MARUTI SUZUKI S-PRESSO Very Expressive

Maruti is offering a standard version, an LXi, a VXi with both manual transmission and AGS and a VXi+ also with MT and AGS. The VXi and VXi+ variants get bigger tyres at 165/70 R14, while those below get only 145/80 R13 tyres.  The dimensions for all the variants are similar except for the height of the VXi and the VXi+ which is 1564mm, the other two being 1549mm. The length of the model is 3565mm, the width is 1520mm and the wheelbase is 2380mm.

Engine: 998cc K10B petrol engine

Max power: 67hp@5500rpm

Max Power: 90Nm@3500rpm

Length 3565mm

Width 1520mm

Height 1564mm

Wheelbase 2380mm.

Tyre size: 165/70 R14 tyres

SUSPENSION

Front: MacPherson strut with coil spring

Rear: Torsion beam with coil spring

BRAKES

Front: Ventilated disc

Rear: Drum

EXTERIORS

The vehicle definitely has a high stance and looks a lot tough and aggressive from the front.  The bold fascia and the twin chamber headlights, make up for the front, with a muscular looking bonnet. As an extra accessory, one can get DRLs too with a switch to operate it inside.

Then there are the body coloured bumpers.  The side profile looks good with its side body cladding and the decent ground clearance. Being the top end variant it gets body coloured ORVMs which are adjustable from inside. Mind you, this adjustable feature is only for the VXi+ variant. Then there are body coloured outside door handles and B-pillar black out tape. The vehicle sits on non alloy tyres with full wheel covers. The squarish wheel arches are quite noticeable. There is a roof antenna too.

As you move to the rear, the car looks a bit narrow and not as smart as the front.  But then there are these signature C-Shaped tail lamps.  Overall, the vehicle has an impressive look. Maruti Suzuki calls it a mini SUV. Here I may not at all agree with them. That’s being a bit too ambitious. It’s a solid looking small car.

INTERIORS

When you step inside, you realise that it is no pushover in terms of features. The interiors look very decent and what really stares at you when you are inside is the huge circular centre console on the smart looking dashboard, a la BMW Mini kind. But this is huge by any proportions and this houses the infotainment system and the instrument cluster. But hey, why are the speedometer and other such gauges not in front of the driver? Well, Maruti Suzuki thinks this is cool and I did find this very cool. When you are driving your car, you are at the most bothered about your speed, and since the screen displays the speed in a very large font, I don’t think anyone, young or old will be complaining.

The front seats are good with decent thigh as well as lumbar support. All seats have an integrated head rest. At the rear, there is very good space for two adults, though three would be a squeeze. The rear headrests serve as a mere showpiece as they have no role to play to support you head. There are no charging points at the rear, nor are there any AC blowers.

The instrument cluster has a digital display where apart from speed, you get to see fuel consumption figures both instantaneous and average, headlamp on warning, gear position indicator and distance to empty.

The car comes with an air conditioner and heater, storage spaces in front as well as rear floor console, a glove box, limited spaces on the inner door panels and a large boot space. This top variant also gets a parcel tray. It gets a USB and Aux in front along with a 12V socket. Power windows are there for the front ones which are controlled by two switches on the dash, while the rear windows get a manual adjustment.

The non adjustable power steering wheel gets steering mounted audio and voice controls. The vehicle has a 7 inches touch screen infotainment system. This is only offered in the VXi+ variant.  It is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and has Bluetooth connectivity. With a simple touch of your finger you can select your music from various sources, you can call anybody through the pared phone for hands free conversation, there is navigation, and one can also turn your smartphone into a remote control for using this screen by downloading SmartPlay Studio App.

The screen also displays your vehicle alerts where you get details of driving range, fuel average and other parameters of your vehicle performance. Also, if your door is open at any stage while the car is moving, there is a door alert message that is prompted on the screen.

PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY

An AMT is fun if you understand it well. There is no Park mode in it, but you get Neutral, Drive Mode, Reverse and Manual.  On the road, while the cabin was relatively insulated to sound of passing vehicles, the engine did sound a bit as though it was whining. The 998cc petrol engine produces a peak power of 67hp @ 5500rpm and a peak torque of 90Nm@3500rpm.

Now all you out there who are driving an AMT for the first time, you should realise this car comes with  a crawl or a creep function, when you take the foot off the brake and the car creeps forward and this function is a boon in choc a block traffic scenario.

The problem comes when you have to suddenly go fast or overtake. I had to keep up with my cameraperson who was speeding ahead in another car. While that car went like a rocket, in order to keep up with him I had to get into M or Manual mode. That was the only way to pick up speed. The car’s suspension was on the stiffer side, and tiny bumps on the road did not matter. The brakes have a decent bite. They comprise of ventilated disc in front and drum at the rear. The front suspension comprises MacPherson strut with coil spring and torsion beam with coil spring at the rear.

Now if one were to simply floor the accelerator pedal in Drive Mode, the results will be disastrous. There is something known as a kickdown which is essentially a downshift which is activated when one pushes the car’s accelerator to the floor. Instead of getting higher speeds, the car jerks and then as though it is taking a deep breath, it moves ahead.  That’s wrong style of driving and nothing to do with the AMT flaw. Here is how it sounds when you floor the pedal.

One should remember that an AMT does not work like a CVT or a more modern automatic gear box. But since it is a lot more affordable and is easy to maintain, most of the entry level cars get this transmission.

Built on the HEARTECT Platform, the S-Presso has several safety features like pedestrian protection, Immobiliser, speed sensitive auto door lock, child proof rear door lock, airbags for front passengers, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, speed alter system, low fuel warning (In SmartPlay Studio), Door ajar warning (In SmartPlay Studio).

Except for the whining I found the little fellow quite a speedster. As for calling it a mini SUV, I tossed the car around a bit on a barren track. It took the punishment quite gracefully.  The S-Presso is not a mini SUV, but definitely a smart, strong and cool vehicle, just as invigorating as an espresso coffee and very expressive.