Maruti Suzuki is expected to launch the badge-engineered version of the Toyota Innova Hycross and the seven-seater Grand Vitara in India
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) appears to be working on two seven-seater models for the domestic market. Recent reports suggest that the largest car producer in the country will bring in the three-row version of the Grand Vitara by the middle of this decade. It could be dubbed the Grand Vitara XL and upon arrival, it will become the flagship ICE SUV.
1. 7-Seater Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara:
The three-row Grand Vitara could be made available in six- and seven-seater configurations and it will continue to be underpinned by the Global C platform. It is also expected to share the engine options with the Grand Vitara as the 1.5L four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol and the 1.5-litre three-cylinder Atkinson Cycle TNGA petrol engine sourced from Toyota could be used.
The upcoming SUV will have visual revisions to differentiate itself from the regular Vitara. The strong hybrid petrol engine should give it a clear edge over its competitors with a claimed mileage of over 25 kmpl. It will take on Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus and Tata Safari while a slew of new seven-seater midsize SUVs is waiting in the pipeline.
The equipment list will comprise a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera system, automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, etc. Before the arrival of the bigger Grand Vitara, the Indo-Japanese manufacturer will more likely launch the cross-badged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross.
2. Maruti Suzuki C-MPV:
The premium MPV will likely become the first badge-engineered Toyota supplied to Maruti Suzuki. If it turns out to be the case, it could also be the first Maruti Suzuki model to feature ADAS based driver-assistive and safety technologies. It will be underpinned by the same modular TNGA-C platform and will be a front-wheel drive MPV.
Just like the Innova Hycross, it is expected to be available in seven- and eight-seater layouts and the performance will be derived from the 2.0L four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol and the 2.0L Atkinson Cycle TNGA strong hybrid petrol engine with a claimed fuel efficiency of just over 21 kmpl.