Suzuki XBEE crossover wagon launched in Japan

Suzuki has launched its new XBEE in Japan – the cross-bee, as the moniker is pronounced, is a compact crossover wagon that made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. According to the automaker, it’s an offering that meets a wide range of lifestyle use, from city driving to leisure, outdoor activities, fusing the SUV driving performance with the spacious interior of a wagon.

The XBEE measures in a 3,760 mm long, 1,670 mm wide and 1,705 mm tall, with a 2,435 mm-long wheelbase. Sitting on a light and rigid new-generation platform dubbed Heartect, it’s available in two trim levels (MZ and MX) and in 2WD and 4WD forms.

All variants are powered by a K10C 1.0 litre direct-injection three-cylinder turbo engine, with a mild hybrid system in tow. Output figures from the twin-cam VVT unit are 99 PS at 5,500 rpm and 150 Nm from 1,700 to 4,000 rpm, while the mild hybrid system’s motor offers 3.1 PS at 1,000 rpm and 50 Nm at 100 rpm in the way of assist. Power is transferred to the road via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 4WD variant features two new driving modes (Sport and Snow) and also comes standard with Grip Control, which supports starting off in muddy and slippery roads, as well as Hill Descent Control.

Safety kit includes a 360-degree 3D View and Suzuki Safety Support, which includes a dual sensor brake support (DSBS) collision-mitigating system and a back-up brake support reverse traffic alert system, installed for the first time on a Suzuki compact car.

As shown in Tokyo, the XBEE looks capable of being highly customised – an assortment of design versions highlighted this promise. Outdoor Adventure added on an ivory exterior shade and wooden pattern panels, the latter also adorning the interior, while Street Adventure brought about contrasting colour accents for the exterior and map-themed panels for interior trim.

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