With competition heating up in the Indian automobile industry, the country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki Indian (MSI), is planning to bring in several new and facelifted products this year. Along with a couple of facelifts, we’ll also see MSI venture into some new segments, including sub-compact SUV, compact crossover and premium hatchback. So if you are planning to buy a Maruti in the near future, here’s the list of the cars that MSI will launch.
a. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Compact SUV
First unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the Vitara is the production model of the iV-4 concept. Since the iV-4 shares its platform with the XA Alpha, it seems that the product coming to India will be the Vitara and not the XA Alpha. Also, now that Hyundai India has decided to bring in the ix25 compact SUV, which measures over 4 metres in length, Maruti Suzuki India might also consider launching the Vitara here. That said, those interested in mini SUVs need not worry since the company is already working on a different car that will be based on the iM4 concept. Showcased at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the vehicle is expected to be launched in the second half of this year.
Expected Launch: Second-Half of 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 7 lakh – Rs. 10 lakh
b. Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
This is yet another product that Maruti Suzuki is betting big on, though the segment it will enter isn’t as big in numbers as the others in the industry. Cars that we currently have in the hatchback-based crossover segment are VW Cross Polo, Toyota Etios Cross and Fiat Avventura. However, carmakers like Maruti and Hyundai, with some good products, can indeed generate volumes in this newly formed segment too.
The crossover will resemble the European S-Cross albeit with some exterior and mechanical updates. The SX4 S-Cross is expected to feature a new pair of engines – a 1.3-litre, 92bhp multijet diesel engine, and a 1.4-litre, 94bhp petrol engine.
Expected Launch: Mid 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 6 lakh – Rs. 8 lakh
c. Maruti Suzuki Celerio Diesel
Buoyed by the success of Celerio’s petrol model in the Indian market, MSI is now working on a diesel avatar of the entry-level hatchback. As we reported earlier, Maruti has been developing a small 800cc diesel engine for its entry-level hatchbacks and an LCV. It is expected to carry India’s most fuel-efficient engine that will return an impressive 35Km/l of mileage. However, the power output won’t be as impressive – it will offer 50-55bhp of maximum power. The Celerio Diesel will compete with Chevrolet Beat Diesel and Tata’s upcoming compact hatchback.
Expected Launch: First half of 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 4.5 lakh – Rs. 5.0 lakh
d. Maruti Suzuki YRA Premium Hatchback
With the aim to strengthen its premium hatchback market, Maruti will introduce the all-new YRA to take on the Hyundai Elite i20. To be positioned above Swift, the YRA will feature a wide honeycomb grille with V-shaped chrome surrounds and daytime running lamps will be offered as standard. Also, it will be wider and more spacious than the Swift. The Maruti YRA is expected to be offered in two petrol (a 1.2-litre and a 1.4-litre), and a diesel (1.3-litre) engine option. The diesel engine, though same as that of the Swift, will be tuned to offer more power.
Expected Launch: Second-half of 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 5.5 lakh – Rs. 9 lakh