Return of the Samurai

A redesigned city-car, all-new small SUV, replacements for the Swift and Jimny Sierra, and at least two other all-new models will form the core of a vital new model rollout that Suzuki Australia believes will push its annual sales to beyond 30,000 by 2017.

The Alto-replacing Celerio micro-hatch and all-new Vitara kick off the new model action early next year, followed in 2016 by an all-new Corolla small-car competitor and another as-yet unannounced new model — possibly a long-overdue replacement for Grand Vitara that will be offered in both five- and seven-seat variants.

Suzuki has confirmed the Swift and Jimny Sierra will also be replaced by redesigned models, but has not confirmed exact timing. However, given its promise of two new models a year between now and 2017, we expect they'll arrive within three years.

Adding to this gush of new product — which Suzuki admits was plugged because it stopped new product development for too long after the global financial crisis – are more efficient new small-displacement direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines, which Suzuki Australia General Manager - Automobile Andrew Moore said are destined for the Swift, S-Cross and Vitara.

Moore said such engine technology provides Suzuki with the opportunity to offer a GTI performance version of the Swift, which he added “is something we’re pushing for. There’s early indications that Suzuki Japan want to make the Swift Sport ‘hotter'. The earliest arrival timing for the hot Swift is 2016.

Of the confirmed arrivals, first up in February next year is the Celereo, a pint-size replacement for the Alto. Built in Thailand, the 1.0-litre three-cylinder city-car is larger than the Alto but will sell for the same $11,790 price as the Alto before its discounted run-out pricing.

“We still want to be Australia's cheapest car, but in terms of lowest sticker price, that’s something that doesn't really phase us. In terms of ownership cost, that’s the key.”

The Euro-spec Celereo received a three-star ENCAP safety rating, but the Australian model has a higher airbag count and Suzuki expects it will gain a four-star rating here.

The new Vitara -- based on the S-Cross, and Suzuki’s first monocoque SUV and first entrant in the small SUV segment -- will arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2015 with extensive personalisation options such as two-tone exteriors and various dealer-fit interior trim colour options. The Vitara will also be among the first vehicles in Australia to offer Apple Car Play.

While pricing was not confirmed, Moore said it would start at a similar level to S-Cross, meaning in the low $20,000 bracket. Main competitors for the Hungarian-built Vitara include the Nissan JUKE and Mazda's upcoming CX-3.

Suzuki's new-product rollout can’t come soon enough. VFACTS figures to the end of October, at 14,441, are down 20.8 per cent on the same period in 2013, accounting for just 1.6 per cent of the total market. Suzuki's best annual sales figure in recent times came in 2010, when it achieved 24,789 sales and a market share of 2.4 per cent.