Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 7 seater launching this year: To challenge Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar

Following the recent comments from the Executive Director at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Shashank Srivastava wherein he stated the company aims to capture 50 percent of the market share in the SUV segment, there has been a new revelation. According to reports it has been stated that the country’s largest automaker has started developing a seven-seater SUV that will be based on the brand’s newly launched compact SUV Grand Vitara. Once launched, this new SUV will be taking on the rivals like the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari.

As per the reports, the company has given this SUV the codename Maruti Y17, and as was already known, it would be based on the newly released Grand Vitara. This SUV will presumably have a somewhat longer wheelbase to make room for the third row. The SUV could also receive some stylistic changes to give it a more distinctive appearance and set it apart from its two-row sibling.

Also read: Coming soon: Tata Safari Dark Edition

Regarding the drivetrain, this SUV may potentially be supplied with two powerplant options, similar to the Grand Vitara. A mild hybrid will be the first choice, while a strong hybrid will be the second. The mild hybrid with manual transmission will be available, much like the Grand all-wheel drive option. The Grand Vitara currently offers this powerplant with a 5-speed manual and a 6-speedspeed torque converter automatic transmission. The Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System (SHVS) mild hybrid unit supports the 1.5 litre, 4-cylinder K15C petrol engine, which has 102 horsepower and 137 pound-feet of torque. The mild hybrid also has an idle-stop system and brake energy regeneration.

It may very well also receive the strong hybrid drivetrain, which combines the 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine with 91 bhp and 122 nm of torque with a 78 bhp-141 nm electric motor. With these two working together, 114 Bhp is the total output. The Grand Vitara can be driven on battery power for roughly 25 kilometers thanks to the powerful hybrid powertrain’s all-electric mode. The Strong Hybrid Grand Vitara models have front-wheel drive and come standard with a CVT automatic transmission. One of the strongest hybrid’s selling features is its 28 Kmpl fuel economy, which outperforms diesel and will help this seven seater SUV to have an edge over its competitors.

Additionally, sources have claimed that the company would start producing this three-row SUV at Maruti’s brand-new facility in Kharkhoda, Haryana. By the year 2025, this new factory will be up and running, and this new SUV is anticipated to be the first product to be mass manufactured there. The building and completion of this factory will cost more over Rs 7,000 crore, according to Maruti Suzuki’s estimated budget for FY23.

Maruti Suzuki is betting big like always with this new Kharkhoda plant and it is anticipated that it will begin producing 2,50,000 units annually after its commencement. By combining this with its Manesar and Gurugram manufacturing facilities, the company would have a total annual production capacity of two million automobiles by 2028. Sources have also added that company is planning for a volume of over 1.2 lakh units per year for this SUV.

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