Maruti Suzuki C-MPV will more likely be a badge-engineered version of the upcoming Toyota Innova Hycross; launch possible in H2 2023
Maruti Suzuki has had a busy 2022 with new launches in quick succession. The largest car producer in the country expanded its domestic range with the arrival of the heavily revised Baleno, updated Ertiga and XL6, new generation Brezza, all-new Alto K10 and more recently the Grand Vitara midsize SUV which competes against Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
The Indo-Japanese manufacturer is currently working on an SUV coupe based on the Baleno premium hatchback’s Heartect platform and is expected to make its global debut at the 2023 Auto Expo in January before going on sale. The five-door Maruti Suzuki Jimny could also be showcased at the motoring show and it will more likely be launched in the first half of 2023.
Recent reports indicate that Maruti Suzuki will bring in an all-new C-segment MPV that will be slotted above the existing Ertiga and XL6. It will be the first cross-badged Toyota supplied to Maruti Suzuki. The premium MPV is nothing but the badge-engineered version of the upcoming Innova Hycross, which will be unveiled at the beginning of next month in Indonesia.
The Innova Hycross is believed to go on sale early next year in India and it will be sold alongside the second-generation Innova Crysta, which currently rules the segment. The Innova Hycross (or Innova Zenix in Indonesia) has already been caught testing a number of times on public roads and it will have a brand new design language.
It will have a heavily revised interior and a more advanced features list. In a similar fashion to the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the Maruti Suzuki version will have a unique exterior while sharing the platform and mechanicals. Thus, the modular TNGA-C architecture with an FWD configuration and a strong hybrid petrol mill could be available.
As for the equipment, a floating touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging facility, automatic climate control, cruise control, ADAS-based safety and assistive tech, a panoramic sunroof, powered seats, electric tailgate, connected car features, cooled glovebox, etc are highly likely.