Maruti Suzuki in India has unveiled its new XL6 and Suzuki Auto South Africa says it is “studying” the feasibility of introducing the fresh-faced six-seater locally.
Effectively based on the second-generation Ertiga MPV but with crossover-inspired styling (and one fewer seat), the new Suzuki XL6 is powered by the Japanese firm’s familiar K15 petrol engine.
In India, this naturally aspirated 1,5-litre unit offers 77 kW and 138 N.m (the same outputs produced in the aforementioned Ertiga), and can be mated with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.
The XL6 measures 4 445 mm long (which interestingly makes it some 50 mm lengthier than the Ertiga), 1 775 mm wide and 1 700 mm tall, while its wheelbase comes in at 2 740 mm (the same distance between the Ertiga’s axles).
The second row of seats comprises a pair of captain’s chairs, while the third row (complete with a reclining function) accommodates three passengers. Suzuki says the XL6 boasts ventilated cup holders, an overhead console, accessory sockets for each row and rear air-conditioning vents.
With all seats in place, Suzuki claims a luggage space figure of 209 litre, while folding the second and third rows down apparently liberates 692 litres of utility room.
The Indian-spec XL6 features a seven-inch touchscreen arrangement as well as dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix child-seat anchors and rear parking sensors, with automatic variants furthermore gaining an electronic stability programme and a hill-hold function.
