Suzuki S-Cross 140 Volt: behind the wheel of the full hybrid version

Alessio Macaluso

@
alessiomacaluso

21 September

– VERONA

In the “raised” range of the Suzuki family, the S-Cross is probably the model that has undergone the most evident renewal. Today it is a more original SUV with a well-defined personality, quite far from that of its cousin Vitara. And then it must be said: with the current design it has finally convinced even the spoiled European public, historically with the palate more difficult to please. Accomplice to this result was the choice to develop the style and look of the new Suzuki S-Cross from the pencils of the style center that Suzuki has placed right here in Italy, in Turin. Today, the S-Cross engine range is completed with what can be defined as one in jargon full hybrid. A prerogative that from the headquarters of the Japanese company they did not want to rename with some incomprehensible acronym, leaving everything to a synthetic and explicit “140 Volt”. A complete and varied hybrid panorama is offered by Suzuki, with a range that ranges from the 12 v of the Ignis and Swift to the 355 v of the Across, which however is a plug-in hybrid.

Mechanics: engine, gearbox and traction

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The core of our road test aboard the Suzuki S-Cross 140 v is therefore the engine. Or rather: the engines. In fact, a traditional one and a half liter heat engine works in combination DualJet per cycle Atkinson and a 33.5 hp electric unit. A powertrain which in total develops a power of 115 hp, not exactly that of a sports car, but just enough to guarantee a dynamic and pleasant drive. Indeed, from the selector on the central tunnel it is also possible to set the “Sport” setup which favors a more dynamic driving setting. The lithium-titanium battery that powers the electric motor is 0.8 kW. Everything is managed by the Ags robotic transmission (Automatic Gear Shift) complete with a sequential function, which can be exploited, however, not by the gear lever, but only by means of the paddles behind the steering wheel. The work of the electric motor is clever, making gear changes incredibly smooth, modulating the clutch, among other things, and hiding the typical power gaps that exist in the transition from one gear to another. Those who are not satisfied with front-wheel drive can also count on all-wheel drive with 4WD AllGrip system. In addition to the aforementioned “Sport”, it is possible to manage the distribution of torque on different setups. “Auto”, “Snow” and the more extreme “Lock”, the favorite of authentic off-road purists, with joint locking and even distribution on all four wheels.

Connected, for the first time

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Among the novelties at the debut on the Suzuki S-Cross 140 v there is the debut of the connection system that allows you to control many parameters of the car remotely. To do this, just download the app Suzuki Connect, available for both Apple and Android smartphones. From here it is possible to know the position of the car, a useful solution for chronically distracted people or in case of theft. But it is also possible to know the fuel level and other information on the status of the car. Through the app you can also open and close the doors and, by setting a “virtual fence”, receive a notification if the car leaves this border. Solution that further increases security in case of theft, but which can also be useful for particularly anxious parents. The connection system Suzuki Connect it is free for the first year of the car’s life, while thereafter it provides an annual subscription of 45 euros.

How it goes on the road

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The test of the new Suzuki S-Cross 140 v took place between Verona and the hills between Valpolicella and Lake Garda. City then, but also a lot of mixed and some fast roads. Enough to understand how this 140 v confirms itself to all intents and purposes as one full hybrid. In the city, at low speeds you almost always travel in electric mode. Suzuki technicians speak of almost 5 km that can be traveled with the 1.5 petrol turned off, even when traveling at 60 km / h. Numbers that were confirmed during the road test. On mixed roads, the heat engine comes into play more often and the curves of the course invite a brighter ride. The S-Cross has a pleasant set-up, transmits confidence, also thanks to the impeccable work of the gearbox and steering, the latter precise and never too soft. Roll is limited and the car enters corners without lying down too much. As mentioned, the S-Cross does not want to be a racing car, even if activating the “Sport” mode and using the sequential gearbox behind the steering the fun is real. Also like the driving position, raised, as befits the segment to which the Japanese car belongs. As well as visibility, good at all “latitudes”, even if when maneuvering it is always better to rely on the camera that controls the entire perimeter of our S-Cross. A full hybrid therefore good at keeping emissions and consumption at bay, with the latter which, without paying too much attention, were well below 6 liters of petrol per 100 km.

How it goes astray

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Just take a look at the sales data of Suzuki models to understand how much the customers who choose the Japanese brand are fond of all-wheel drive. The percentage of those who buy an integral Suzuki model is doubling compared to any other generalist brand. A passionate public, therefore, that does not become too formal when the asphalt under the wheels ends. A 4WD AllGrip put to the test on a completed offroad course ad hoc and that it does everything (or almost everything) by leaving the selector on “Auto”. Perfect on twist, the torque is by default all forward, with the electronics which, however, also distributes it to the rear at the first loss of grip of one of the front wheels. On steeper uphill slopes, on unstable and stony ground, it is better to enter the “Lock” mode so as to have adequate thrust on all four wheels. With a little run-up and managing the accelerator smoothly and with constant throttle, it is therefore possible to climb really challenging slopes.

Equipment and prices

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As usual Suzuki stands out for the absence of options. In fact, everything is standard, including level 2 autonomous driving and safety systems Adas. There really is everything, including the panoramic roof or the 360-degree camera. The only item in the list of paid accessories is the metallic paint which costs 650 euros. The pastel white is instead included in the price. The price list therefore travels on only two tracks. That of the front-wheel drive, from 32,890 euros and that of the 4WD AllGrip from 35,590 euros.

What we liked most and least about the new Suzuki S-Cross full hybrid from 140 Volt.

• Price / equipment ratio: everything is standard except the metallic paint and you do not get lost in the configuration.
• Interesting consumption: in the city people often travel in electric mode and consumption is grateful.
• Suzuki all-wheel drive works well and is efficient.

• Sometimes slow gearbox in response: it works well and does not make you feel “lack of power”, but at times it is a bit lazy and makes the engine revs rise.