Maruti to launch a new premium SUV to rival the Mahindra XUV/Tata Hexa

Maruti Suzuki is working on a new premium SUV that will be positioned above the Vitara Brezza. In terms of pricing, it’ll sit in the 10+ lakh rupee segment.  This SUV will take on the Mahindra XUV500 and Tata Hexa. Currently, the only such SUV in Suzuki’s global portfolio is the Vitara, which also sells in the UK, a key right-hand drive market. A year ago, the Vitara was also spotted at one of Maruti Suzuki’s factory in India.

The Grand Vitara, on the other hand, will soon be discontinued. Moreover, Just-Auto has reported that Suzuki has no plans to replace the Grand Vitara. Meanwhile, it remains unclear if Suzuki would develop an all-new SUV for the Indian market, or if it would go with the tried and tested Vitara – a vehicle that has been updated quite recently.

The latter seems more likely given the fact that Maruti Suzuki Chairman, Mr R.C. Bhargava has indicated an end-2019 launch for the new C-Segment SUV. This ambitious timeline doesn’t leave Suzuki much room for an all-new SUV. Here’s Mr. Bhargava’s statement,

The only place where we don’t have a product is a bigger SUV, and that is coming. I am not sure of the exact date, but probably by the end of 2019.

The Vitara is in its fourth generation globally, and was launched internationally in 2015. In terms of dimensions, the 5 seat, 4.2 meter-long SUV is more of a Hyundai Creta competitor than a Mahindra XUV rival. In terms of pricing though, it could rub shoulders with the XUV and Hexa given the fact that it currently sits above the S-Cross in international markets.

It is available with multiple engine options – a 1.6 liter naturally aspirated petrol (120 Bhp), a 1.4 liter BoosterJet turbo-petrol (140 Bhp) and a 1.6 liter Fiat Multijet turbo-diesel (120 Bhp). 5 and 6 speed manual, and 6 speed automatic transmission options are on offer. Both front wheel drive and four wheel drive (with multiple terrain modes) are also on offer.

Via ETAuto