Rev up your sense of humor, folks, because Suzuki Auto is throwing a party, and they're inviting South Africans to "Shape Your New" with the groovy and offbeat Fronx!
Picture this: a car that's part SUV, part coupé – it's like the automotive equivalent of a mullet, business up front, party at the back! The Fronx is about to drop on the South African scene and it's bringing style, performance, and wallet-friendly motoring to the table.
Now, the Fronx made its grand debut at Suzuki's global shindig in India. And let me tell you, it didn't just enter the stage; it strutted in alongside other models like the Jimny five-door 4x4 and the XL6 SUV. But guess who's leading this parade? Yep, you got it, the Fronx is taking the spotlight.
Brendon Carpenter, the Brand Marketing Maestro at Suzuki Auto South Africa, declares, "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." In other words, they're saying, "Why settle for boring when you can have Fronx-tastic?"
Now, let's talk about this "coupé SUV" thing. It's like taking the best parts of a sports car and an SUV and making them do a fusion dance. The Fronx rocks a bold front grille and a roofline that's so slick it practically moonlights as a waterslide. Plus, it's packing a K15B 1.5-liter petrol engine that's all about the vroom-vroom and less about the cha-ching at the gas pump.
And here's the kicker: Suzuki isn't skimping on style. Nope, they're tossing in all the cool extras like roof rails, daytime running lights, and alloy wheels. It's like getting a pizza with all the toppings, no matter if you're going for the basic model or the one with all the bells and whistles.
Now, the name Fronx? It's a mashup of "Frontier" (because it's venturing into new territory for Suzuki) and "X" (because it's crossing over like a pro). So, it's basically the SUV version of a rockstar.
There are four flavors of Fronx to choose from: the Fronx GL with a manual or automatic transmission and the fancier Fronx GLX, also with a manual or automatic transmission.
Alright, let's talk design. Suzuki's got a thing called "Crafted Futurism," which is like the automotive equivalent of creating art while wearing a space helmet. The Fronx inherits the genes of its Suzuki siblings like the Grand Vitara and Baleno, but it's like the rebellious teenager of the family who's experimenting with wild new looks. You've got the signature Suzuki grille, swooping roofline, snazzy wheel arches, dual-layer front lights, and LED tail lamps. The GLX even comes with a light bar that's longer than your weekend to-do list.
And Suzuki Auto South Africa didn't just sprinkle the fancy stuff on the top models. Nope, they're giving everyone 16” alloy wheels, roof rails (the silver kind for GLX), a spoiler with a shark fin antenna, and daytime running lights that shine brighter than your morning mood. Oh, and the mirrors match the car's color, except for the dual-color models that have black mirrors. It's like they're playing matchy-matchy with style.
Size-wise, the Fronx isn't trying to be the big cheese. It's compact and cute, measuring in at 3.995 meters long and 1.765 meters wide. But don't be fooled by its modest dimensions; there's enough room inside to fit a small army. For comparison, it's smaller than the Grand Vitara but bigger than the S-Presso (which sounds like an espresso, but for cars).
Now, let's talk space for your stuff. With the rear seats up, you've got 304 liters of cargo room. Fold 'em down, and it grows to 605 liters. It's like having a car that's part vehicle, part storage unit.
Alright, let's dive into the cabin. It's spacious and filled with all the modern conveniences you'd expect. Leather-clad steering wheel? Check. Bluetooth, audio controls, and cruise control on the steering wheel? Yup, they're all there. Oh, and cruise control is standard across the board, so you can chill while the Fronx takes care of business. The steering wheel's even adjustable, so you can find your perfect driving position.
And that's not all, folks. Electric windows, automatic climate control, central locking, USB charging points, and a nifty center console that moonlights as an armrest and storage compartment are all part of the package. Plus, there's some magic going on under the hood to keep the noise and vibrations at bay, making your ride quieter than a library during a power outage.
Now, for the fancy-pants GLX models, Suzuki goes all out. You get keyless entry with push-button start, wireless charging, head-up display, and more lights than a Hollywood premiere in the glove compartment and footwells. The infotainment system gets a boost, too, going from 7” to 9” and offering a 360-degree view with cameras in every direction. Plus, it's got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can jam to your tunes and navigate like a boss.
And speaking of style, the GLX models get some extra silver trim and faux leather inserts, making them fancier than a penguin in a tuxedo.
Under the hood, all Fronx models pack the punchy K15B engine. It's a 1.5-liter four-cylinder powerhouse that cranks out 77 kilowatts and 138 Newton-meters of torque. Translation: It's got the guts to tackle the road without guzzling gas like a thirsty camel. And with a lightweight frame, it's got a power-to-weight ratio that's the envy of the gym bros.
Now, you've got two transmission options: a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. It's like picking between a stick shift and a trusty butler who shifts for you. The Fronx sits on Suzuki's HEARTECT platform, which sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But in reality, it means better safety and less weight, which is a win-win. It's got a rack-and-pinion steering system, a MacPherson-strut front suspension with ventilated disc brakes, and a rear Torsion Beam suspension system with drum brakes. Translation: It handles like a dream, whether you're cruising the city or going off-road to hunt for parking.
Now, when it comes to safety, Suzuki doesn't mess around. All versions of the Fronx come with at least two airbags, ESP (electronic stability program), hill hold control, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The GLX adds front side airbags and side curtain airbags for extra cushioning.
And if you're worried about security, don't be. Every Fronx comes with a digital immobilizer and security alarm, so you can sleep soundly knowing your ride is safe.
But here's the cherry on top: when it comes to colors, Suzuki wants you to feel like an artist picking out paint for a masterpiece. Choose from Arctic White Pearl, Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic, Grandeur Grey Pearl Metallic, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic, and Bluish Black Pearl. It's like having a palette of flavors to choose from.
Now, for the part that makes your wallet do a happy dance. Suzuki is throwing in a 5-year/200,000 km promotional mechanical warranty and a 4-year/60,000 km service plan. Plus, they're sweetening the deal with a 5-year roadside assistance plan and a 6-year unlimited kilometer anti-corrosion warranty. It's like buying a Fronx is the automotive equivalent of hitting the jackpot.
So there you have it, the Suzuki Fronx, where style, performance, and value come together in one funky package. It's like the party you didn't know you were invited to, but now you're not going to want to leave. So, get ready to shape your new with the Fronx and make your driveway the coolest spot in town.
