Coffee anyone? The all new Suzuki S-Presso is here - stand tall, stand bold

I have to confess that when the invite for the launch of the Suzuki S-Presso came through (before the lockdown), I could not help but think of coffee. As a coffee lover, it was the natural thing for my mind to wonder what could be in the offering from Suzuki. As every connoisseur will tell you, the best way to experience quality coffee is to remove all but the very essence and to concentrate the flavour in a short, very flavourful and perhaps addictive espresso.

With the launch cancelled, I could not wait to get behind the wheel of the S-Presso and that happened with the move to Level 3 lockdown. The coffee inspiration behind the S-Presso: a new urban SUV that condenses all the best Suzuki characteristics in a compact and affordable package.

Stand tall and bold

With the introduction of cars such as the Suzuki Jimny and later the Ignis, Suzuki is widely credited for creating the ultra-compact SUV market segment. The S-Presso joins this illustrious duo with a pure SUV design, high ground clearance and commanding driving position.

It’s hard not to notice the S-Presso, especially with the funky bold colours that really make this four-door entry-level standout. Viewed from the front, the S-Presso catches the eye with its bold four-slot grille with large S-emblem. The grille is bold and striking. Below the grille, the lower black bumper is swept up in a trapezoidal shape into the coloured main bumper to create a larger air intake and the visual impression of a high-riding SUV. Not that it is simply a visual trick – the S-Presso has a ground clearance of 180mm on all models, thanks in part to its the 14-inch steel wheels.

The SUV styling continues along the side of the S-Presso with bold fenders and semi-squared-off wheel arches over the wheels with trapezoidal full wheel covers. The wheels have been placed at the outer corners of the S-Presso to ensure good road holding and to allow the engineers to fit a 2.38m wheelbase into this 3.56m long vehicle.

All models also feature colour-coded door handles and side mirrors, with the choice of six exterior colours: Sizzle Orange, Pearl Starry Blue, Fire Red, Metallic Granite Grey, Metallic Silky Silver and White and each colour accentuate the bold and stand tall look of the S-Presso.

At the rear, a small integrated spoiler is added to the hatch door, while the square rear lights with their C-design have been moved above the shoulder line to strengthen the SUV design theme. A black rear bumper, with a design similar to the front bumper, is fitted below the coloured section and features the number plate recess and integrated parking sensors, which are standard across the entire S-Presso range.

Safety and Heartect

Heartect is Suzuki’s latest-generation platform that underpins models such as the Dzire, Ignis and Swift. It utilises precision engineering and high and ultra-high tensile steel to create a platform that is not only very light but also very rigid. This translates into better performance and handling, lower noise, vibration and harshness as well as class-leading passive safety.

All models in the new S-Presso range feature two airbags as standard and is fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with emergency brake-force distribution (EBD). All S-Presso models feature reverse parking sensors as standard, while GL+ and S-Edition models will further complement this system with an in-built reverse camera.

What’s inside

Step inside the new S-Presso and you will immediately be struck by the bold dashboard design and large circular centre console. This centre console houses a funky digital speedometer and trip computer, the radio or infotainment system and the centrally mounted electric window and hazard switches. I hardly noticed that I was in a smaller vehicle.

The seven-inch colour infotainment system on GL+ and S-Edition models is designed for legibility and ease of use, this centre console allows the driver to view and control the most important vehicle features effortlessly from behind the wheel. It also offers USB and auxiliary ports and Bluetooth connectivity as standard and will display the image from the in-built reverse camera on the screen.

Supplied

All versions of the S-Presso are very well equipped and feature electric windows for the front occupants, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, power steering and a multi-information display, which includes information such as distance to empty, trip duration and distance travelled.

- The new Suzuki S-Presso shares its engine with the much-loved Suzuki Celerio. This three-cylinder engine is code-named K10B and offers 50kW at 5,500 r/min and 90Nm of torque at 3.500 r/min, thanks to its use of multi-point fuel injection and four valves per cylinder. 50kW and 90Nm of torque.

- Average fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km.

- Manual or AMT transmission available.

- Service plan and mechanical warranty included Suzuki Auto will offer all versions of the Suzuki S-Presso together with a two-year/30,000km service plan and five-year/200,000km mechanical warranty.