Suzuki badge on a Toyota base
Suzuki is pretty up-front in saying that the A-Cross (Across?) is 'the first model supplied from Toyota Motor Corporation under the collaborative business agreement between Toyota and Suzuki.' Essentially, it's a RAV4 with a Suzuki S badge where the Toyota swirl would normally sit, and some small styling tweaks such as a new grille and lights.
Those lights come with LED bulbs, a 'bi-beam' projector system, and daytime running lights. The distinctive alloy wheels are 19-inch units, with a black gloss coating and a distinctive polished face. You'll be able to choose your A-Cross in six colours - White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Sensual Red Mica, Grey Metallic and Dark Blue Mica.
Nine-inch infotainment screen
The interior is, yet again, identical to that of the RAV4, save for the Suzuki badge on the steering wheel, and some slightly different instrument graphics. The nine-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Rather more importantly, there's the plug-in hybrid system, which uses the familiar Toyota 2.5-litre petrol engine, aided by a 134kW electric motor up front, and a separate 40kW motor between the rear wheels. They draw power from an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery. That should be enough, when fully charged, to give the A-Cross a 75km electric-only range. When used together, the electric motors and the petrol engine give a combined 302hp, so performance should be pretty sprightly.
Electric four-wheel drive
The rear electric motor means that the A-Cross can have four-wheel drive without the need for a propshaft or a transfer box, and as much as 80 per cent of the system's total torque can be directed at the rear wheels. There's a 'Trail Mode' for when you fancy venturing off-road, and safety systems that include lane-keeping steering, pre-collision warning and emergency braking, active cruise control, and more.
Sales of the A-Cross (Across? ACROSS?) start in Europe in the autumn.
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