With the rising success of budget crossovers in the global market, Maruti Suzuki is looking to capitalise by releasing five more models to its current extensive line-up. It’s understood that the brand is currently working on a rival for the Hyundai Creta, among other segments.
According to information sourced by Autocar India, some of the products will be jointly developed with Toyota and major updates will be made to existing models. This strategy is being implemented with the hopes of winning back lost market share in India which has dropped to 43,5 per cent over the last year.
The Suzuki Jimny has been greenlit for an India launch now that production has commenced. This updated will include the highly anticipated five-door model which will feature a longer wheelbase and will be around 3,8 metres long.
While this puts the Jimny in the under-four-metre compact SUV category, its 1,5-litre petrol engine will not be eligible for the additional tax benefits available in the local market. Maruti Suzuki is understood to position the upcoming Jimny as practical alternative to the Mahindra Thar. The manufacturer has also begun assembling right-hand drive versions of the three-door for export.
Next year, the Brezza will launch the crossover offensive of Maruti Suzuki. We can expect to see a market introduction in early 2022. The all-new model will maintain the same platform but introduce a drastic redesign both inside and out. Beneath the bonnet we can expect the 1,5-litre petrol engine to remain with the option of hybridisation.
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza will be loaded with many upmarket features like a sunroof, larger infotainment screen, wireless charging and a sim-based connectivity suite. Automatic versions will come with paddle shifters, among other features.
All new to the Maruti Suzuki stable will be another compact crossover that is currently in the works. This model will be positioned at the premium end of the compact crossover market with the Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet market as key competitors.
This product is understood to make use of the Baleno’s Heartect platform and to have the same 1,5-litre petrol mill but with a larger battery hybrid-electric system. We can expect this product to boast a coupe-styled roof, sportier stance and SUV-like cladding.
Touted to be the next-gen Vitara is a new Creta rival from Maruti Suzuki. This product will be around 4,3 metres long and employ Daihatsu’s DNGA modular platform. This model will essentially be a rebadged Toyota product. While the SUVs for each of the brands will share common underpinnings, they will have distinctive styling. The mainstay of the range is likely to be a 1,5-litre petrol with a higher degree of electrification with no diesel option
An all-new three-row seater flagship crossover will be the final piece of the Maruti Suzuki strategy.Not much is known about this product, but industry sources speculate that it is an Alcazar rival that could be based on the Ertiga’s platform.
