Suzuki S-Cross concept (2012) first pictures

Suzuki will launch the S-Cross crossover in late 2013, as a Golf-sized 4x4 to succeed the SX4. It's a bigger vehicle than today's SX4 and marks the end of the collaboration with Fiat which spawned the Sedici.

The Italians will now turn to inhouse partner Jeep while Suzuki develops the new S-Cross itself. It'll be built at the firm's plant in Hungary.

This is based on what Suzuki calls a new platform, which will offer front- or four-wheel drive and a suite of low-CO2 petrol and diesel engines.

Platform chief Yasushi Sasaki told CAR that the company had three crossover architectures and the new S-Cross will be 'fun to drive' as well as spacious.

It'll target Golf/Focus buyers and those trading out of midi-MPVs. CAR understands sales of the S-Cross - looking remarkably unchanged from this '70%' concept car - will start in late 2013 for around £16,000. Today's SX4 costs from £12,000 but is s smaller vehicle.

The company is suffering in Europe owing to high exchange rates and lulls in the product cycle, with sales down to 234,000 last year. 'We must keep above 300,000,' said Kenichi Ayukawa, managing officer of global marketing. He promised a new model every year for the next four years, at least two of which are new, incremental products.

However, sales in the UK are bearing up, with an increase of 22% year to date in 2012. Thank strong sales of Swift and a range of special offers.

By Tim Pollard