Vehicle Launch
By Howard Keeg
Is it for the Bronx? Is it a prancing horse from Milan? Is it a breezing Vitara? Maybe it is all three? The all-new Suzuki Fronx asks many questions, and gives you most of the answers. What does Suzuki say?
Suzuki Auto says they are inviting South Africans to Shape Your New with the fresh and funky Fronx. This new model was first revealed at the company’s global conference in India in January this year. At the event, it joined other new models, such as the Suzuki Jimny five-door 4x4 and the family-sized XL6 SUV on stage. All three models are due for launch in South Africa, with the Fronx leading the charge. “With our new Fronx, we want to show South Africans that they do not have to compromise on style, performance and safety when buying in the compact SUV segment,” says Brendon Carpenter, brand marketing manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa. “The coupé SUV body style, with its bold front grille and sloping roofline, offers a fresh choice in this market segment, and the K15B 1.5 litre petrol engine promises great performance and low fuel consumption. And to sweeten the deal, we have added all the must-have styling options, such as roof rails, daytime running lights and alloy wheels to all models, regardless of their specification level or price.”
So where does the Fronx name come from? Carpenter notes that the Fronx name is derived from two terms. The first is “Frontier” which refers to both the way in which the vehicle crosses a frontier for Suzuki in this market segment and how its design crosses a frontier between SUV and coupé. The second term is “X”, pointing to the crossover nature of the Fronx. So it is for the Bronx and the Wild West. So there you have it.
At the media launch, held in the Cape Winelands in August 2023, all and sundry were impressed, with the handling, the style, the fuel consumption, the power, the space, and most importantly, the price. And it wasn’t the wine talking, although it did help the Gautengers, who were looking out for the potholes to really test the car. But enough of the sarcastic Cape wit, and let us have a look at more of what Suzuki has to say. The press blurb says that the Suzuki Fronx has the same design DNA as several of the other recent models in the group’s line-up, including the new Grand Vitara and the new Suzuki Baleno. The design language is called Crafted Futurism and combines a feel of well-built quality with forward-thinking styling. With the design of the Fronx, the Suzuki designers were given free rein to explore the furthest reaches of this new design language. The result is a combination of the signature Suzuki SUV design elements, plus some innovative tweaks. It is specced to the brim, and as safe as an overpaid occupant in a blue-light brigade. And as I said, the value-for-money offering is remarkable, and a better deal than a Blue Label bottle at an ANC conference. Every Suzuki Fronx is offered with a 5-year/200 000 km promotional mechanical warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan. A comprehensive 5-year roadside assistance plan and a 6-year unlimited kilometre anti-corrosion warranty are also part of the purchase price.
Pricing starts at R279 900, for the impressive 1.5 GL MT, which is the model I would go for. Even if you go up the scale, the price remains at affordable levels. But don’t take my word for it, go and find out more. You can thank me later.
