The new Suzuki Celerio has just been launched and it takes to the Southern-African market with quite an ambitious claim. Should Suzuki’s claimed fuel consumption be correct, the Celerio will be the most fuel-efficient car on the current market.
Whether we like it or not, current global affairs are forcing oil prices to skyrocket, with many sources fearing that prices in South Africa might exceed the R40 mark by the end of 2022. Just over R21 currently, this will be a very worrying figure for many citizens.
However, Suzuki seems to promise that the new Celerio will come to our immediate rescue. Set to be even more fuel-efficient than the already proven outgoing model, the new Celerio will deliver a claimed fuel consumption of only 4.2l / 100km.
…only 4.2l / 100km.
To put this into perspective, many new hybrids (selling for more than twice as much as the Celerio), are only capable of 5.0 litres per 100km. Currently, other light fuel consumers such as the Renault Kwid, Peugeot 1008, Hyundai Atos, as well as even Suzuki’s own Espresso delivers a figure just above 5 litres per 100km.
Some might think that something has to give, but the Celerio has in fact grown in size and is now much longer (95mm) and wider (55mm) than its predecessor. This results in a boot space just under the 300 litres mark.
Being cheaper than the Swift, yet more expensive than the S-presso, the Celerio will start off at R174 900 for the GA model, with the GL manual selling for R194 900 and the GL automatic for R209 900.
The bottom-spec GA model even comes with air conditioning, power steering, keyless start, rear parking sensors, dual front airbags, ISOFIX seat anchors and ABS with EBD.
The GL models will feature the standard GA specifications, as well as 15 inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, electric windows, central locking, hill hold control and a 7 inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto.
Stay tuned for more information about our recent driving experience with the Celerio.
Text: Franco Theron and Nico Boshoff
Images: Suzuki Auto South Africa