If it came to Australia, the Suzuki Across would be the brand's largest model and first plug-in hybrid.
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Suzuki Australia sees the Across SUV – a Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid under the skin – would be a ‘great car’ for the Australian market.
Available only for the European market – including the right-hand drive United Kingdom – the Suzuki Across is essentially a Toyota Rav4 Prime plug-in hybrid with adjusted styling.
“It’s a larger car than anything we have in our product portfolio in Australia, so obviously there would be demand for another Suzuki in a larger segment. And there is quite a high demand for that segment in Australia itself.” Michael Pachota, general manager for Suzuki Australia, told Drive.
“The whole purpose of the introduction of that car into the European market market was based upon the conditions of the emissions structure and control of the European market at the time.” Pachota continued.
“There was a joint decision between Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation at the time to join forces and do that.”
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are experiencing high demand in Australia at the moment, as carmakers grapple with the penalties-and-credits NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Scheme) that punish higher-polluting non-hybrid vehicles and sluggish electric car uptake.
Using Toyota’s plug-in hybrid technology, The Suzuki Across has 74 kilometres of electric-only driving range from a 18.1 kWh battery, along with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 55-litre fuel tank.
“I can’t say it’s not part of the plan.” Pachota said, referring to Suzuki Australia’s future plans.
“But at the same time, I haven’t been advised of anything from Suzuki Motor Corporation to say that it will be part of our plan in Australia.”
“With that said, it would be a great car for us. But, it doesn’t look like we’re getting it any time soon.”
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Sam Purcell has been writing about cars, four-wheel driving and camping since 2013, and obsessed with anything that goes brum-brum longer than he can remember. Sam joined the team at CarAdvice/Drive as the off-road Editor in 2018, after cutting his teeth at Unsealed 4X4 and Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures. Off-road writer of the Year, Winner - Sam Purcell
