LONDON: Suzuki has launched its new 2.5-litre Across plug-in hybrid SUV, with a E-Four electronic 4×4 system and an all-electric driving range of 75km.
The Across is the first model from the Toyota-Suzuki joint venture, and based on the Toyota RAV4.
Sales will start in autumn of 2020 in Europe.
Exterior highlights include LED headlamps with a bi-beam projector (combining low and high beams), LED daytime running lights and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior was designed to evoke a sense of comfort, and features soft padding on the dashboard and door trims, and a 9-inch touchscreen display that works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.
The Across has a big 490-litre luggage compartment, in addition to storage spaces including driver’s and passenger’s side trays, centre tray, cupholders and a console box.
At the core of the plug-in hybrid system is a front electric motor that delivers torque at low speeds and combines with the 2.5-litre petrol engine for rapid acceleration at higher speeds.
With 134kW and 270Nm of torque, the electric motor draws its energy from an 18.1kWh (50.9 Ah) high capacity lithium ion battery that is mounted beneath the floor.
Paired to the electric motor is the A25A-FXS Dynamic Force engine, which functions as a charger for the battery and provides power assistance to the electric motor during high-speed driving if required.
The engine features both direct cylinder fuel injection (DI) and port fuel injection (PFI) that vary depending on driving conditions to raise output and fuel efficiency while lowering emissions.
The Plug-in Hybrid system is equipped with four modes—the default EV mode, Auto EV/HV mode, HV mode, and battery charger mode—which the driver can select depending on driving conditions and battery status.
In EV Mode the vehicle is driven entirely by the power of the electric motor even under full acceleration.
When in Auto EV/HV mode and HV mode, the engine contributes to power delivery when required, such as when the accelerator is pressed strongly.
To store electricity for EV mode when the charge is low, the battery charger mode runs the engine to re-charge the battery.
Some of the key safety features include driving assist functions such as Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), which use a millimeter-wave radar and monocular camera.
Keyword: Suzuki Across SUV based on Toyota RAV4: 75km all-electric range