Cross (Africa)[3]
Production2023–present
AssemblyIndia: Ahmedabad (Suzuki Motor Gujarat)
DesignerKoichiro Fukushima, Masahiro Kato, Vidyasagar Gupta, Abhishek Bhasker and Mohammad Arif[4][5]
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact crossover SUV (B)
Body style5-door SUV
Layout
PlatformHEARTECT B platform
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Hybrid drivetrainMild hybrid (1.0 L turbo & K15C 1.5 L)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,520 mm (99.2 in)
Length3,995 mm (157.3 in)
Width1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Height1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Curb weight965–1,060 kg (2,127–2,337 lb)

Overview

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Presented in January 2023 at the Auto Expo in India, the Fronx for the Indian market is exclusively available at the Nexa dealership chain reserved for high-end Maruti Suzuki models. It is Suzuki's second model in the sub-4 metre SUV segment in India after the Brezza, and occupies the lower bracket of India's sub-4 metre tax structure due to its smaller engine.[10]

According to a development manager of the Fronx, the vehicle was conceived from the idea to create an SUV that is widely accepted by the market while using existing resources, which is the Baleno platform. The development process included ideas such as making the tailgate more upright to emphasize the interior space, but the company chose to embrace a coupe-style rear with a tilted tailgate.[11] Compared to the Baleno, the bonnet has been heightened, the body panels reshaped, and the rear pillars are tilted forward. It has a 308-litre boot, 10 litres smaller than the Baleno due to a slightly raised loading floor.[12] The ground clearance is also raised by 20 mm (0.8 in) to 210 mm (8.3 in), a result of a modified suspension and larger 195/60 R16 tyres. Maruti Suzuki claims it had spent 9 billion rupees in the development of the Fronx.[13]

The Fronx has been exported from India since July 2023. Planned export markets include the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Australia and Japan.[7] For export markets, the 1.5-litre K15C four-cylinder engine with the Smart Hybrid system is available.[14]

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor / Starlet Cross

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A rebadged Fronx called the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor was unveiled in India on 3 April 2024. It receives a different grille design similar to the facelifted Toyota Rumion with different headlights and taillights. In India, it is offered in E, S, S+, G and V.[15] The former three are powered by the 1.2-litre petrol engine, while the G and V use the 1.0-litre petrol engine and the E grade uses both petrol and CNG engine.[16] The deliveries began in May 2024 and 13,496 units were sold till the end of September.[17]
The model went on sale in South Africa as the Toyota Starlet Cross. The Starlet Cross replaced the Toyota Urban Cruiser, a rebadged Suzuki Vitara Brezza.[18]

Markets

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India

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In the Indian market, the Fronx is offered in five variants: Sigma, Delta, Delta+, Zeta and Alpha. The latter three are powered by the 1.0-litre turbocharged mild hybrid petrol engine, while Sigma, Delta, and Delta+ uses the 1.2-litre petrol engine.[19] Ten months after launch in April 2023, 100,000 sales were achieved.The next 100,000 required only seven more months.[20]

The Fronx was unveiled in the GCC markets on 16 July 2023. It is powered by the 1.5-litre K15C mild hybrid petrol engine and it is offered in GL and GLX grade levels.

South Africa

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The Fronx was launched in South Africa on 15 August 2023, with two trim levels: GL and GLX; it is powered by the 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine paired to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.[21]

Japan

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The Japanese market Fronx was introduced in July 2024. Imported from India, the model comes with several changes and additions compared to the Indian model such as an advanced driver-assistance system, electronic parking brake, four-wheel drive option, and interior colour scheme alterations.[11] It is powered by the 1.5-litre K15C mild hybrid petrol engine.[22]

Powertrain

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The Fronx is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder K10C Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine rated at 73.6 kW (99 hp; 100 PS), with a 48V mild hybrid system. This engine option is available with a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed Aisin torque converter automatic transmission. Another engine option is the less expensive 1.2-litre K12N Dualjet petrol engine rated at 66 kW (89 hp; 90 PS), mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automated manual gearbox.[13]

Type Engine code[23] Displacement Power Torque Electric motor Battery Transmission Layout Calendar years
Petrol K12N Dualjet 1,197 cc (1.2 L) I4 66 kW (89 hp; 90 PS) @ 6,000 rpm 113 N⋅m (11.5 kg⋅m; 83.3 lb⋅ft) @ 4,400 rpm - -
FWD 2023–present
Petrol/CNG K12N Dualjet[24] 1,197 cc (1.2 L) I4 Petrol: 66 kW (89 hp; 90 PS) @ 6,000 rpm
CNG: 57 kW (76 hp; 77 PS) @ 6,000 rpm
Petrol: 113 N⋅m (11.5 kg⋅m; 83.3 lb⋅ft) @ 4,400 rpm
CNG: 98.5 N⋅m (10.0 kg⋅m; 72.6 lb⋅ft) @ 4,300 rpm
- - 5-speed manual FWD 2023–present (India only)
Petrol
mild hybrid
K10C Boosterjet 998 cc (1.0 L) turbocharged I3 73.6 kW (99 hp; 100 PS) @ 5,500 rpm 147.6 N⋅m (15.1 kg⋅m; 109 lb⋅ft) @ 2,000–4,500 rpm ISG Lithium-ion
FWD 2023–present
Petrol K15B[25] 1,462 cc (1.5 L) I4 77 kW (103 hp; 105 PS) @ 6,000 rpm 138 N⋅m (14.1 kg⋅m; 102 lb⋅ft) @ 4,400 rpm - -
FWD 2023–present (except India)
Petrol
mild hybrid
K15C 1,462 cc (1.5 L) I4 76 kW (102 hp; 103 PS) @ 6,000 rpm 137 N⋅m (14.0 kg⋅m; 101 lb⋅ft) @ 4,400 rpm ISG Lithium-ion
  • 5-speed manual
  • 6-speed automatic
FWD 2023–present (except India)
AWD 2024–present (Japan)

Sales

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Year India Mexico[26]
2023 94,393[27] 384

References

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  1. ^ https://www.suzuki.co.jp/car/fronx/asset/pdf/detail/detail.pdf
  2. ^ Chakralwale, Haji (3 April 2024). "Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor SUV launched in India at Rs. 7.73 lakh". CarWale. India: CarWale. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  3. ^ Bubear, Ryan (11 April 2024). "New Toyota Starlet Cross: SA details uncovered!". Cars.co.za. South Africa. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  4. ^ "JP, 1746335, S". www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  5. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjKFpZpRA_8
  6. ^ "Suzuki Fronx Breaks Cover In India As A Baleno-Based Urban SUV". Carscoops. 12 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b Leggett, David (13 July 2023). "Maruti Suzuki starts export of Fronx". Just Auto. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  8. ^ Chakravarty, Shubhodeep (12 January 2023). "Maruti Fronx compact SUV, based on Baleno, showcased at Auto Expo 2023". HT Auto. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Auto Expo 2023: Maruti Baleno SUV Unveiled As The Fronx | CarDekho.com". CarDekho. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Auto Expo 2023: Maruti Suzuki Fronx revealed, bookings open". Autocar India. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  11. ^ a b "【スズキ フロンクス】デザインの肝は「市場での存在感」、スズキの小型車を変える内外装とは" [[Suzuki Fronx] The key to design is "market presence" - what are the interior and exterior changes that will transform Suzuki's compact cars?]. レスポンス(Response.jp) (in Japanese). 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Maruti Suzuki Fronx test drive review". www.thehindubusinessline.com. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Get behind the wheel of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx". Autocar Professional. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  14. ^ "All-New Jimny 5-Door and All-New SUV Fronx Unveiled in India" (Press release). Suzuki. 12 January 2023.
  15. ^ "All New Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor Launched In India, Starting At Rs. 7.74 Lakhs". Motorlane. 3 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Toyota unveils Urban Cruiser Taisor at prices starting ₹7.73 lakh". The Hindu. 3 April 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Toyota Taisor sells 13,496 units in 5 months, contributes 11% to TKM's utility vehicle dispatches". Autocar Pro India. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  18. ^ "The Starlet Cross smash hit - Juliet McGuire Motoring Media". 29 July 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Maruti Suzuki Fronx: Variant-wise features explained". The Times of India. 19 January 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  20. ^ Ajit Dalvi (19 September 2024). "Maruti Fronx becomes second Nexa SUV to hit 200,000 sales". Autocar Professional India. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  21. ^ Du Toit, Albert (15 August 2023). "New Suzuki Fronx launched in South Africa – Pricing and features". TopAuto.
  22. ^ 株式会社インプレス (25 July 2024). "スズキの新型「フロンクス」プロトタイプに最速試乗! クーペスタイルのコンパクトSUVの走りをクローズドコースで味わう". Car Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Maruti Suzuki FRONX Specifications & Dimensions". NexaExperience. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Fronx Brochure" (PDF). Nexa Experience. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Maruti Suzuki Fronx gets a 1.5L Petrol engine in South Africa | Team-BHP". Team-BHP.com. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Venta al público y producción de vehículos ligeros por marca, modelo, segmento y país origen". Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI) (in Mexican Spanish).
  27. ^ "Best Selling Cars List of 2023!". Autopunditz. 22 January 2024.
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