Check out! Design of Suzuki 2016 IGNIS compact crossover

Japanese carmaker Suzuki has shed the covers off a pre-production concept of the Ignis compact crossover before its official debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Ignis is the moniker given to the Suzuki iM-4 concept which was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

ZEEGNITION / Ishaan Rastogi

Japanese carmaker showed off two concept designs at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show - the iM-4 compact crossover and the iK-2 premium hatchback. While the iK-2 has been christened as the new Baleno and is headed for the Indian roads, Suzuki has now unveiled a production ready concept of the iM-4 which has been named Ignis.

The Ignis is a compact crossover designed to ply on city roads. Its design is quirky and seems to have borrowed a lot of styling elements from Japanese Kei cars. The production worthy design stays true to the iM-4 concept with not too many visual differences. The striking front end features a wide grille that encapsulates the headlamps up high and chrome accented circular fog lights which flank the number plate beneath the bumper. Its entire boxy design is quite contemporary with flared wheel-arches breaking the monotony of its side profile along with blacked out A and B-pillars. At the back, the big square-ish tail lamp clusters are reminiscent of some of the older BMW SUVs and, in my opinion, is the Ignis’ least flattering viewing angle.

On the inside, the dual tone cabin is likely to get a touchscreen infotainment system display equipped with smart features like Apple’s Airplay. Despite the unveiled version being quite close to a production ready package, Suzuki is still calling the Ignis a concept and as a result, most of the car’s tech-specs are a bit hazy. Reports suggest that the Ignis will be powered by Suzuki’s new 1.0-litre BoosterJet petrol engine with a 1.2-litre mild hybrid variant also a possibility. The Ignis is also likely to come equipped with a CVT gearbox, brake energy conversion and Suzuki’s SHVS start-stop technology. Another rumour doing its rounds is that the Ignis may be offered with the company’s All-Grip all-wheel-drive system making it a worthy Jimny replacement in the Suzuki line-up.

Up until now, it was unclear if Suzuki would bring this car to India. However the president of Suzuki, Toshiro Suzuki, stated that the Japanese firm would bring all its models to India barring its tiny ‘Kei’ cars which have a huge cult following in Japan. Besides the Ignis, Suzuki has been teasing another slightly larger SUV which is called the XA Alpha. Expect to see it on road sometime over the next year given that it was first showcased back in 2012 at the Indian Auto Expo.

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