PERKY CUPPA ‘SPRESSO
THE 2023 SUZUKI S-PRESSO GL+ M/T
Suzuki’s super-mini, S-Presso, was born into controversy with safety police criticising the India-spec version. It had crashed disastrously, scoring a GlobalNCAP zero-star, non-rating. Negative press stuck to the local version as well, despite upgraded safety kit.
It’s now 2023 and things have changed. New S-Presso is stiffer and stronger with built-in energy absorbing crumple zones; has two airbags; ABS brakes with EBD and ESP; ISOFix mountings with top tethers, and rear parking distance control. AMT versions have hill starting assistance. It boasts three GNCAP safety stars; not yet five, but one would have to spend significantly more to get them.
Speaking of cost, our S-Presso GL+ test unit is presently the second-least expensive car in South Africa. The bottom spot belongs to its slightly plainer GL sibling.
Let’s see what one gets for entry-level money:
Suzuki’s upgraded K10C 998 cc, three-cylinder, 12-valve DOHC Dualjet engine with two injectors per cylinder, higher compression ratio and similar power numbers, but greater fuel efficiency; now rated at 4.4 litres per 100 km rather than the original car’s 4.9.
Five-speed manual or AMT transmission, electric front windows and side mirrors, automatic stop-start, manual air conditioner, halogen headlamps, audio and Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel, remote central locking, fabric and vinyl upholstery, steel * wheels on GL, alloy rims for GL+ and “S”, a seven-inch touchscreen on GL+ models,
and an etra appearance kit, nine-inch touchscreen and reversing camera on “S” versions.
One does not get a rev. counter, adjustable steering wheel, height adjustment on either front seat, or visor mirrors. The seating position is high; fine for drivers with “little legs” but not so great for taller folk.
Driver and co-pilot share a big, round information cluster that dominates centre-dash space - like on the original Mini. The upper half houses a digital speedometer, trip and fuel gauges and warning lights. An infotainment touchscreen occupies the lower half.
There’s a conventional hand brake between the seats, manual HVAC controls, a small oddments tray, two cup holders, a 12-volt socket and a USB port. Further storage is handled by a medium cubby, a small shelf, and door bins.
Back seat riders do without cup holders or armrest but do have door bins, a pair of head restraints and two-and-a-half seatbelts. Headspace is generous, knee room is adequate for 1.85 metre passengers and foot space is luxurious owing to the permanently high front chairs.
The boot loads at about 76 cm into a well 21 cm deep. It’s a simple space without light or lashing rings but, unlike early India-built cars, the metal parts are covered with lightweight carpeting. The one-piece seatback releases by lifting two knobs simultaneously, and folds with a step. The spare is below the baseboard. Jack and tools are under the driver’s seat.
Living with it: Power is average for a one-litre naturally aspirated engine and it’s fairly light, so S-Presso performs perkily in city traffic Well loaded and out on the freeway, however, it shouldn’t try running with the big dogs. Overall, it handles nimbly, parks in tight spaces, is easy on fuel and offers good all-round vision through big, square, side windows.
Summary: Reasonable cargo space, roomy, nimble and economical. Entry level doesn’t get much better than this.
Test unit from Suzuki Auto SA press fleet
The numbers Price, GL+ manual: R173 900. Oth
ers from R165 900 to R203 900 Engine: 998 cc, DOHC, 12-valve, inline three-cylinder, naturally aspirated Power: 49 kW at 5500 rpm Torque: 89 Nm at 3500 rpm 0-100 km/h: 13.8 seconds Top speed: 148 km/h Real life fuel consumption: About
5.3 l/100 km Tank: 27 litres Luggage: 239 litres Ground clearance: 181 mm Turning circle: 9.0 metres Warranty: Five years, 200 000 km Roadside assistance: Five years,
unlimited km Service plan: Three years, 45 000 km at annual or 15 000 km intervals