Rumour: Suzuki S-Presso is Indonesia-bound, could be priced below RM 30k

One of Suzuki’s cheapest new model, the Suzuki S-Presso, is rumoured to be launched in Indonesia soon. If true, Indonesia will be the second market in this region to receive the S-Presso, after Philippines.

According to a report by Suara.com, Suzuki Indonesia is looking to introduce the S-Presso in the archipelago as a rival to the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky duo, as well as the Renault Kwid and Kia Sonet. The latter two are the S-Presso’s main rivals in India.

The same Indonesian source also added that the S-Presso could be priced below the IDR 100 million (~RM 30k) mark, thus comfortably undercutting all of its rivals. The Indonesian-spec Renault Kwid is priced between IDR 152 million (~RM 45k) to IDR 161 million (~RM 47k). 

In India, the Suzuki S-Presso is priced between INR 377,000 (~RM 22k) to INR 505,000 (~RM 29k, top-spec VXi petrol with AMT).

What is the Suzuki S-Presso?

The Suzuki S-Presso is essentially similar to the Perodua Axia Style – a crossover-esque city car. In India, Suzuki sells no less than 14 variants of the S-Presso, all powered by the same 996-cc three-cylinder engine. Depending on variant, the engine is either fed with petrol or compressed natural gas (CNG).

As such, power output varies – the petrol variant does 68 PS and 90 Nm, while the CNG version does 59 PS and 78 Nm. These numbers may seem puny, but keep in mind that the S-Presso is very light – its weight ranges from 726 kg to 854 kg.

Transmission options include a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic manual transmission (AMT, but Suzuki calls it AGS).

Safety equipment of the Suzuki S-Presso include dual airbags, ABS, and EBD. Stability control and traction control are not available on the S-Presso.

Any luck for Malaysia?

Don’t hold your breath for the Suzuki S-Presso to be launched in Malaysia. Without local assembly, our punitive taxation system would price the made-in-India Suzuki S-Presso far too expensive for its segment. For context, the Perodua Axia is priced between RM 23k to RM 41k.

Also Read: Review: Perodua Axia 2019 Style - Stands out from the crowd, but is it enough?

Instead of the Suzuki S-Presso, Naza Eastern Motors is looking to introduce “iconic” Suzuki models in Malaysia. The ZC33S-generation Suzuki Swift Sport is Naza’s first launch, and it will be followed by the all-new Suzuki Jimny.

Also Read: FAQ: All you need to know about the soon-to-be-launched in Malaysia 2021 Suzuki Jimny