The design of the Maruti Suzuki Engage’s headlamp, grille and taillamp has been leaked via patents suggesting the changes or the lack of them compared to Innova Hycross
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) will launch the Jimny lifestyle off-road SUV tomorrow in the domestic market and it will be offered in two variants namely Zeta and Alpha. Following the Jimny, the largest car producer in the country will bring in a new MPV, which will be based on the Toyota Innova Hycross, within the next two months.
It could be christened the Maruti Suzuki Engage as the name has been trademarked by the brand in India. It will become Maruti Suzuki’s flagship MPV and will be retailed only through the Nexa premium dealerships. However, the monthly sales numbers won’t be as high as the Innova Hycross as it could be considered a niche offering.
It will undoubtedly be slotted above the XL6 in the lineup. The Maruti Suzuki Engage will be the first cross-badged Toyota supplied to Maruti Suzuki and it could also be the first MSIL offering to be equipped with ADAS-based driver-assistive and safety features. The changes to the badge-engineered MPV are not officially known yet but the leaked images of the grille, headlamp and taillamp designs give us some idea of what is in store.
The front grille of the Maruti Suzuki flagship MPV takes inspiration from the recently launched Fronx compact SUV coupe and Grand Vitara midsize SUV. One of the twin horizontal chrome bars is confined within the grille while the other extends outwards to connect the sharp LED headlamps that look similar to the Toyota Innova Hycross.
The signature Suzuki badge is grafted on the dual slats while the inserts have a peculiar finish. The Engage will retain the rear design of the Innova Hycross and we can expect the same alloy wheels found in its Japanese sibling to be present as well.
It will be underpinned by the modular TNGA-C platform as the front-wheel drive monocoque MPV will derive power from a 2.0L four-cylinder petrol or a 2.0L strong hybrid petrol engine. The interior will be a lot similar to the Toyota Innova Hycross but expect some minor upholstery and thematic changes.