Automobile
Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki will launch four SUVs in next three years
Maruti Suzuki has confirmed to a business news outlet that it is putting in place a major SUV product offensive over the next three years. The country’s largest carmaker is set to launch four new SUVs, to add to its current line-up, over the next three years. Maruti hopes this will help it recover ground it has lost to rivals in this segment like Hyundai-Kia, Tata Motors and Mahindra.
Maruti Suzuki upcoming SUVs
Maruti Suzuki aims to cover the full mainstream SUV segments with these four products. The new model offensive will see a new offering in each of the popular SUV segments starting with the production version of the Futuro-E concept shown at Auto Expo 2020. This model, codenamed YTB, is expected to be a more stylish, coupe-ish alternative to the Vitara Brezza in the sub-four metre segment. It will be based on the Baleno and will compete at the premium end of the compact SUV market priced between Rs 8-12 lakh.
The next major offering, and possibly the most hotly anticipated one, is the Indian-spec Suzuki Jimny. The report suggests that Maruti Suzuki will bring the off-roader to India in its three-door as well as in a so-far unseen five-door variant. The Jimny will be positioned above the YTB to compete directly with the Thar and Gurkha and is rumoured to be priced between Rs 10 to 15 lakh. The two more premium offerings to sit above these two will be co-developed with Toyota. These will be a two-row mid-size SUV of 4.2m length to rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and MG Astor, codenamed the YFG. A longer 4.4m SUV, possibly an extended version of the YFG will cover the top of SUV segment, competing against the likes of the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700. These SUVs will not see any diesel options, with a mix of petrol, mild-hybrid and CNG powertrains to be used to power them.
Maruti Suzuki upcoming SUVs strategy, pricing
With the SUVs being sold in conjunction with Maruti Suzuki’s current UV offerings, Maruti Suzuki expects to sell 5 lakh more units on the back of these new models over the net 3 years. The company aims to have an offering at every Rs 50,000 interval in the Rs 10 to 20 lakh price range with its new range. Models like the Ignis, Vitara Brezza and Ertiga will continue to sell as part of this strategy and if the recent leaks suggest anything, all of these cars will also see heavy updates to bring in lost sales.
Automobile
Improved version of Hyundai Creta launched in Indian market: Check it out here
Hyundai India launched the much-awaited Creta Knight Edition in the country at a starting price of Rs 13.51 lakh (ex-showroom, all-India). This new variant is available in both petrol and diesel engine options and can be had either with a manual or an automatic transmission unit. To read more about the Creta Knight Edition, click here. In addition to this, the company has also introduced a model-year update for the Hyundai Creta with new feature additions.
The 2022 Hyundai Creta is now available in a new Denim Blue colour option and the Highline TPMS is now standard across all variants. The SX (O) trim now also gets a glossy black centre console. Furthermore, the company will offer the iMT option on the 1.5-litre petrol ‘S’ variant to further expand choices for the customers. The new S+ variant powered by a 1.4-litre T-GDi petrol engine with 7DCT now gets an additional set of features, such as –
– Smart panoramic sunroof
– 16-inch black alloy wheels
– Smartphone wireless charger
– Rear Disc Brakes
– Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
– Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
– Hill start assist control (HAC)
– Paddle shifters
– Metal pedals
– Electric and auto-folding ORVMs
– Power window auto up/down
Mechanically, the SUV continues to be powered by the existing petrol and diesel engine options.