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Following the success of its Swift and SX4 models, Suzuki is set to launch a city car designed specifically for export markets. The compact five-door is yet to be revealed, but Suzuki is showcasing many of its design themes in a show vehicle called the Concept A-Star.
Suzuki claims its new production hatchback will have an all-new Euro 5-compliant 1.0-litre aluminium petrol engine with CO2 emissions lower than those of European competitors (the company's target is below 109g/km).
The Concept A is being shown first in India, where the Japanese company has held 50 per cent market share for the past three years.
Suzuki has a partnership with the Government of India and established Maruti Udyog Limited (now named Maruti Suzuki India Limited). Its Gurgaon plant began producing cars in December 1983.
The production model of the Concept A-Star will be manufactured at Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant, and will be marketed mainly in Europe and other countries including India.
Full production is scheduled to start next October. The new 1.0-litre aluminium engine will be produced by Maruti Suzuki India, and a manual transmission for it will be manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India.
Suzuki Powertrain India also produces a 1.3-litre diesel engine, but Suzuki does not plan to use it in the new car as it says 1.0-litre petrol engine is environmentally superior.
It is the first concept car in which designers from Maruti Suzuki India's research and development division have been involved from the initial stage of its styling.
