India’s largest automaker Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will be bringing in a new premium MPV to the Indian market. Based on the Toyota Innova Hycross, the new vehicle according to a media report is slated to go on sale by July 2023 and will become the brand's flagship model. We take a closer look.
Maruti Suzuki Premium MPV: First Rebadged Toyota for Maruti Suzuki in India
As just mentioned, the upcoming premium MPV will essentially be a rebadged version of Toyota’s Innova Hycross. The auto giant confirmed this with Maruti Suzuki’s Chairman RC Bhargava stating, “We will be sourcing a vehicle from Toyota; it's a strong hybrid, three-row, top-of-the-line kind of vehicle in terms of price. I don't think the volume will be very large but it's a path-breaking vehicle in a sense because of its carbon-friendly hybrid tech. It will come in roughly two months or so."
The new premium MPV will be the first Toyota product to be rebadged by Maruti Suzuki for India. It will be sold exclusively through its Nexa dealership chain as the brand’s new flagship model. Since the Suzuki-Toyota global joint venture started in 2017, Toyota sold rebadged versions of the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno in India as the Urban Cruiser and Glanza respectively. Toyota also offers slightly different variants of the Celerio hatchback and Ertiga MPV in some markets like the Middle East and South Africa. Meanwhile in Europe, Suzuki sells two models, the A-Cross and the Swace, that are based on Toyota’s RAV-4 and the Corolla Wagon.
Maruti Suzuki Premium MPV: What is Different?
Expect the upcoming premium MPV to differ in exterior styling from the Innova Hycross. Changes will include an all-new front grille, redesigned headlights with LED DRLs, and a different bumper. The side profile will stay relatively unchanged while the rear may feature a unique tail lamp design with the Nexa theme similar to the ones seen on the recently launched Fronx.
Moving inside, the vehicle will provide a different dual-tone interior theme. While the Innova Hycross offers a brown and black colour scheme, Maruti’s version may get a beige and black scheme instead.
Maruti Suzuki Premium MPV: Powertrain Details
Maruti is expected to offer the four-wheeler with the same powertrain options as the Innova Hycross. This includes a 2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol that makes 172 bhp with 205 Nm of peak torque. There is also a strong-hybrid option that pairs with a 2-litre petrol engine offering an electric motor. Combined, the power output stands at 184 bhp with 209 Nm torque. Transmission options would likely include a CVT or e-CVT automatic gearbox.
Maruti Premium MPV: Launch and Pricing
The manufacturer has stated that the new MPV is slated to be launched by July 2023. Prices are expected to start from around Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom), similar to the Toyota Innova Hycross.
Read Also: Maruti Suzuki Fronx Launched at Rs 7.46 Lakh in India
