Suzuki Solio and S-Cross launch

[Sweeney]

Actually Suzuki recently launched a car with an automated manual gear box (not a twin clutch).

http://overdrive.in/news/maruti-suzuki-celerio-decoding-automated-manual-transmission/

 

 

Fiat has had their version called Duologic for years. I can attest to the jerkiness that comes with the box. I had always thought it was because of poorly thought-out gear ratios. Have lived with it for 9 years now in my Fiat Idea though. So going smooth and strong.

 

Having said that, the duologic marries the convenience and efficiency of a manual with the convenience of not having to shift the gears. Good fun to be able to select lower gears to take corners or to use as engine brake if necessary. Pop it down a gear or two to overtake with the accompanying roar of a down-shift. The gear box 'protects' itself cos it wouldn't allow you to drop too many gears (or up for that matter) if it is outside the parameters of its safe operating zones. The penalty is an additional 30kg for the electro-hydraulic shifting mechanism that sits conspicuously in the front cabin.

 

Was looking at the S-Cross for sometime next year as a possible replacement. I am taken by the space and ride qualities, but not too sold on the CVT and the NA engine choice. Would prefer a bit more tech in the engine department.

[Hotnyh]

Not sure if the Idea and the little Panda used the same kind of gearbox but I did drive the Panda in 2008 while hunting for my wife's car. I was actually quite impressed at the smoothness of the gear change. I thought I would have to lift off the power to change gears smoothly but it was fine with me just stepping on it like an auto box. I also tested a Fiesta at around the same time which was not so smooth,

 

The Suzuki CVT (the one in my current Suzuki is made by Gatco and is similar to the one in the Murano) comes with the paddle shifters so when I get tired of hearing the CVT droning, I manually change the gears. Usually don't bother to unless I am shifting down for sharp turns and making quick stops. It is very smooth shifting with almost no shift shock.

 

I don't mind the so called rubber-band feel; I've become used to it from my previous car (Civic Hybrid) but the down side to me is the low speed acceleration droning noise. In other respects I love the CVT... smooth, always in the right gear for slopes and better FC.

 

Little crossovers are all the rage now it seems.... S-Cross vs CX-3 vs Vezel/ HRV. All are nice. The S-Cross equipment is fantastic but the other two just look nicer to me. Have to see prices and equipment levels to decide I think.

Edited November 21, 2014 by Hotnyh

[Chucky2007]

Colt plus turbo, cvt or 6spd tiptronic mode. Up gear = +, down = -.

whats the max speed u had tried on your previous CPT? My colt plus cut off 180 at 6000+rpm

[Fuelsaver]

whats the max speed u had tried on your previous CPT? My colt plus cut off 180 at 6000+rpm

nvr try cos nvr brig to msia, here i oni max at 130kph. i usually let it pick up by its own from 2.5k - 3.5k rpm, occasionally used S mode.

[Sweeney]

Not sure if the Idea and the little Panda used the same kind of gearbox but I did drive the Panda in 2008 while hunting for my wife's car. I was actually quite impressed at the smoothness of the gear change. I thought I would have to lift off the power to change gears smoothly but it was fine with me just stepping on it like an auto box. I also tested a Fiesta at around the same time which was not so smooth,

 

The Suzuki CVT (the one in my current Suzuki is made by Gatco and is similar to the one in the Murano) comes with the paddle shifters so when I get tired of hearing the CVT droning, I manually change the gears. Usually don't bother to unless I am shifting down for sharp turns and making quick stops. It is very smooth shifting with almost no shift shock.

 

I don't mind the so called rubber-band feel; I've become used to it from my previous car (Civic Hybrid) but the down side to me is the low speed acceleration droning noise. In other respects I love the CVT... smooth, always in the right gear for slopes and better FC.

 

Little crossovers are all the rage now it seems.... S-Cross vs CX-3 vs Vezel/ HRV. All are nice. The S-Cross equipment is fantastic but the other two just look nicer to me. Have to see prices and equipment levels to decide I think.

 

I think the gearbox should be the same. I agree with your observation on the upshifts, just contine with accelerator while you upshift manually is perfectly fine.

 

CVT sounds like great technology, competing with DSGs, Dulogic/ Selespeed, and all others. Competition is good, I guess, for the consumer. I like a little (lot?) of tech in my cars, thus was looking at contis for quite a while. Looking at Suzuki cos of pricing vis-a-vis equipment level and all the other parameters. In an ideal world, would have preferred tiny turbo-charged engines with hi-tech gearboxes and even diesel turbos but these come at a (hefty) price of course. So the heart and the head are in opposite directions.

 

I am not too fond of the S-cross looks too, initially I thought it was fugly, but guess the sentiment is changing slooowly. Lookers tend to be also more expensive, in the real world. So the dilemma again, really. It's a crazy motoring world in SG right now.

[Hotnyh]

I don't think the S-Cross of fugly but it's not quite right.
My wife thinks it actually looks nice but I am neutral.

The Vezel just looks better especially from the rear doors backwards.

But Kudos to Champion for bringing in a full spec version of the car. Kah usually brings in stripped out versions of their Cat A cars. If I had to choose between a bare bones HR-V vs a good spec PI Vezel vs S-Cross, the first car I will drop is the HR-V. Choosing between the PI car and AD S-Cross is a bit more difficult but would probably go for the AD car as I am quite happy with the service support I get from Champion.

C'mon Kah, give us a competitively priced, well-specced HR-V!

 

[Baal]

saw a S cross on the road from the rear a few meters away. Looks bigger than SX4. About the size of Vezel.

But styling wise from rear, appears to be more boxy/angular.

[Weezersg]

Anybody here own the S cross or test drove one can give a mini review?

Already saw plenty of vezel on the road. Today I saw the first black S cross at jln bukit merah. Look wise I feel it is quite nondescript, I was looking at its rear, on video S cross looks quite alright to me.

 

I am also looking at 1.2T Qashqai. Lookwise I feel got more 'presence' and more updated.

 

Hmmm ...pricewise about the same?

[Porche]

Anybody here own the S cross or test drove one can give a mini review?

Already saw plenty of vezel on the road. Today I saw the first black S cross at jln bukit merah. Look wise I feel it is quite nondescript, I was looking at its rear, on video S cross looks quite alright to me.

 

I am also looking at 1.2T Qashqai. Lookwise I feel got more 'presence' and more updated.

 

Hmmm ...pricewise about the same?

Test drive the Qashqai 1.2T, very continental setting. Drive is good. Price at $125800 and nego with freebies.

[Micb]

Anybody here own the S cross or test drove one can give a mini review?

Already saw plenty of vezel on the road. Today I saw the first black S cross at jln bukit merah. Look wise I feel it is quite nondescript, I was looking at its rear, on video S cross looks quite alright to me.

 

I am also looking at 1.2T Qashqai. Lookwise I feel got more 'presence' and more updated.

 

Hmmm ...pricewise about the same?

I test drove it recently, like the feel and handling. It has a typical conti feel (this model assembled in Hungary), doesn't feel like the Suzuki of yesteryear.

 

The specs are comprehensive too, I'm quite impress by the whole package, EXCEPT the price and the sales person. It will do well if priced lower, at 120k+, we can go for the Qashqai 1.2T or top up 10k+ for an entry Audi (133k+, recently) or others more "premium" models.

 

Will probably look at this model if COE drops lower or pricing revised lower.

[Weezersg]

I test drove it recently, like the feel and handling. It has a typical conti feel (this model assembled in Hungary), doesn't feel like the Suzuki of yesteryear.

 

The specs are comprehensive too, I'm quite impress by the whole package, EXCEPT the price and the sales person. It will do well if priced lower, at 120k+, we can go for the Qashqai 1.2T or top up 10k+ for an entry Audi (133k+, recently) or others more "premium" models.

 

Will probably look at this model if COE drops lower or pricing revised lower.

 

Is the s cross price high because it has 4WD , i think qashqai 1.2T is 2WD.

Worth getting s cross for the 4WD?

 

I read some reviews in UK qashqai owner forum...they gave not very good ratings while for s cross it dont look outstanding at first glance, the reliabity is there

[Micb]

 

Is the s cross price high because it has 4WD , i think qashqai 1.2T is 2WD.

Worth getting s cross for the 4WD?

 

I read some reviews in UK qashqai owner forum...they gave not very good ratings while for s cross it dont look outstanding at first glance, the reliabity is there

 

The s-cross 2WD is at 119.9k while the 4WD is 126.9K. There are good reviews on the s-cross in europe and taiwan, apparently.

 

I will be keen if the 2WD is in the range of 110k. But that will mean the COE has to decrease by 8k, at least?

[Eighttales]

S-cross 4WD's review is out

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=830

[Kv3n]

Saw the review... Looks like it is a nice car. Clean and neat interior though price could be a little lower

[Advancer]

True at this price, I rather go for the 1.2 qashqai.

[alexneo72]

Hi, any bro here own S cross? How is the ride? Need feedback as thinking getting S cross or Qashqai

[Hotnyh]

 

The new Vitara - mechanically very similar to the S-Cross but with a proper 6 speed autobox and with even more equipment (like front proximity sensing radar), should be here in Q3 of 2015. I like that Evoque nose but not the rear so much.

Review here-

http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=847

 

[Duckduck]

anyone driven the solio? looks like a good van alternative