Based on the kei-car sized 660cc Hustler crossover, Suzuki has revealed its bigger non-kei-class-regulated brother, the XBEE.

Pronounced as "cross-bee", the car appeared first as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show a few months ago and is now going to go into production with sales starting in Japan first.

Said to combine the “spacious cabin of a wagon and the fun of an SUV,” the Xbee is being launched exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, based around a direct-injected 97bhp 1.0-litre three cylinder turbocharged engine that is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and is available with either two- or four-wheel drive.

Using a new rigid new-generation platform dubbed Heartect, the car is also equipped with a mild hybrid system that outputs 3bhp and 50Nm.

Elsewhere, the Suzuki Safety Support system which includes a new reverse brake traffic alert system, is installed for the first time on a Suzuki compact car.

The compact car maker targets to sell around 2,000 of them every month in its home market and prices range from S$21k onwards.