The new Vauxhall Agila

Vauxhall has revealed first details of its new Suzuki-designed Agila city car which goes on sale next spring.

Its twin-model is the Suzuki Splash which is produced at the Japanese manufacturer's Hungary plant along with the SX4 and Swift. Suzuki provides its Splash models to General Motors, Vauxhall's parent company. The Splash will also go on sale in the UK next spring.

Agila customers will be able to choose from three new engines and an automatic gearbox will be available for the first time. The two petrol units are expected to be the top sellers; a 1.0-litre three-cylinder with 63bhp and a 1.2-litre four-cylinder with 84bhp. The larger unit is available with the automatic gearbox.

The Agila will have the same 73bhp 1.3-litre engine as its Corsa sister-model.

The new car is available as a five-door only. The seats in the back can be folded flat for extra space. The Splash will be available with two different petrol engines: a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, 12-valve unit with maximum power of 48kW (65hp) and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve unit with maximum power of 63kW (86hp). Customers preferring a diesel engine can choose a 1.3-litre, common rail, 16-valve unit with optional particulate filter and a maximum power of 55kW (75hp).

The diesel engine will be produced at Suzuki’s plant in India under licence from GM Powertrain Europe.

Suzuki aims to sell up to 60,000 units per year of the Splash in Europe.

The Agila and Splash will make thier public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will arrive in the UK early next year. Prices and full specifications will be revealed nearer the launch.

The new Suzuki Splash