Suzuki has revealed a new flagship SUV called Across, which is the first Suzuki to gain a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Essentially, the Suzuki Across is a rebadged version of the Toyota RAV4, which forms part of the two brands’ recently confirmed partnership to collaborate on electrified vehicles.
The Across is the first model born from this partnership, with sales expected to start during autumn this year. Suzuki will follow-up the launch of this new SUV with a Toyota Corolla-based hybrid hatchback towards the end of 2020.
Cosmetic revisions over its RAV4 sibling include new front and rear bumpers and a redesigned front grille, new LED headlamps and some tweaked tail lights. Buyers also get a set of 19-inch alloy wheels and a choice of six different paint finishes.
Inside, the new Suzuki Across features a multifunction steering wheel, air conditioning and a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which offers support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a range of storage bins and cup holders scattered throughout the cabin, as well as an electrical accessory socket fitted in the SUV’s 490-litre boot.
The Suzuki Across is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which comprises a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor mounted on each axle. Combined, the system has an output of 180bhp and 270Nm of torque – which Suzuki says will offer a maximum all-electric range of 47 miles.
As with the RAV4, the Across’s powertrain sports an independent rear electric motor, which can vary the torque ratio between the front and rear axle. Suzuki says this gives the Across better stability on slippery surfaces, as well as improving the SUV’s cornering ability.
The Across’s PHEV powertrain comes with a range of driver profiles, which allows the SUV to operate in either hybrid or fully-electric mode. There’s also an extra setting which holds the battery’s charge level for use later in the journey, as well as a battery charger mode which can top-up the battery pack without the need to visit a charging station.
Finally, there’s a Trail setting, which Suzuki says will manipulate the car’s differential and braking system to provide the best performance off-road. The system automatically sends power to the wheels with the most grip – and brakes the wheels that are losing traction – while adjusting the throttle and gearbox shift pattern to keep the Across moving.
Buyers also get a wealth of safety equipment, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, road sign assist and a blind-spot monitoring system. There’s also a rear cross-traffic alert system and an active cruise control system, which can automatically control the SUV’s throttle and braking in stop-start traffic.
Suzuki has confirmed that sales of the Across will commence in Europe this autumn, but prices have not been confirmed. However, it won’t stray far at all from the RAV4’s £33,450 basic price.
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